World War II Honoree

Jordon J. Corbett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bartow, Florida

Honored By

Alice Gay Harlowe

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ARMY AIRBORNE DIVISION KNOWN AS THE 'TRIPLE NICKELS/SMOKE JUMPERS', 555TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY BATTALION, THE NATION'S FIRST ALL-BLACK PARACHUTE INFANTRY, TEST PLATOON AND COMPANY. THEY WERE SENT TO PENDLETON AIR BASE ON A HIGHLY CLASSIFIED, SECRET MISSION CALLED OPERATION FIREFLY. THE JAPANESE HAD BEGUN LAUNCHING HYDROGEN FILLED, EXPLOSIVE BALLOON BOMBS THAT WERE INTENDED TO DESTROY AMERICAN WOODLANDS AND CROPS. THE MEN WERE THE ARMY'S FIRST AND ONLY AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTERS DROPPED BY PARACHUTES TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES STARTED BY THESE BALLOON BOMBS DURING WWII.