Triple Nickel: Black Paratroopers in Washington State During WWII

The Walla Walla Rural Library District and Humanities Washington invite the community to an engaging conversation with Dr. Robert Bartlett, a member of the 2012-14 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. This free event takes place Friday, April 15 2016 at The Plaza Way Community Library, 1640 Plaza Way, Walla Walla. About this program What is Operation Firefly? It was May of 1945, when an elite unit made up of some of the Army?s best trained paratroopers were assigned to a remote airstrip in Oregon as part of a highly classified mission known as Operation Firefly. This first all-black paratrooper unit?s mission and service involving Washington state made quiet history and is all but forgotten. In a surprising and insightful presentation, Robert L. ?Bob? Bartlett tells the tale of the ?555.? Trained by U.S. Forest Service Rangers, members of the 555 jumped on some 36 forest fires as first responders, including the 1945 Mt. Baker fire. In the process of helping to save our forests, they gained military fame as the first all-black ?Airborne Infantry Firefighters.?