"Post-War Nickles"

The following photos, donated to the author by 555 trooper
Ken Floyd, offer an amazing view of post-war service
in the Triple Nickles, America's first African-American
Paratrooper unit.  The elite 555 was the first African-American
unit to break the Army's color barrier.


555out.jpg (32316 bytes)
stunning shot of 555 troopers in a
practice jump at Fort Bragg.

 

555para.jpg (18329 bytes)
Pvt.  Ken Floyd recovering his chute during a
training  jump at  Fort Benning.

555will.jpg (23714 bytes)
Trooper James Williams makes a safe landing during jump school.

555con.jpg (36881 bytes)
It wasn't all work at Fort Bragg.  A 555 trooper presides
over a beauty contest held on the post.

555sax.jpg (21022 bytes)
Company Clowns observed
by Sgt. Clyde Thomas (Rear) 1947.
555band.jpg (17185 bytes)
The 555 band, a hit both on and off post.
555clyde.jpg (18318 bytes)
Sgt. Thomas and his bride.
555wed.jpg (24197 bytes)
The wedding of Sgt. Clyde Thomas to Vandallia Cogsdale.
Every Thanksgiving she would prepare a
holiday dinner for the NCOs of 555th.
555com.jpg (28635 bytes) 555pl.jpg (17151 bytes)

C Company boarding  a C82 for a training exercise that would prove to be deadly.  In the exercise, the Air Force was tasked with dropping naphthalene canisters on a mock enemy position. Yet the Airforce miscalculated and dropped their deadly load on the 555, resulting in two fatalities and several severe injuries.  The tragedy would be repeated in a similar 555 exercise at Eglin Field.

combine.jpg (40872 bytes)

 

 

 

 

 

 


            C-82 transport planes discharge 555 troopers in Operation
            Combine at Elgin Field, FL.