Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America's First Black Paratroopers (Junior Library Guild Selection)

History, perhaps more than any other subject taught in our public schools, is subject to the whims of politicians and bureaucrats who, sadly, base far too many of their decisions about what students will learn on their personal racial and gender biases.As a public school student in the 1950s and 1960s, for example, I learned about white soldiers who fought against the Axis Powers during World War II.I learned their names and studied their exploits.It wasn't until much later, long after I had graduated from high school, that I learned about the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, African-American pilots and air crews who were members of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group. They compiled an amazing combat record during World War II but I was denied the opportunity to know about them while attending public schools in Connecticut, New York and Ohio. Their contributions were not taught in my classes; there were no books about them in the libraries of the schools I attended.It was later still that I learned about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed of Japanese-Americans who fought heroically in Europe, receiving more medals for bravery under fire than ANY other U.S. unit.And it wasn't until I recently purchased and read 'Courage Has No Color' that I learned about the first all-black paratroop battalion in World War II.The 555th Parachute Battalion was denied the opportunity to do battle in Europe or the Pacific because some of the most revered names in American military history - including Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall - were unwilling to send them into combat.Instead, the Triple Nickles trained hard and were ready to fight, only to be shunted aside by a white power structure that considered them unfit for combat duty based solely upon the color of their skin.That did not mean, however, that they did not contribute to the war effort.Unlike most paratroopers, who seldom make jumps in combat, the 555th recorded 1,200 jumps into hostile environments.Not against enemy troops.Against forest fires.Author Tanya Lee Stone has done a wonderful job in helping to bring to light the story of this pioneering unit that showed the white establishment that men of color could meet, and exceed, the military's exacting standards.Written in clear, straightforward language, this is a book that's designed for young people but, as someone who is well into his 60s, I must say that I would recommend it to anyone of any age who is truly interested in the history of the United States and its military.And that includes those elected officials and bureaucrats at both local and state levels who perpetuate the mindless racism that keeps American students from learning about ALL the people of the United States and the contributions that they have made to this country.

This book tells a long overdue section of history not shared very much until recently. The Triple Nickels had courage in the air, on the ground, and in the communities they visited. In spite of the courageous service they provided, because they were black they were given no gratitude for their heroic acts as smoke jumpers. A little too late, but at least now told, this story sheds light on how racial injustice towards black men in the army occurred even by those whose lives were spared by their missions.

Kindle format book was good but short. Learned some new things about the war. Good to understand and know the spirit of the black men training to be paratroopers. It’s a shame what they any many other black men and women in the military had to and still have to go through. Quick read you will enjoy.

Miss Stone's retelling of these great men and their battle to be recognized as true soldiers and Americans will always be important and timeless. As a veteran and a Black man I know how they feel and felt about being willing to stand up for your country even when that country treated you as a second class citizen. I'm glad to see that we as a country are starting to make progress as a nation by including all Americans regardless of race or sex. Great work Miss Stone for writing this book. I hope it appears in every school library to help us all understand that history comes in all colors.

Courage Has No Color was an excellent historical book I read aloud to my 8, 11 & 13 year old. The author does a beautiful job narrating the irony of how our country was at war with one of the most prejudice leaders our world has known (Hitler) while African-America soldiers were facing with racial prejudice within our own country/military. This book shares many insights that I do not recall ever learning in history. I was fascinated by the information on the balloons with bombs that were floated into our country and how the Triple Nickles were instrumental in fighting WWII on our countries home front. Excellent book to read alone or in combination with other material to stimulate conversation on WWII, Black History Month and Civil Rights. The illustrations, photos and interviews are excellent. Beautiful Book.

I'm often searching for more knowledge of self, so coming across this story helps define me and my purpose. I truly believe knowing our grandfathers and grandmothers stories are key to this process.

Book was in excellent condition.

My husband was very happy to see the book on his desk.

There need to be more books written about ths subject. These men have either been long forgotten or never even heard of.