First black paratrooper pins grandson [View All]

[Superfly]

Airborne!
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The first black paratrooper in the Army, retired 1st Sgt. Walter Morris, earned his wings 60 years ago last month. He pinned those very wings on his grandson at an Airborne graduation Jan. 30 on Fryar Drop Zone.

Retired 1st Sgt. Walter Morris poses next to his grandson, 1st Lt. Michael Fowles, at the Airborne School graduation.

“When he pinned on my wings, he said he was proud of me and this was one of the best days of his life,” said 1st Lt. Michael Fowles, executive officer, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, S.C.

“Then he said he’d kill me if I lost his wings. I said I would protect them with my life,” Fowles said.

Those small, silver wings represent the first steps to integrating the Army and eventually America.

“The Army was totally segregated, and we were the first colored outfit to be integrated into a combat division,” said retired Col. Joseph Murchison, president of the 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Inc.

“I think we led the way to integration. Without the 555th and Morris’ efforts, we would not have the diverse military and civilian society we do now,” Murchison said.

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