Comments from LTG James M. Gavin, Wartime Commander, 82nd Airborne Division

When the war had come to an end in Europe, we were becoming concerned about the peacetime Army in an occupational role. One of the problems that came particularly to my attention was the role of black units in the Army. Earlier, in 1930-32, I had served with the all-black 25th Infantry on the Mexican border near Douglas, Arizona. I enjoyed my service with this hard-driving, well-trained regiment. Its members often talked about the histories of our black units in the Spanish American War-a war that made clear their effectiveness in combat providing they were well-trained, well-armed, and well-led. I first encountered the Triple Nickles when I took the 82nd Airborne Division-fresh from a victory parade up New York’s Fifth Avenue-to Fort Bragg. Rumor had it that the Triple Nickles, who had marched in that parade as well, were to be attached to the 82nd. In spite of the fact that the 555th were volunteers and jumpers, outstanding athletes in fine physical condition, there would be two kinds of soldiers at Fort Bragg. The 82nd Airborne was housed in well-maintained barracks with good swimming pools, gymnasiums, chapels, and so forth. Our new friends in the 82nd, the Triple Nickles, were billeted in old tar-paper-covered shacks for barracks. Their swimming pool was not much more than a mud puddle and their bathhouse was a scandal. The 555th did well with what it had been given. Recalling my own experience with black troops, I knew the time had come for a change. The 555th had to be integrated into the 82nd. This was a serious problem and one not to be taken lightly, for our Army had been a two-colored Army for a long time, just as was our society. I was concerned. If I asked by letter for authority to integrate the Triple Nickles into the 82nd there certainly would be opposition. Tradition in the Armed Forces is very strong and I was certain to get a rejection. So I decided to grab the issue and to go directly to the Department of the Army Staff. I went to Washington and called on the Chief of Plans and Operations in the War Department in the Pentagon. I was aware that the 82nd was going to be part of the Army’s Strategic Reserve and that if the 555th were integrated into the 82nd Airborne Division, it too would become part of the Army Strategic Reserve. That meant that the 555th should be superbly trained and equipped and on high priority for the newest equipment and weapons. The G-3, Lieutenant General Hull, had but one question: “General, do you intend to give all those fourrageres and medals that the 82nd won in Europe to the 555th?” “Yes, General,” I replied. “I will, and they will earn them. I’ll see to that.” There was no further discussions. I returned at once to Fort Bragg and the integration order followed. When I first called on the 555th I met the Battalion S-3 Bradley Biggs. He was an impressive officer. A young captain in fine physical shape, alert, enthusiastic, and anxious to help in any way that he could. In his book he tells the story of the Triple Nickles very well. I learned a great deal from serving with him and the 555th. It was a pioneering battalion which filled its role well, thanks to its superb training and the dedication of both Commander and staff. Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin, U.S. Army (Ret.)   555TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, INC. Phone: 813-886-7845 Email: info@triplenickle.com Under Construction | Overview | Products/Services | Success Stories | | Customer Service | What's New | About |