![]() Halsey's letter praised French for his "meritorious conduct in action," which he said "was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service." William Halsey, according to the Swimming Hall of Fame article. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds.īut the only official recognition he received came in the form of a 1943 letter of commendation from Southern Pacific Fleet commander Adm. I froze and tried to surface and float, my feet outta the water."Īfter the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the "Human Tugboat." He received a hero's welcome in his sister's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. "I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks my feet. "I got the hell scared outta me," French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book "Black Men and Blue Water," in an interview after the Korean War. He was a powerful swimmer and towed the raft for somewhere between six and eight hours throughout the night, until a landing craft discovered and rescued them.Īfter he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed.īut French said he wasn't afraid. That's when French - a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch - volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fame's website. ![]() ![]() Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft.
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