WWII Paratrooper Sgt. Joe Harris (Photo: Tracie Hunter)
Sgt. Joe Harris, the oldest surviving World War II paratrooper, will be honored with full military funeral services. Harris, who was 108 years old, passed away on March 15 in Los Angeles, surrounded by family. His contributions as a member of the Army’s historic 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the “Triple Nickles,” will be remembered during a ceremony recognizing his service and trailblazing role in U.S. military history.
Harris’s funeral service will take place on April 5 at Lewis Metropolitan CME Church in Los Angeles, followed by a military procession to Inglewood Park Cemetery. The event will feature a WWII-era Willys Jeep escort, full military honors, and a flyover by a C-47 aircraft. A celebration of life reception will follow at Harris’s longtime home in Compton, where family, friends, fellow Veterans, and dignitaries will share reflections on his life.
Sgt. Harris was among the last surviving members of the all-Black airborne battalion, which played a role in protecting the U.S. from Japanese balloon bomb attacks during World War II. The battalion’s mission, known as Operation Firefly, involved parachuting into remote areas to combat wildfires caused by these incendiary devices. The Triple Nickles also faced racial discrimination, often denied access to base facilities, yet they persevered and paved the way for the eventual integration of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Born on June 19, 1916, in West Dale, Louisiana, Harris was drafted into the military in 1941 at the age of 24. By the time he was honorably discharged in 1945, he had completed 72 parachute jumps. After the war, he worked for the U.S. Border Patrol and became a respected community figure in Compton, where he was known as a neighborhood patriarch.
Earlier this year, Harris received a visit from wildland firefighters and Marine Corps Veterans. They presented him with a Pulaski firefighting tool and a paratrooper patch, symbolizing the connection between his legacy and today’s firefighting efforts. Additionally, a landing zone in Tuskegee, Alabama, was recently dedicated in his name.
READ MORE: USMC VETERANS AND WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS PAY TRIBUTE TO WWII VETERAN JOE HARRIS
His grandson, Ashton Pittman, who trained as a paratrooper in honor of his grandfather, expressed both sorrow and pride. Pittman told The Associated Press that his grandfather was brave enough to serve a country that didn’t always love him back, and he deserves to be remembered.
Harris is survived by his son, Pirate Joe Harris Sr., daughters Michaun Harris and Latanya Pittman, and five grandchildren. His wife, Louise Harris, passed away in 1981.
Media outlets are invited to cover this historic event, with opportunities to speak to family members, military historians, and fellow Veterans. For press inquiries, contact Tracie Hunter at (210) 954-6990 or WWIIBeyondTheCall@gmail.com.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.