555 PARACHUTE INFANTRY ASSOC. INC.

555
PARACHUTE INFANTRY A S S O C .
5 5 5 y H P A R A C H U T E INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, INC.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
TRIPLE
N I C K L E
INC.
555TH
A BRIEF HISTORY OF
PARACHUTE INFANTRY
THE
BATTALION
It a l l began in 1944 w i t h just 17 B r a v e B l a c k P i o n e e r s .
The
skepticism they encountered upon arrival at Jump School, F t . Benning
Georgia was about as subtle as a punch in the mouth.
"Who ever
heard of a Black P a r a t r o o p e r ? "
some scoffed in a m a z e m e n t .
Others
bet that they lacked the " g u t s " to exit from an a i r p l a n e in flight,
but the 17 s o o n m a d e a b e l i e v e r o u t of the d o u b t e r s .
In February 1944
they b e c a m e the f i r s t B l a c k s in the U n i t e d S t a t e s Army to w e a r the
silver w i n g s of a " P A R A T R O O P E R " .
These 17 became the cadre for the
555th Parachute Infantry Company forming at Camp Mackall, North
Carolina.
They p r e s e n t e d a c h a l l e n g e to a l l b l a c k s w h o f o l l o w e d , a
challenge no other outfit matched.
Legend holds that whatever was
required of o t h e r s , they would demand more of t h e m s e l v e s .
Before
there
be
185
were
you
between
18 and
pounds
and
requirements
The
first
loading
and
entered
a
32
years
needed
were
weeks
jumps
a member
of
an
tunnel
time
IQ
of
lectured.
a
34'
fliders
to
learn
spent
getting
ment.
You
recieved
extensive
jumps
from
the
towers
and
of
be
90
The
over
or
elite
You
had
72"
in
better.
training
physical
and
this
met.
not
tower.
you
250'
to
age,
included
from
unloading
wind
become
requirements
you
you
four
controlled
chute;
could
certain
training
The
next
making
chute
one
control
adjusted
classes
finally
was
to
in
jump
over
meeting
rigid
and
to
and
of
You
collaspe
technology,
out
and
included
flight.
how
the
tough.
packing
weeks
chutes
jumped
not
After
glider
and
volunteer,
height,
chute
four
your
you
organization
to
a
equipmade
planes.
Now that the door was opened, so many Blacks were completing
jump s c h o o l t h a t by N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 4 the C o m p a n y of 10 O f f i c e r s a n d
140 Enlisted Men had mushroomed into a Battalion under the command
of C a p t a i n J a m e s M. P o r t e r of N e w York C i t y .
This finely trained
c o m b a t u n i t set to go o v e r s e a s , b u t , the w a r b e g a n to wind down a s
the N a z i machine began to d i s i n t e g r a t e and the "THREE N I C K L E " U n i t
as they called themselves had to cover t h e m s e l v e s with another kind
of glory.
Captain Porter and h i s Troopers were bitterly disappointed when
they w e r e a s s i g n e d to a f o r e s t f i g h t i n g m i s s i o n on the W e s t C o a s t
instead of a c o m b a t m i s s i o n in an O v e r s e a s T h e a t e r of O p e r a t i o n s .
The 555th w e n t t h r o u g h an a l t o g e t h e r d i f f e r e n t kind of t r a i n i n g as
they w e r e t r a n s f e r r e d to t h e P e n d l e t o n A F B in O r e g o n to f i g h t f o r e s t
fires.
They earned the
title "SMOKE J U M P E R S " and had learned to
leap into smoke filled clearings and smack into the trees.
They
fought v i o l e n t forest fires from C a l i f o r n i a to Arizona that totaled
36 m i s s i o n s b e t w e e n July a n d X ) c t o b e r , m a d e over 1,000
individual
j u m p s a s t h e y f o u g h t f i r e s s t a r t e d by J a p a n e s e i n c e n d i a r y b a l l o o n s .
People l i v i n g in these a r e a s s p o k e w i t h r e v e r e n c e and a d m i r a t i o n of
the s i i l l and c o u r a g e of t h e " T R I P L E N I C K E L " , a s t h e B a t t a l i o n w a s
affectionately
called.
The atomic bomb over Japan snuffed out any further need for
combat duty.
Although the unit never went overseas, these fire
f i g h t i n g "SMOKE J U M P E R S " , w r o t e a new c h a p t e r s a s to w h a t brave
PARATROOPERS in baggy pants could do.
The Battalion motto became
"ANYPLACE, ANYTIME!".
After successfully completing the smoke
jumping mission the Battalion, now officially know a s the "Black
P a n t h e r s " , w a s t r a n s f e r r e d to F o r t B r a g g , N o r t h C a r o l i n a in D e c e m ber 1945 and a t t a c h e d to the 82d A i r b o r n e D i v i s i o n .
Captain Porter
r e t a i n e d c o m m a n d of the B a t t a l i o n u n t i l C a p t a i n J o s e p h " J e t t e " G a t e s ,
of New York City a s s u m e d c o m m a n d .
Captain Porter and Captain Gates
later retired from the United States army as L t . Colonels.
