Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
555th Parachute Infantry Battalion
"Triple Nickels" "Smoke Jumpers"
| | 1943 - 1947 | |
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 30, 2008
1. 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion Marker
In memory of America's first Black paratroopers, their successor units, and their supporters whose pioneering efforts and sacrifices have contributed to the development of the world's finest airborne forces.
"All the Way!"
Erected 1995 by the 555th Parachute Infantry Association.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, Korean • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list.
Location. 38° 52.62′ N, 77° 4.539′ W. Memorial is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. It is on Farragut Drive. Marker is off Farragut Drive in Cemetery Section 23. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Fort Myer VA 22211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montford Point Marines (a few steps from this marker); Memorial to US Airmen killed in Denmark (within shouting distance of this marker); 92d Infantry Division (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 94th Infantry Division
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Mast of the USS Maine (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Ignace Jan Paderewski (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. The Triple "Nickles". (Submitted on September 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Operation Fire Fly and the 555th. (Submitted on September 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) - Korea. In December 1949, the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment was inactivated and re-designated as the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. In November 1950, members of that battalion were assigned to the newly formed 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne) which was activated at that time along with three other “separate” Ranger companies (all-White) for service in the Korean War. It became the first, last and only all-Black Ranger unit in the U.S.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 30, 2008
2. 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion marker and memorial tree
Arlington National Cemetery, Section 23 (note also the Montford Point Marines marker, upper right).
Additional commentary.
1. 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne).
The Triple Nickels' "successor units" include the 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne) which was attached to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. Veterans of WWII's Operation Fire Fly would be in its ranks during the First UN Counteroffensive and the airborne assault on Munsan-ni, Korea, 23 March 1951. The first and only all-Black unit to ever make a combat parachute jump behind enemy lines, the 2nd Ranger Company achieved all of its objectives at Munsan-ni under the leadership of Captain Warren E. Allen, suffering relatively light casualties, and earning the Bronze Arrowhead for Parachute Assault.
— Submitted January 20, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Additional keywords. Firefighters; Operation Fire Fly; 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne); 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,937 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on January 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
