IDKMYDE: Charles Jackson French

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club - Episode IDKMYDE: Charles Jackson French

Release Date: February 22, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Description: The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God delve into the extraordinary yet largely forgotten heroism of Charles Jackson French. Released on February 22, 2025, this episode aims to shed light on a courageous individual whose actions during World War II merit recognition and admiration.

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Unveiling a Hidden Hero

[02:08] Unknown Speaker:

"On today's episode, if I didn't know, maybe you didn't either. I want to tell you about a hero you probably won't find in most history books. His name was Charles Jackson French..."

The episode begins by introducing Charles Jackson French, a 20-year-old U.S. Navy sailor whose heroic deeds during WWII remain obscure in mainstream history.

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Heroic Acts During WWII

[02:22] Unknown Speaker:

"He grabbed a rope, tied it around his waist, and then started swimming. And I'm not talking about for a couple of minutes. I'm talking hours."

Charles Jackson French served aboard the USS Gregory when Japanese forces attacked, leaving sailors stranded and vulnerable in the vast ocean. Demonstrating remarkable bravery, French took decisive action to save his fellow sailors.

[02:45] Unknown Speaker:

"He pulled that life raft full of injured men through dangerous open water... these waters were known for having sharks."

French didn't just endure the physical hardships of swimming for hours; he faced the imminent threat of sharks and enemy patrols, showcasing extraordinary resilience and determination.

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Facing Multiple Threats

[03:10] Unknown Speaker:

"Japanese forces were patrolling, searching for survivors to capture or kill. The men on the life raft was telling them stop, begging them to let him go. But he refused."

Beyond the natural dangers, French also had to navigate the peril of enemy reconnaissance, refusing to surrender even under dire circumstances. His unwavering commitment ensured the safety of those he was rescuing.

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Lack of Recognition and Legacy

[04:00] Unknown Speaker:

"You'd think someone that brave, that selfless, would be celebrated like a hero, right? But back then, America wasn't exactly handing out medals to black men, no matter how heroic they were."

Despite his heroism, French's contributions were largely overlooked due to the racial prejudices of the time. The episode highlights the systemic barriers that prevented many Black heroes from receiving the recognition they deserved.

[04:30] Unknown Speaker:

"Charles Jackson French showed us what real courage looks like. He didn't wait for someone to save him. Nah. He became the savior."

French's legacy serves as an inspiring testament to individual courage and selflessness, encouraging listeners to embody these values in their own lives.

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Inspirational Takeaway

[05:00] Unknown Speaker:

"When it's your time to step up, don't hesitate. Be the hero. Even if nobody's watching. Even if it's hard, even if you don't get the credit, do what's right."

The episode concludes with a powerful message, urging listeners to act courageously and righteously, irrespective of recognition or reward. Charles Jackson French’s story is portrayed as a beacon of true heroism that transcends time.

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Conclusion

The Breakfast Club successfully brings to the forefront the story of Charles Jackson French, a true hero whose bravery during WWII exemplifies the highest ideals of self-sacrifice and courage. By highlighting his story, the hosts not only honor his memory but also inspire a new generation to recognize and emulate such valor.

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Notable Quotes

• Unknown Speaker [02:22]:

  "He grabbed a rope, tied it around his waist, and then started swimming. And I'm not talking about for a couple of minutes. I'm talking hours."

• Unknown Speaker [04:30]:

  "Charles Jackson French showed us what real courage looks like. He didn't wait for someone to save him. Nah. He became the savior."

• Unknown Speaker [05:00]:

  "When it's your time to step up, don't hesitate. Be the hero. Even if nobody's watching. Even if it's hard, even if you don't get the credit, do what's right."

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Additional Notes

While the primary focus of the episode is on Charles Jackson French, the transcript includes several advertisements and promos for other podcasts, such as "Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli," "Here’s The Thing" with Alec Baldwin, "Good Moms Bad Choices," and the "Yellowstone Podcast." These segments, timestamped at various intervals, are promotional content and do not pertain to the main narrative about Charles Jackson French.

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Listeners who seek an engaging and informative exploration of an unsung hero’s legacy will find this episode both enlightening and inspiring. Charles Jackson French's remarkable story serves as a poignant reminder of the countless acts of bravery that history may overlook but which continue to shape our understanding of courage and sacrifice.

Transcript

[Mark Seal]

Marc. I'm Mark Seale.

[Nathan King]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Mark Seal]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli.

[Bobby Bones]

The five families did not want us.

[Mark Seal]

To shoot that picture.

[Nathan King]

This podcast is based on my co host Mark Seale's best selling book of the same title. Leave the Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire, and many others.

[Mark Seal]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[Nathan King]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mark Seal]

Hey, it's Alec Baldwin. This past season on my podcast, here's the thing, I spoke with more actors, musicians, policymakers, and so many other fascinating people like writer and actor Dan Aykroyd.