The 555th Parachute Battalion was redesignated the 3rd Battalion
of the 5 0 5 t h A i r b o r n e I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t and b e c a m e an i n t e g r a l p a r t
of the 82nd A i r b o r n e D i v i s i o n .
Lt. Colonel Garrett, a white officer,
assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 505 from C a p t a i n G a t e s .
A
short time after the redesignation some black troopers were t r a n s f e r r e d o u t of t h e B a t t a l i o n , b e i n g r e p l a c e d by w h i t e t r o o p e r s , t h u s
m a r k i n g the end of s e g r e g a t i o n of B l a c k S o l d i e r s in the U n i t e d
States
Army.
L a t e r , B l a c k s became m e m b e r s of a l l of the A r m y ' s A i r b o r n e
units.
T h e f i r s t B l a c k P a r a t r o o p e r s to see c o m b a t , a s a u n i t , w e r e former
members of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the 503rd Abn A n t i aircraft Battalion, and the 80th Airborne Anti-aircraft Battalion
that
v o l u n t e e r e d to f o r m t h e 2d A i r b o r n e R a n g e r C o m p a n y a t F o r t B r a g g ,
North Carolina.
An all black unit under the command of 1st L t .
W a r r e n E. A l l e n .
This unit was in action with the 7th Infantry
D i v i s i o n in K o r e a .
They w e r e later a t t a c h e d to the 187th A i r b o r n e
R e g i m e n t a l C o m b a t T e a m a n d m a d e o n e of t h e t w o c o m b a t j u m p s in K o r e a .
The v a l i a n t T r o o p e r s of this Company distinguished themselves in combat
earning many Sivler Stars, Bronze Stars, and n u m e r o u s d e c o r a t i o n s for
valor in combat.
Many of i t ' s m e n w e r e k i l l e d in a c t i o n and n u m e r o u s
others wounded.
It is to be noted t h a t b e f o r e a s s i g n m e n t to the 555th
Parachute Infantry many of its m e m b e r s had already received
decorations
for heroic action under fire.
T h e 555th w a s composed of many o u t s t a n d i n g p e r s o n n a l and by that
fact an unusually high a m o u n t of the former m e m b e r s later attained high
O f f i c e r and N o n - C o m m i s s i o n e d O f f i c e r r a n k s in the U n i t e d S t a t e s A r m y .
We can count Generals, Colonels, L t . Colonels and M a j o r s .
Approximately
30 advanced from P v t . to Captain, over 100 advanced through the ranks
to M a s t e r S e r g e a n t s , S e r g e a n t M a j o r s , and 1st S e r g e a n t s . , the a c h i e v e m e n t s , along w i t h o t h e r s a r e a t e s t i m o n a l to the 555th and the s t r e n u o u s
e f f o r t s p u t o u t by r e t i r e d L i e u t e n a n t G e n e r a l J a m e s M. G a v i n , w h o w a s
the Commanding G e n e r a l of the 82d Airborne Division, was the f o r e m o s t
s p o n s e r and b e l i e v e r in the p o t e n i a l of the B l a c k P a r a t r o o p e r f r o m its
conception.
Who was to know that one day a Black Paratrooper would conimand
the 82nd Airborne Division, some 33 years after the formation of the
555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. A Black Officer, Major General
Roscoe Robinson became the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne
Division, the most sought after command in the United States Army.
General Robinson was a Private in the United States Army at the birth
of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
Today there are many Black Paratroopers, men and women in all
airborne units. It all started with 17 men who paved the way and
proved that BLACKS were equal to the task.
Enlisted m e n o f the test platoon. Front
Row, from
left to right:
• First S g t . W a l t e r M o r r i s , S p o k a n e ,
Wash.: first black enlisted man accepted for airborne d u t y ; v o l u n t e e r e d w h i l e serving a s First Sgt.,
Service C o m p a n y , The P a r a c h u t e S c h o o l , Ft. B e n n i n g , G a . • Sgt. J a c k D . T i l l i s ; enlisted 21 N o v e m ber 1 9 4 2 ; s e r v e d w i t h C o m p a n y A , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n b e f o r e c o m i n g to airborne. • Sgt.
Leo D . R e e d ; enlisted 3 1 O c t o b e r , 1 9 4 2 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m C o m p a n y
H , 365ih I n f a n i r y , 92d
D i v i s i o n . • S g t . D a n i e l C . W e i l ; • S. S g t . H u b e r t B r i d g e s ; enlisted in A r m y
volunteered
for airborne f r o m
Company
13 August
1940;
C , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n , Ft. H u a c h u c a , A r i z .
Tech. G r a d e I V A l v i n L . M o o n ; enlisted 2 0 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 1 ; transferred to airborne f r o m
•
Service
C o m p a n y , 3 7 0 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S g t . N e d D . B e s s ; enlisted 2 7 t h N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 2 ; c a m e to
airborne f r o m C o m p a n y H , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n . • S g t R o g e r S. W a l d e n ; enlisted on Pearl
H a r b o r D a y , 7 D e c e m b e r , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m C o m p a n y C , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n .
