The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB), formed in 1944, was the first African American parachute unit to actually use parachutes in the military; the first to become smoke jumpers who fought forest fires; and the first African American battalion to integrate the armed forces just months before President Truman officially directed the integration of the United States military.This collection is comprised of newspaper articles, letters, photocopies of pictures, and lists of members.
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB), formed in 1944, also known as the Triple Nickels and the Smoke Jumpers, received recognition throughout the armed forces because they were: the first African American parachute unit to actually use parachutes in the military; the first to become smoke jumpers who fought forest fires; and the first African American battalion to integrate the armed forces just months before President Truman officially directed the integration of the United States military. In addition, the Triple Nickels were participants in Operation Fire Fly, a mission to locate and dispose of balloon bombs dropped by the Japanese over parts of the midwestern United States at the start of World War II.
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion Association collection is comprised of newspaper articles; copies of letters recognizing the accomplishments of the unit; photocopies of pictures; and lists containing the names of those who served with the Triple Nickels of the Third Battalion. There are also commemorative programs for reunions held in 1998, minutes of a 1998 Executive Board meeting, a treasurer's report, and a list of active members of the Association.
Gift of Bruce Johnson, 1999.
Accessioned by P. Williams, May 2001.
Transferred to the General Research and Reference Division: books and magazines
Transferred to the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division: audio and moving image materials. For more information, please contact the division at schomburgaudiovisual@nypl.org or 212-491-2270.
Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs