Overview

World War II is raging, and thousands of American soldiers are fighting overseas against the injustices brought on by Hitler. Back on the home front, the injustices of discrimination against African Americans plays out as much on Main Street as in the military. Enlisted black men are segregated from white soldiers and regularly relegated to service duties. At Fort Benning, Georgia, First Sergeant Walter Morris's men serve as guards at The Parachute School, while the white soldiers prepare to be paratroopers. Morris knows that for his men to be treated like soldiers, they have to train and act like them, but would the military elite and politicians recognize the potential of these men as well as their passion for serving their country? Tanya Lee Stone examines the role of African Americans in the military through the history of the Triple Nickles, America's first black paratroopers, who fought in a little-known attack on the American West by the Japanese. The 55th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in the words of Morris, proved that the color of a man had nothing to do witth his ability.

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9781627654722

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Rich with detail, the pictures not only complement the narrative, but also tell a stirring story of their own, chronicling the triumphs and frustrations of the soldiers as they pursued their dreams. Complete accessibility to a wide range of readers, coupled with expert research and meticulous care, makes this a must-have for any library.--School Library Journal (starred review) An exceptionally well-researched, lovingly crafted and important tribute to unsung American heroes.--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A captivating look at a small but significant piece of military and civil rights history.--Publishers Weekly (starred review) Written with great immediacy, clarity, and authority, Stone's vivid narrative draws readers into the Triple Nickle's wartime experiences. Many well-chosen quotes enhance the text, while excellent black-and-white illustrations, mainly photos, document both the men of the 555th and racial prejudice on the home front...This handsome volume documents the sometimes harrowing, often frustrating, and ultimately rewarding experiences of the Triple Nickles.--Booklist (starred review)

Rich with detail, the pictures not only complement the narrative, but also tell a stirring story of their own, chronicling the triumphs and frustrations of the soldiers as they pursued their dreams. Complete accessibility to a wide range of readers, coupled with expert research and meticulous care, makes this a must-have for any library.--School Library Journal (starred review) An exceptionally well-researched, lovingly crafted and important tribute to unsung American heroes.--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A captivating look at a small but significant piece of military and civil rights history.--Publishers Weekly (starred review) Written with great immediacy, clarity, and authority, Stone's vivid narrative draws readers into the Triple Nickle's wartime experiences. Many well-chosen quotes enhance the text, while excellent black-and-white illustrations, mainly photos, document both the men of the 555th and racial prejudice on the home front...This handsome volume documents the sometimes harrowing, often frustrating, and ultimately rewarding experiences of the Triple Nickles.--Booklist (starred review) An exceptionally well-researched, lovingly crafted and important tribute to unsung American heroes.--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)A captivating look at a small but significant piece of military and civil rights history.--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Author Information

Tanya Lee Stone is the Robert F. Sibert Award-winning author of Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. This new book was seven years in the making, as she did extensive original research and tracked down archival photos. Tanya Lee Stone lives in Vermont.

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