![]() ![]() History is full of holes unless we tell these important stories,” Thomas said.ĭepend on CBS 6 News and for in-depth coverage of this important local story. “ these stories are not lost to the dustbin of history and are told because they are American stories. “I think that should be in the history books, because this is something that's really great, if you can imagine what transpired,” French said All I could say is only God could have been with him in this effort,” French said. The younger French, who was a teen at the time, said he didn't really learn about his story until later, a story he’s grateful others want to share in order to keep alive acts of heroism by Black service members. So, this would be really very, very appropriate for them,” Kaine said.įrench's nephew, Chester French, said his uncle died in 1956. Sadly, they’ve passed, but their families are still around. “We're trying to do for them what we were able to do for Paris Davis. Kaine notes similarities to Black Vietnam veteran Paris Davis who was only recently awarded the Medal of Honor. Mark Warner (D) have written letters on the issue to Biden. “The wheels grind slowly, but I insist they will grind,” Thomas said.Īmong those supporting Thomas’ push: both of Virginia's U.S. With nowhere else to turn, Thomas has appealed directly to President Joe Biden, asking him to award the medals to Miller and French. Over the decades, efforts to rectify that, including military reviews and legislation in Congress, have failed. Thomas believes racism and segregation of that era played a role in them not getting that medal. “I think that the level of service, gallantry, and valor that they displayed, certainly rose to that level,” she said. ![]() While both men have received several awards for their valor, Thomas said the Medal of Honor would provide even greater context for their stories. “When he found himself in this extreme situation, he could have just tried to save himself, but he rose above any thought of self-preservation,” Thomas said. French helped gather injured sailors on a raft that he then pulled to safety, swimming through shark-infested waters for hours. “And managed to shoot it and shoot down several Japanese attack planes: a remarkable feat,” Thomas said about Miller, who was killed in action in 1943.įrench was also a mess attendant, and in 1942, he was aboard the USS Gregory when it sank during the battle of Guadalcanal. Miller helped move the ship's mortally wounded captain, before manning an anti-aircraft gun, which Black personnel like him were not trained to use. Miller was a mess attendant on the USS West Virginia, which sank during the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. ![]()
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