The Triple Nickles: America’s first Black paratroopers and their secret mission in Oregon

The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, more commonly known as the “Triple Nickles,” was the first all-Black paratrooper unit in U.S. history.

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First organized in 1943 during World War II, the Triple Nickles trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, but were eventually transferred to Camp Mackall, North Carolina, to prepare for duty in Europe. At the time, the U.S. military was segregated and most Black soldiers were relegated to support roles, rarely trained as combat units let alone elite paratroopers. For some in the unit, the prospect of fighting Hitler’s army presented an exciting opportunity — a chance to prove that Black men were as brave and capable as their white counterparts.

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