Being a Paratrooper in a Segregated Army

By Jacque Day

Murray, KY – Jacque Day talks with a retired soldier who trained as a paratrooper in the segregated U.S. Army.

Many are familiar with the Tuskegee Airmen, America's first African American fighter pilots, navigators and bombardiers who served the nation during WWII. During this time the first Black paratroopers also emerged, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, or the Triple Nickles (Spelling Note: "Nickles" is how the unit spelled it). Jacque Day went to Fort Campbell to talk with a retired soldier who, as a young man growing up in the segregated south, was inspired by the Triple Nickles to become a paratrooper.

More about the Triple Nickles on their website.

This report was part of a series by Jacque Day titled "The Difference They Made." The Associated Press, Kentucky awarded the series First Place for Best Special Series-Documentary, 2009.