Back
Row:
• C p l . M c K i n l e y G o d f r e y , Jr.; enlisted 2 M a r c h , 1 9 4 3 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m
Company
1, 3 7 0 i h Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S g t . Elijah W e s b y ; enlisted 18 O c t o b e r , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to airborne
f r o m S e r v i c e C o m p a n y , T h e P a r a c h u t e S c h o o l . • S g t . D a n i e l W . R o b i n s o n ; enlisted 5 M a r c h , 1942;
v o l u n t e e r e d for a i r b o r n e f r o m A n t i - T a n k C o m p a n y , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S. S g t . C a l v i n
R . B e a l ; enlisted 2 1 F e b r u a r y , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m 3 7 I s t Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S. Sgt.
R o b e r t F . G r e e n e ; enlisted 12 A u g u s t 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m C o m p a n y H , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d
D i v i s i o n . • S. S g t . L o n n i e M . D u k e ; enlisted in A r m y
1 S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 4 2 ; s e r v e d a s staff s e r g e a n t
C o m p a n y C , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n , Ft. H u a c h u c a , A r i z . • S g t . C l a r e n c e H . B e a v e r s ; enlisted
service 1 3 M a r c h , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m a p o s t m a i n t . unit, I n d i a n l o w n , G a p , Pa. • S g t . J a m e s
E . K o r n e g a y ; enlisted 3 M a r c h , 1 9 4 1 ; v o l u n t e e r e d for a i r b o r n e d u t y f r o m C a n n o n C o m p a n y , 370ih
Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n .
Enlisted m e n o f the test platoon. Front
Row, from
left to right:
• First S g t . W a l t e r M o r r i s , S p o k a n e ,
W a s h . : first black enlisted m a n a c c e p t e d for a i r b o r n e d u t y ; v o l u n t e e r e d w h i l e serving a s First Sgt.,
S e r v i c e C o m p a n y , T h e P a r a c h u t e S c h o o l , Ft. B e n n i n g , G a . • S g t . J a c k D . Tillis; enlisted 2 1 N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 2 ; s e r v e d w i t h C o m p a n y A , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n b e f o r e c o m i n g to airborne. • Sgt.
L e o D . R e e d ; enlisted 3 1 O c t o b e r , 1 9 4 2 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m C o m p a n y
H , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d
Division. • S g t . D a n i e l C . W e i l ; • S. S g t . H u b e r t B r i d g e s ; enlisted in A r m y
volunteered
for a i r b o r n e f r o m
Company
13 A u g u s t 1 9 4 0 ;
C , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division, Ft. H u a c h u c a , A r i z . •
T e c h . G r a d e I V A l v i n L . M o o n ; enlisted 2 0 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 1 ; transferred to airborne f r o m
Service
C o m p a n y , 3 7 0 t h Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n . • S g t . N e d D . B e s s ; enlisted 2 7 t h N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 2 ; c a m e to
airborne f r o m C o m p a n y H , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n . • S g t R o g e r S. W a l d e n ; enlisted o n Pearl
H a r b o r D a y , 7 D e c e m b e r , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m C o m p a n y C , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division.
Back
Row:
• C p l . M c K i n l e y G o d f r e y , Jr.; enlisted 2 M a r c h , 1 9 4 3 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m
Company
1, 3 7 0 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S g t . Elijah W e s b y ; enlisted 18 O c t o b e r , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e
f r o m S e r v i c e C o m p a n y , T h e P a r a c h u t e S c h o o l . • S g t . D a n i e l W . R o b i n s o n ; enlisted 5 M a r c h , 1 9 4 2 ;
v o l u n t e e r e d for a i r b o r n e f r o m A n t i - T a n k C o m p a n y , 3 6 5 t h Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S. S g t . C a l v i n
R . B e a l ; enlisted 2 1 F e b r u a r y , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d Division. • S. S g t .
R o b e r t F . G r e e n e ; enlisted 12 A u g u s t 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to airborne f r o m C o m p a n y H , 3 7 1 s t Infantry, 9 2 d
D i v i s i o n . • S. S g t . L o n n i e M . D u k e ; enlisted in A r m y
1 S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 4 2 ; s e r v e d a s staff s e r g e a n t
C o m p a n y C , 3 7 1 s t Infaniry, 9 2 d Division, Ft. H u a c h u c a , A r i z . • S g t . C l a r e n c e H . B e a v e r s ; enlisted
service 13 M a r c h , 1 9 4 1 ; c a m e to a i r b o r n e f r o m a p o s t m a i n t . unit, I n d i a n t o w n , G a p , P a . • S g t . J a m e s
E . K o r n e g a y ; enlisted 3 M a r c h , 1 9 4 1 ; v o l u n t e e r e d for a i r b o r n e d u t y f r o m C a n n o n C o m p a n y , 3 7 0 t h
Infantry, 9 2 d D i v i s i o n .
PARATROOPERS OF THE 555th INFANTRY
BATTALION
PARATROOPERS OF THE 555th
INFANTRY
BATTALION