#555th

[flintknife]

From CNN: How Black paratroopers saved the US from Japan’s WWII firebombs

How Black paratroopers saved the US from Japan’s WWII firebombs

How Black paratroopers saved the US from Japan’s WWII firebombs | CNN

Sgt. Joe Harris was one of an elite group of Black paratroopers during World War II. He is being laid to rest today. He was 108.

I had never heard this story before! That's some balls, jumping into forest fires...

[dontirrigateme]

Officers from the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Camp Mackall, 1945

[bikerlovertexas]

[dustyismahomeboy]

Apparently, the veteran, Joe Murchison, wasn't just a paratrooper, but also a smoke jumper!

[aawwi-blog]

The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was the U.S.'s first black paratroopers. They were assigned to the Pacific Northwest during WWII to pioneer the tactic of "smoke jumping". This assignment was due to the Japanese floating fire balloons towards the U.S. and white commanders reluctance at having them serve in the European Theatre. During the Summer of 1945 they took part in 1200 jumps responding to 36 fire calls.