The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was activated in December of 1943, with African American men volunteering to be members of the unit. They were nicknamed the “Triple Nickles” due to the numerical designation of their unit. Unlike other infantry units, the Triple Nickles were completely comprised of African American soldiers, including their commanding officers. During World War II, the Triple Nickles were engaged in important, but lesser-known missions such as Operation Firefly, which consisted of over 1200 individual jumps to fight wildfires in the Northwest United States. The wildfires were thought to be the result of Japanese Balloon Bombs.

Review this lesson to learn more about the Triple Nickles and their accomplishments. Then complete the included activities to learn how gravity and wind resistance may have aided or hindered the Triple Nickles as they completed their missions.