[Dan Aykroyd]

I love writing more than anything. You're left alone, you know, you do three hours in the morning, you write three hours in the afternoon. Go pick up a kid from school and write at night. And after nine hours you come out with seven pages and. And then you're moving on.

[Mark Seal]

Listen to here's the thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Erica and Mila]

The OGs of uncensored motherhood are back and badder than ever. I'm Erica. And I'm Mila and we're the hosts of the Good Moms Bad Choices podcast brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network every Wednesday. Yeah, we're moms, but not your mommy. Historically, men talk too much and women have quietly listened. And all that stops here. If you like witty women, then this is your try. Listen to the Good Mom's Bad Choices podcast every Wednesday on the Black Effect podcast network, the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you go to find your podcast.

[Bobby Bones]

Calling all Yellowstone fans, let's go to work. Join Bobby Bones on the official Yellowstone Podcast for exclusive cast interviews, behind the scenes insights, and a deep dive into the themes that have made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon.

[Erica and Mila]

Our family legacy is this ranch and.

[Bobby Bones]

Our protector of my life. Listen to the official Yellowstone Podcast now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown Speaker]

On today's episode, if I didn't know, maybe you didn't either. I want to tell you about a hero you probably won't find in most history books. His name was Charles Jackson French, and in 1942, during World War II, he did something that movies are made of. But the crazy thing is, most people don't even know his name. Now, before I get into it, let me ask y'all. Who remembers the Montgomery brawl? Yeah, y'all remember that viral moment when Buddy was on the dock in Montgomery, threw his hat up in the air and did the black signal? And then black folk came through with them chairs and beat the wheels off them white folk. Y'all remember that one black dude they call Aquamaine? Cause he swam across the water ready to throw them hands. Well, imagine a real life version of that. Except wasn't no chairs. And instead of swimming to a fight, the man was swimming to save lives. Well, Charles Jackson French, he was the original black Aquaman. Picture this. He was just 20 years old. He was a U.S. navy sailor on a ship called the USS Gregory. And then the Japanese forces attacked it. They tow that ship up, sailors were left stranded in the middle of the ocean, some of them wounded, floating on a life raft. Now, this is where French's story gets legendary. He didn't panic. He didn't run. He grabbed a rope, tied it around his waist, and then started swimming. And I'm not talking about for a couple of minutes. I'm talking hours. He pulled that life raft full of injured men through dangerous open water. And to make it even more insane, these waters were known for. For having sharks. Helluva think about that. Imagine swimming in the dark, exhausted, your arms and legs burning, knowing at any moment, something could be lurking right up under you. And still he kept going. French wasn't just fighting off sharks. He was dodging the enemy, too. Japanese forces were patrolling, searching for survivors to capture or kill. The men on the life raft was telling them stop, begging them to let him go. But he refused. He swam until they made it to safety. Now, you'd think someone that brave, that selfless, would be celebrated like a hero, right? But back then, America wasn't exactly handing out medals to black men, no matter how heroic they were. His story almost got drowned. But we're here today to make sure his name is remembered. Charles Jackson French showed us what real courage looks like. He ain't wait for someone to save him. Nah. He became the savior. And if there's anything you can take from this story, let it be this. When it's your time to step up, don't hesitate. Be the hero. Even if nobody's watching. Even if it's hard, even if you don't get the credit, do what's right. Because history may not always recognize you at first, but the truth never fades. So today, let's remember Charles Jackson French. A real one. A legend. A hero. Someone that I didn't know. Maybe you didn't either. I didn't know.

[Mark Seal]

I'm Mark Seal.

[Nathan King]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Mark Seal]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli. The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[Nathan King]

This podcast is based on my co host Mark Seale's best selling book of the same title. Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire, and many others.

[Mark Seal]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[Nathan King]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mark Seal]

Hey, it's Alec Baldwin. This past season on my podcast, here's the thing, I spoke with more actors, musicians, policymakers, and so many other fascinating people like writer and actor Dan Aykroyd.

[Dan Aykroyd]

I love writing more than anything. You're left alone, you know, you do three hours in the morning, you write three hours in the afternoon. Go pick up a kid from school and write at night. And after nine hours you come out with seven pages and then you're. You're moving on.

[Mark Seal]

Listen to here's the thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Erica and Mila]

The OGs of uncensored motherhood are back and badder than ever. I'm Erica. And I'm Mila and we're the hosts of the Good Mom's Bad Choices podcast brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network every Wednesday. Yeah, we're moms, but not your mommy. Historically, men talk too much and women have quietly listened. And all that stops here. If you like witty women, then this is your try. Listen to the Good Moms Bad Choices podcast every Wednesday on the Black Effect podcast network, the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you go to find your podcast.

[Bobby Bones]

Calling all Yellowstone fans, let's go to work. Join Bobby Bones on the official Yellowstone Podcast for exclusive cast interviews, behind the scenes insights, and a deep dive into the themes that have made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon. Our family legacy is this ranch and I protect.

[Unknown Speaker]

I live my life.

[Bobby Bones]

Listen to the official Yellowstone podcast Now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.