PENDLETON — The men who served in World War II in the all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion came from all over the United States. And the paratroopers who honored the battalion — the Triple Nickles — Saturday, April 13, in Pendleton also came from all over the U.S., as well as Canada, England and the Netherlands.
Donald Garrison, a senior noncommissioned officer, of California, winks before he jumps out of a 1944 C-47 plane April 12, 2024, during Operation Firefly practice jump 1,500 feet above the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
“I volunteered to jump for the Triple Nickles because I’ve been following them for a long time, so it’s a good opportunity for me to give back,” said Donald Garrison, a senior noncommissioned officer and recently retired paratrooper from California. “I grew up with some racism in every part of my life. … I was drawn to them, so I wanted to do something like that.”
Col. Stewart Watkins smiles after parachuting from 1,500 feet April 12, 2024, to honor the all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion at the Operation Firefly commemoration at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Before the paratroopers hop on the plane to jump, Staff Sgt. Jordan Whittington, center, of Maryland, explains on a map where their landing zones are April 12, 2024, during Operation Firefly training jump at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Butch Garner, right, looks to inspect that paratroopers had a safe jump April 12, 2024, from about 1,500 high in the 1944 C-47 plane during the Operation Firefly training above the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Lt. Col. Carl Cannon receives a flag April 12, 2024, to honor his father, retired Lt. Col. John C. Cannon, who was part of the all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, during Operation Firefly commemoration at the the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Antonio Harris steps to the stage April 12, 2024, to honor his grandfather, Sgt. Joe Harris, who is the last known surviving member of the all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as The Triple Nickles, at the Operation Firefly commemoration at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Local residents pull out their cameras and cellphones to record paratroopers parachuting from the sky April 12, 2024, at the Operation Firefly commemoration at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton.
Original Article: Source