Smoke Jumpers: The 555th Parachute Battalion

The men of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the "Triple Nickels," were trained for a secret mission code named Operation Firefly. Their highly classified job was to protect America's west coast from Japanese balloon bombs, which had been designed to ignite firestorms in coastal forests and cities. Unit members courageously participated in dangerous fire-fighting missions throughout the Pacific Northwest during the summer and fall of 1945, earning the nickname "Smoke Jumpers" in addition to "Triple Nickles." (U.S. Army)