This blog was composed by Todd Crumley and Aaron Arthur
This series of color transparencies documents the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the U.S. Army’s first African-American paratrooper unit, and their participation in Operation Firefly. Firefly was initiated in response to the threat of potential wildfires caused by Japanese balloon bombs arriving on the west coast beginning in 1944. Known as the Triple Nickles, the 555th completed 1200 jumps from July-October 1945 in support of the U.S. Forest Service efforts to contain forest fires in the northwest United States. The smokejumpers parachuted into regions difficult for firefighters to reach and helped contain 36 fires during this time.
The National Archives Still Picture Branch honors these brave men for their service by highlighting these wonderful color photographs from Series 342-C : Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force Activities, Facilities, and Personnel, Domestic and Foreign, ca. 1940 – ca. 1980. Enjoy!