Bound To Stay Bound

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Bulletin for the Center... - 01/01/2013 The blatant injustice and grim irony of fighting European fascism in World War II with a segregated United States military may have been ignored or buried by the top brass, but it certainly wasn’t lost on the black soldiers trained for combat and then relegated to service positions. The extraordinary convergence of a Democratic president (FDR) up for reelection, a black sergeant (Walter Morris) determined to improve his company’s morale, a first lady (Eleanor Roosevelt) with an activist agenda, and a black Brigadier General (Benjamin O. Davis) putting pressure on the War Office made the formation of the 555th Parachute Infantry Company (later Battalion) a reality. The Triple Nickles, as they were nicknamed (the alternative spelling is traditional), seemed destined to break the pattern of blacks barred from combat. As highly trained as the white paratroopers with whom they nominally shared facilities, the 555th were battle ready and anxious for deployment, but it wasn’t until the close of the war that they were finally sent to Oregon on a mission to put out forest fires ignited by Japanese balloon bombs, the very existence of which was kept under tight wraps by the government. Was this a legitimate assignment, or simply another ruse for keeping a group of unwanted men from fighting alongside white soldiers? To date, Stone reports, no definite answer has been reached, but the lingering discrimination in the military throughout the war, and the skill, loyalty, and heroism of the paratroopers themselves, is unquestionable. Richly illustrated with photographs, this compelling story of the Triple Nickles’ training and Pacific coast mission will be of particular interest to young teens who have read Shelley Pearsall’s Jump into the Sky (BCCB 10/12), and the appended bibliography, timeline, notes, and index will guide their further exploration of these heroes. EB - Copyright 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2013 Gr 5 Up—A moving, thoughtful history of the the United States military's first black paratrooper unit. During World War II, African American soldiers were mostly relegated to service and security jobs, generally denied the same training and active-combat positions that were available to their white counterparts. Expertly woven together are two narratives: the large, overarching history of rampant racism in the U.S. military and the smaller, tightly focused account of a group of black soldiers determined to serve their country and demonstrate their value as soldiers. Readers are taken along on the emotional journey with the soldiers as they leapt forward from guard duty at The Parachute School into official paratrooper training, the first of its kind for blacks. They faced multiple setbacks as they encountered discrimination, some justified as "policy" and some that was more personal and insidious. Throughout the book, the courage and strength of these men is evidenced in their tireless quest to be the best at what they do, throwing themselves headlong into sometimes dangerous and terrifying training requirements. The photographs and the design of the book as a whole are a gift to readers. Rich with detail, the pictures not only complement the narrative, but also tell a stirring story of their own, chronicling the triumphs and frustrations of the soldiers as they pursued their dreams. Complete accessibility to a wide range of readers, coupled with expert research and meticulous care, makes this a must-have for any library.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/01/2013 *Starred Review* Starting with a riveting opening that puts readers into the shoes of a paratrooper on a training flight, this large-format book offers an informative introduction to the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Known as the Triple Nickles, they were America’s first black paratrooper unit. Though WWII brought increased racial integration to the military, the pace was painfully slow. This book traces the paratroopers’ story through their training and their long wait for orders to join the fighting overseas–orders that never came. Instead, the Triple Nickles were sent to fight fires in remote areas of western states. Decades passed before the men were officially honored for service to their country. Written with great immediacy, clarity, and authority, Stone’s vivid narrative draws readers into the Triple Nickles’ wartime experiences. Many well-chosen quotes enhance the text, while excellent black-and-white illustrations, mainly photos, document both the men of the 555th and the racial prejudice on the home front. Adding another personal perspective, artist and writer Ashley Bryan, an African American veteran of WWII, contributes the book’s foreword, a drawing, and a painting from the period. This handsome volume documents the sometimes harrowing, often frustrating, and ultimately rewarding experiences of the Triple Nickles. - Copyright 2013 Booklist.

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