May 31, 2017
Page 9
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
The elite all-black paratrooper unit ‘The Triple Nickles’ on a training flight aboard their C-47 aircraft.
Cemented in History
Paratrooper unit
honored with
new marker
A new historical marker will be ded-
icated in Oregon Saturday to honor an
elite, all-black paratrooper unit deployed
to the state near the end of World War II.
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battal-
ion, also known as the Triple Nickles,
jumped their way into Oregon history in
1945 during a secret mission known as
“Operation Firefly.” Their charge was to
parachute near forest fires in the Pacific
Northwest caused by Japanese balloon
bombs, and disarm and destroy any re-
maining explosive devices.
The men withstood many obstacles in
their service to the U.S., including rac-
ism, lack of smoke jumping equipment,
and a fatality in their unit during an Ore-
gon jump -- Private First Class Marvin L.
Brown. The new marker will also honor
Brown’s sacrifice.
Representatives of Oregon Black Pi-
oneers and the Oregon Historical Mark-
er Program will attended the dedication
ceremony at the Siskiyou Smokejumper
Base Museum located at the Illinois Val-
ley Airport in Cave Junction.
“The work to uncover and commemo-
rate the lives of men who served in Ore-
gon as part of the Triple Nickles is a great
accomplishment,” said Oregon Black Pi-
oneers Secretary Gwen Carr.
Roger Brandt of the Illinois Valley Com-
munity Development Organization was
instrumental in the new marker’s nomina-
tion, research, and funding process.
“Oregon has never formally thanked
the 555th for their role in defending Or-
egon during World War II,” Brandt said.
“The 555th historical marker installation
is taking the first step towards acknowl-
edging their contribution to our state’s
history.”