[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       RECOGNIZING WALTER MORRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PATRICK MURPHY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

  Mr. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life of the first African-American paratrooper to be enlisted in the 
U.S. Army. Walter Morris, a retired Second Lieutenant who passed away 
at the age of 92, was the first African-American man accepted for 
airborne duty in the Army. At a time where segregation existed 
prevalently in our country, Mr. Morris broke a barrier, setting the 
precedent for an additional 400 Black paratroopers to serve before the 
end of World War II.
  At the time, then Sergeant Morris led training sessions to mimic 
parachute practice after duty hours to raise the morale of African-
American soldiers. It is the strength, courage, dedication, and 
camaraderie of Mr. Morris for which I am humbled to honor his life here 
today.
  Mr. Morris was an original member of the Triple Nickels, a battalion 
later assigned to a secret mission titled Operation Firefly, a maneuver 
for the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. The Triple 
Nickels had to minimize the damage from aerial attacks by Japanese 
balloon bombs over the Pacific Northwest coast. The Army kept this 
operation secret because they wanted to disguise the fact that the 
Japanese balloon bombs had actually reached the U.S. coastline.
  Mr. Morris's actions paved the way for African-American soldiers to 
become part of one of the most prestigious departments of the U.S. 
Army, the 82nd Airborne Division. He cofounded the African-American 
Cultural Association, an education facility for adults and children. 
Now in its 34th year, the association is a way to ensure the legacy of 
the Triple Nickels.
  Together with Lt. Morris's two daughters, grandson, and two great-
grandsons, we remember the life of an American Hero--someone who stood 
tall in the face of adversity and in unison with his fellow soldiers 
and his country.

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