Summary of "The Triple Nickles" Episode | Stuff You Missed in History Class

Release Date: May 21, 2025
Hosts: Holly Fry and Tracy B. Wilson
Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction: Listener Request and Episode Overview

The episode begins with Tracy B. Wilson introducing a listener request from Josiah, highlighting the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, also known as the Triple Nickles. This unit holds the distinction of being the first all-Black paratroopers in the U.S. Military and plays a pivotal role in the desegregation of the armed forces post-World War II.

[02:45] Holly Fry:
"Welcome to Stuff You Missed in History Class, a production of iHeartRadio."

Historical Context: Black Soldiers in the U.S. Military Pre-WWII

Holly Fry provides a comprehensive overview of the participation of Black soldiers in the U.S. military, tracing back to before the Revolutionary War. She emphasizes that initially, most units were not segregated, with notable exceptions like the First Rhode Island Regiment.

[03:46] Holly Fry:
"Black soldiers' participation in the United States military goes back to before the Revolutionary War, and initially most units were not racially segregated."

However, post-Revolutionary War policies, such as the Federal Militia Act of 1792, institutionalized segregation, effectively excluding Black individuals from military service until the Civil War.

[04:19] Tracy B. Wilson:
"After George Washington became commander in chief of the Continental army, he tried to bar people of African descent from enlistment, but he reversed that decision a couple of months later."

World Wars and Segregation: Struggles and Contributions

During World War I, over 380,000 Black Americans served, predominantly in non-combat roles. The Harlem Hellfighters stood out as an exception, earning distinction for their valor.

[05:51] Holly Fry:
"More than 380,000 Black Americans served in the army during World War I, and overwhelmingly, the ones who were sent overseas were assigned to tasks involving manual labor."

As World War II approached, segregation persisted despite the Selective Service Act mandating non-discriminatory training and selection. Racial disparities in enlistment and roles remained evident, underscored by biased intelligence testing.

[07:51] Holly Fry:
"There was also an overall perception within military leadership and the executive branch of government that white soldiers as a whole would not accept an integrated Army."

Efforts to mitigate discrimination saw the appointment of William Henry Hastie, Jr., who documented shortcomings in the military's adherence to fair policies.

[09:37] Tracy B. Wilson:
"Hastie was the first black person to be appointed as a federal district court judge. He conducted a survey in 1941 that documented multiple ways in which the US military was falling short of that 1940 policy announcement."

The Birth of the Triple Nickles: Formation and Training

In April 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the creation of an all-Black parachute battalion to boost morale and challenge existing racial stereotypes within elite military units.

[13:55] Holly Fry:
"The recommendation that played a part in today's episode was the creation of a black parachute battalion for the purposes of enhancing the morale and esprit de corps of the Negro people."

Tracy B. Wilson narrates the transformation of a test platoon into the full-fledged 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Under the leadership of Captain James Porter, the unit expanded to 155 enlisted men and 10 officers.

[25:19] Tracy B. Wilson:
"Based on the success of this first round of training, the army started the process of turning this 22 man test platoon into a full parachute infantry company."

Operations as Smokejumpers: Mission and Challenges

Assigned to Operation Firefly, the Triple Nickles served as smokejumpers tasked with combating forest fires and defusing Japanese balloon bombs. Their role was crucial, especially given the labor shortages caused by the war.

[35:10] Holly Fry:
"The Triple Nickels' time as smokejumpers was only partly about the Japanese balloon bombs, although when they got this assignment, those were seen as a huge potential threat."

Training was intensive, focusing on both firefighting techniques and bomb disposal, adapting military parachuting skills to specialized rescue operations.

[36:16] Holly Fry:
"To do this work, they also had to learn new strategies for parachuting, using a different type of parachute than they had learned to use in the army."

Throughout the 1945 fire season, the Triple Nickles executed over 1,200 jumps, managing 36 fires and neutralizing several enemy devices. Their dedication earned them a reputation for professionalism and resilience.

[38:27] Tracy B. Wilson:
"Over the 1945 fire season, the Triple Nickels carried out more than 1200 jumps to help control 36 fires and dispose of several Japanese bombs."

Tragically, the unit suffered one fatality during their smokejumping tenure, highlighting the dangers they faced.

[39:25] Tracy B. Wilson:
"The Triple Nickels had only one fatality during their time as smokejumpers. Medic Malvin L. Brown was most likely killed instantly."

Integration and Legacy: Moving Beyond Segregation

Post-Operation Firefly, the Triple Nickles transitioned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Under Major General James M. Gavin, the unit began the process of integration, leading to their participation in the New York City victory parade in January 1946.

[40:22] Tracy B. Wilson:
"Gavin insisted that the Triple Nickels be integrated with the rest of the 82nd Airborne, including insisting that they march with the 82nd Airborne as part of the New York City victory parade on January 14, 1946."

The battalion was formally deactivated in December 1947, merging into the 3rd Battalion, 505th Airborne Infantry. This deactivation symbolized both the progress towards an integrated military and the loss of a proud unit identity.

[42:19] Holly Fry:
"The 555th was formally deactivated on December 15, 1947, at which point its remaining paratroopers became part of the 3rd Battalion, 505th Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne."

In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, mandating the desegregation of the U.S. Military, a monumental step influenced by units like the Triple Nickles.

[41:15] Tracy B. Wilson:
"President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, which banned discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin in the U.S. Military."

Recognition and Modern Legacy

Despite their significant contributions, the Triple Nickles remained relatively obscure compared to other Black military units like the Tuskegee Airmen. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to honor their legacy through historical markers and dedicated literature.

[43:55] Holly Fry:
"In 1994, the Triple Nickels were part of a celebration of Smokey Bear's 50th birthday. Pendleton Airfield is now home to the Oregon National Guard's Pendleton Aviation Support Facility."

Books such as Lt. Col. Bradley Biggs' "Triple Nickels, America's First All Black Paratroop Unit" and Tanya Lee Stone's "Courage Has No: The True Story of the Triple Nickels" have played pivotal roles in documenting and celebrating the battalion's history.

Conclusion: Reflecting on a Pioneering Unit

The episode encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, shedding light on their critical role in both military operations and the broader movement towards racial integration in the U.S. Armed Forces. Through resilience and dedication, the Triple Nickles not only contributed significantly during their service but also paved the way for future generations of Black soldiers in the military.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy B. Wilson [10:29]:
  "The traditional mores of the south have been widely accepted and adopted by the army as the basis of policy and practice affecting the Negro soldier."

• Lt. Col. Bradley Biggs [24:00]:
  "It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there."

• Charles Stevens [40:47]:
  "Everybody was crying. I think we were crying for two different reasons. We were glad the segregation was leaving the army, and we were sad we were losing our Triple Nickel colors."

References for Further Reading

• "Triple Nickels, America's First All Black Paratroop Unit" by Lt. Col. Bradley Biggs
• "Courage Has No: The True Story of the Triple Nickels" by Tanya Lee Stone

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