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!
342-C-K3711 NAID: 148728114 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry climb into their parachute harness before boarding a plane of the First Troop Carrier Command. The C-47 will drop the airborne fire fighters near an area where a forest fire is raging. Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3753 NAID: 148728172 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – High above the ground in a stately pine and fir trees, a parachute is left dangling. The chutist, an experienced man at the game, has climbed out of his harness and down the tree by means of the 150 foot rope which all troopers carry. Later he will return for the parachute after the forest fire has been extinguished.
342-C-K3748 NAID: 148728166 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Capt. Charles James Burks of Pittsburgh, PA., is battalion surgeon of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, and jumps with the boys when occasion demands. His medical unit is one of the busiest in the peacetime army as the unit sustains a 10% casualty each jump. Capt. Burks wears the “jumpsuit” of a paratrooper.
342-C-K3746 NAID: 148728164 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Lt. Clifford Allen of Chicago, Ill. Is one of the fire fighters of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. He wears his complete outfit just before taking off for a jump. Note the 150 ft. rope descending from tall trees; the plastic helmet and catcher’s mask are protections against branches and brambles.
342-C-K3741 NAID: 148728158 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – A paratrooper of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion works his way to the earth with the aid of a 150 foot rope which is a part of his equipment. These fire fighters prefer landing in tree tops rather than hitting the rocks and ledges that abound in this region. Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3719 NAID: 148728124 Original Caption: Operation Firefly- A paratrooper in a tree is a common sight near a fire. The troopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry prefer to land in the trees rather than on rough terrain. They carry 150 ft. ropes with them to aid descending. Oregon (Vertical).
342-C-K3737 NAID: 148728152 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – A forest fire located in the junction of the Imnaha and Snake River in Oregon.
342-C-K3710 NAID: 148728112 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – A C-47 of the First Troop Carrier Command flies over rough Oregon countryside. The plane will drop a “stick” of fire-fighting paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry. This is a joint operation of the AAF Troop Carrier Command, the US Forestry Service and the Parachute Infantry. The Parachutist operate in remote areas where it would take days for forestry men on the ground to reach the devastated areas.
342-C-K3722 NAID: 148728130 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Negro paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry prepare a clearing to keep the forest fire from spreading. Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3717 148728122 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Paratrooper of the 555th Parachute Infantry drift toward the tree tops not far from a forest fire. Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3734 NAID: 148728146 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – 2nd Lt. Harry E. Sutton of the New York City – leader of a group which has just returned from fighting a persistent forest fire. Lt. Sutton is attrited in the typical jump suit worn by a member of the 555th Parachute Infantry.
342-C-K3742 NAID: 148728160 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Insignia of Troop Carrier Command. The function of the Troop Carrier Command is tactical. It is responsible for transporting paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion to areas where forest fires are raging.
342-C-K3751 NAID: 148728170 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – A C-47 of Troop Carrier Command carries these parachutists of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion to the scene of a remote fire in Wallowa forest, Oregon. Men of this unit have made over 8000 jumps since the first of April 1945.
342-C-K3714 NAID: 148728116 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Once on the ground, negro parachute fire fighters of the 555th Parachute Infantry Wield shovels and other standard equipment in stamping out forest fires. They cooperate with the US Forest Service in holding in check what has been a serious fire season in the Pacific Northwest. Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3724 NAID: 148728134 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – Paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry dropped by Troop Carrier Command fight a forest fire in a remote area of the Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
342-C-K3729 NAID: 148728142 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – A paratrooper of the 55th Parachute Infantry splits smoldering wood – finishing up touches in fighting a forest fire. Umatilla National Forest near Pendleton, Oregon.
342-C-K3739 NAID: 148728156 Original Caption: Operation Firefly – The firemen come by air: five paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion hit the silk on their wat to fight a fire in the Umatilla National Forest, Oregon.
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing. I knew nothing about this.
Great pictures! For more about the 555th see: https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2015/02/12/firefly-project-and-the-555th-parachute-infantry-battalion-smoke-jumpers/
I’m a model figurine builder and I have a 1:24 scale figure on the workbench being converted to a Triple Nickel Airborne Wildland fireman.
These historic photographs in color are an extremely valuable resource!
OUTSTANDING PHOTOS !
I had the privilege to know some Triple Nickels, and fire-fighting veterans in the Pacific northwest.
Interesting are the Riddell helmets – from the same manufacturer for football helmets today.
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion para was attached to the 82d Airborne Division when it returned to Ft Bragg from occupation duty in Germany, and eventually became the 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Again, agreat story, and an oustanding array of very historic photographs!
George F Cholewczynski
New Orleans
movies ki duniyaFascinating! Thanks for sharing. I knew nothing about this.
Nice article. I did a book report about them and this helped.