While documenting the juke joints of the Milledgeville/Baldwin County area, for another exhibit I was curating, I encountered Adam Hawkins’ name for the first time.
The American Legion, located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, is a well know spot in the history of the Milledgeville music scene, with the reputation as a happening place that had bands performing regularly. It is also an important piece of our community’s African American history. Founded in 1947 by Sgt. William Collier, a World War I veteran, and originally on the corner of Gwinnett St. (now MLK, Jr. Drive) and North Columbia St., the post is one of the few dedicated African American Legion posts in the country. The post burned in the early 1950s and in 1952 moved to its current location, 423 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
The post is formally named the Warren-Hawkins American Legion Post 523, named for two Milledgeville World War Two veterans, 2nd Lt. Cleveland Warren and Pvt. Adam Hawkins. Warren served in Italy with the 3rd Infantry Division and died of wounds received in February 1944. Hawkins was listed as a member of the 555th Parachute Infantry Company, however, at the time I came across this information, the bio on the American Legion’s webpage stated Adam had died in an auto accident in Milledgeville in July 1944.
In searching for a photograph of Adam, I connected with relatives still here in Middle Georgia, and across the country, in Michigan. I soon learned that Adam did not die in an automobile accident, and with the help of Adam's family, this exhibit corrects the historical record, rightfully honoring the death of the first African American parachutist to die in the service of the United States, Adam Hawkins, of Milledgeville, Georgia.
A special thank you to Charles Lucas, James Hawkins, and the entire Hawkins family.
The Sky's the Limit digital exhibit shares the story of Adam Hawkins, of Milledgeville, Georgia, and the 555th Parachute Infantry. Known as the "Triple Nickels," the 555th played a pivotal role in U.S. military history as the first all-Black airborne unit during World War II. Despite facing racial segregation and discrimination, these courageous soldiers demonstrated exceptional combat abilities, professionalism, and resilience. Their primary mission was to combat forest fires caused by Japanese balloon bombs on the U.S. West Coast, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness. Beyond their firefighting duties, the Triple Nickels challenged racial stereotypes, paving the way for greater integration in the U.S. military. Their legacy exemplifies the importance of diversity, equal opportunity, and the contributions of African Americans in the armed forces.
World War Two (WWII), spanning from 1939 to 1945, was a cataclysmic global conflict that reshaped the course of history. It emerged from the aftermath of World War I, with Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany, led by fascist ideology, seeking to dominate Europe. The war's origins lay in Hitler's territorial expansion, with the invasion of Poland in September 1939 triggering its outbreak.
The conflict involved major Allied powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, pitted against the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy. WWII witnessed a series of major events, including the Holocaust, a systematic genocide against millions of Jews and others; D-Day, the massive Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944; the Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point on the Eastern Front; and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, hastening Japan's surrender.
WWII encompassed battles across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, causing immense devastation, loss of life, and economic upheaval. It resulted in the United Nations' establishment, aimed at preventing future conflicts, and the division of Germany into East and West. The war's end marked the beginning of the Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union emerging as superpowers. WWII's legacy is enduring, serving as a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of diplomacy, cooperation, and international organizations in maintaining global peace and security.
During World War II, the United States military was racially segregated, reflecting the deeply ingrained racism and discrimination that pervaded American society at the time.
The U.S. Army maintained segregated units for African Americans, most notably the 92nd and 93rd Divisions. These units were often assigned to non-combat roles and faced unequal treatment in terms of training, equipment, and facilities. African American soldiers endured both institutional discrimination and racism from their white counterparts.
In the Marine Corps, African Americans were initially excluded entirely but were later allowed to serve in segregated units, known as the Montford Point Marines. They faced similar discrimination and limited opportunities for advancement.
The Navy also practiced segregation, with African Americans typically relegated to roles as mess attendants and service personnel. The Coast Guard and the Army Air Corps had similar policies of segregation and discrimination.
Despite these challenges, African Americans served with distinction during WWII, demonstrating their valor and capabilities. The inequality and discrimination experienced by Black soldiers during the war contributed to the broader civil rights movement, which gained momentum in the post-war years. Ultimately, President Harry S. Truman's 1948 Executive Order 9981 desegregated the armed forces, marking a significant step toward racial integration in the U.S. military and society as a whole.
Courage Has No Color, the True Story of the Triple Nickles by 
American Patriots by 
Half American by 
Forgotten by 
Black Warriors: the Buffalo Soldiers of World War II by 
The US Army's First, Last, and Only All-Black Rangers by 
The Black Panthers by 
Brothers in Arms by 
Freedom Flyers by 
Immortal Valor by 
Devotion by 
We Return Fighting by 