Courage has no color : the true story of the Triple Nickles : America's first Black paratroopers

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Title:

Courage has no color : the true story of the Triple Nickles : America's first Black paratroopers

Alternate title:

True story of the Triple Nickles : America's first Black paratroopers

Author:

Stone, Tanya Lee, author.

Summary:

Examines the role of African-Americans in the military through the history of the Triple Nickles, America's first black paratroopers, who fought against attacks perpetrated on the American West by the Japanese during World War II.

Edition:

1st ed.

Physical Description:

147 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.

Corporate Subject:

United States. Army. Parachute Infantry Battalion, 555th -- History -- Juvenile literature.

United States. Army -- African American troops -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.

United States. Army -- Parachute troops -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories -- United States -- Juvenile literature.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, African American -- Juvenile literature.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Western Front -- Juvenile literature.

African American soldiers -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.

African Americans -- Social conditions -- To 1964 -- Juvenile literature.

Race discrimination -- United States -- Juvenile literature.

Publisher:

Candlewick Press,

Publication Date:

2013

ISBN:

9780763651176

Publication Information:

Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2013.

Call Number:

J 940.54 STONE

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003109397	Juvenile Nonfiction	940.54 STONE	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

They became America's first black paratroopers. Why was their story never told? Sibert Medalist Tanya Lee Stone reveals the history of the Triple Nickles during World War II.

World War II is raging, and thousands of American soldiers are fighting overseas against the injustices brought on by Hitler. Back on the home front, the injustice of discrimination against African Americans plays out as much on Main Street as in the military. Enlisted black men are segregated from white soldiers and regularly relegated to service duties. At Fort Benning, Georgia, First Sergeant Walter Morris's men serve as guards at The Parachute School, while the white soldiers prepare to be paratroopers. Morris knows that for his men to be treated like soldiers, they have to train and act like them, but would the military elite and politicians recognize the potential of these men as well as their passion for serving their country? Tanya Lee Stone examines the role of African Americans in the military through the history of the Triple Nickles, America's first black paratroopers, who fought in a little-known attack on the American West by the Japanese. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in the words of Morris, "proved that the color of a man had nothing to do with his ability."

From Courage Has No Color
What did it take to be a paratrooper in World War II? Specialized training, extreme physical fitness, courage, and -- until the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (the Triple Nickles) was formed -- white skin. It is 1943. Americans are overseas fighting World War II to help keep the world safe from Adolf Hitler's tyranny, safe from injustice, safe from discrimination. Yet right here at home, people with white skin have rights that people with black skin do not. What is courage? What is strength? Perhaps it is being ready to fight for your nation even when your nation isn't ready to fight for you. Front matter includes a foreword by Ashley Bryan. Back matter includes an author's note, an appendix, a time line, source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

Author Notes

Tanya Lee Stone studied English at Oberlin College and was an editor of children's nonfiction for many years. She also has a Masters Degree. She teaches writing at Champlain College. After many years as an editor. Tanya moved to Vermont and returned to writing. This award-winning author has written titles that include the young adult novel, A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl, Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald , picture books Elizabeth Leads the Way, Sandy's Circus, and Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? She has also written narrative nonfiction with her titles: Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, and The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie. In 2014 her title, Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, made The New York Times Best Seller List.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5 Up-Stone's book (Candlewick, 2013) presents a history of racial segregation and integration in the U.S. military during World War II and a relatively unknown but important group of unsung heroes. Initially, a group of African-American soldiers served as guards at the Parachute School at Fort Benning, GA, while their white counterparts were trained to be paratroopers. Battling prejudice and resistance from military and political leaders, these enlisted men became part of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, and were known as the Triple Nickles. The fully trained unit was not wanted on either the European or the Pacific war fronts, but they served the war effort as fire jumpers in our Pacific Northwest. At first, it seemed that they were just there to fight forest fires, but, unknown to most Americans, the Japanese had started sending balloon bombs to our shores. Most of these bombs didn't detonate, but they needed to be found and disarmed without alerting residents or letting the Japanese know that their bombs had reached our shores. The Triple Nickles discreetly searched the forests and disarmed the bombs to keep Americans safe. At the end of the war, the Triple Nickles were integrated into a previously all-white military unit. In 1948, President Truman ordered the integration of all military branches. JD Jackson ably narrates, bringing the account to life. Be sure to have the print version of this expertly researched book available so listeners can peruse the photos that perfectly complement the narrative.-Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Stone (Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream) opens with an enticing question, "What is it like to jump out of an airplane?" The answer, which lets readers imagine doing just that as a paratrooper, will immediately draw them into this thorough story of the U.S. military's first black paratroopers. More than just an account of their endeavors during WWII, the narrative takes on a broader perspective as it contextualizes the story of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Set against the entrenched racism of the 1940s, the nine chapters include asides about media stereotypes regarding African-Americans and how photographs of black soldiers were often left out of the military record. Myriad quotations from personal interviews and more than 100 b&w photos reveal the heroism and perseverance of these groundbreaking men. While they didn't see combat (they were instead sent out West to become smoke jumpers), Stone's final chapters reveal how the Triple Nickles' service helped integrate both the military and society at large. A captivating look at a small but significant piece of military and civil rights history. Ages 10-up. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Excerpts

What did it take to be a paratrooper in World War II? Specialized training, extreme physical fitness, courage, and -- until the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (the Triple Nickles) was formed -- white skin. It is 1943. Americans are overseas fighting World War II to help keep the world safe from Adolf Hitler's tyranny, safe from injustice, safe from discrimination. Yet right here at home, people with white skin have rights that people with black skin do not. What is courage? What is strength? Perhaps it is being ready to fight for your nation even when your nation isn't ready to fight for you. Excerpted from Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles - America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.