Triple Nickles

The Triple Nickles (555th) were created during World War II.  The 555th were named after an infantry of Buffalo soldiers from the late 1800’s.  This colored unit was subject to racist laws and intolerance.  African American’s served in strictly supportive roles for the white soldiers at Fort Benning. Until Walter Morris decided to enact change.  He wrote a letter to his superiors suggesting the formation of an all black airborne unit.  He expected negative feedback or to be fired.  Instead he was granted his wish.  The white officers did not think they would last.  The group of soldiers were organized and rigorously trained. The group began with seventy volunteers and grew to the thousands.  In 1945 the Triple Nickles were used in Operation Firefly.  They fought fires in the Pacific Northwest set ablaze by thousands of Japanese balloon bombs  They were pioneers in combating forest fires.  Soon the Triple Nickles would be known as “Smokejumpers.”   They succeeded when no one thought they would.  His expression, “This is my county, This is my duty, This is my responsibility,” is powerful.