Compton’s Sgt. Joe Harris, who died at age 108, honored for legacy with all-Black battalion in World War II

Joe Harris, oldest WWII paratrooper who paved way for Black soldiers, dies at 108

The Compton resident was a member of the 'Triple Nickles,' a World War II combat-ready unit who trained as some of America's first 'smokejumpers.'

One of the last surviving veterans of the Battle of Arnhem, Bill Larder, passed away this weekend at the age of 100. The Englishman served in the 11th Parachute Battalion and the 4th Parachute Brigade. In September it was 80 years ago that he was dropped in and around Arnhem together with thousands of other paratroopers. Larder was ashamed of the failure of Operation Market Garden and therefore did not want to return to the Netherlands for a lon…

Compton’s Sgt. Joe Harris, who died at age 108, honored for legacy with all-Black battalion in World War II

By JOSE HERRERA INGLEWOOD — Sgt. Joe Harris, who was believed to have been the oldest surviving World War II paratrooper prior to his death last month at age 108, was laid to rest Saturday with a celebration honoring his life and an enduring legacy. This undated photo provided by Tracie Hunter shows Sgt. Joe Harris. (Tracie Hunter via AP) This photo provided by Tracie Hunter shows Sgt. Joe Harris with family members in Compton, Calif., on March …

How Black paratroopers saved the US from Japan’s WWII firebombs

Sgt. Joe Harris was one of an elite group of Black paratroopers during World War II. He is being laid to rest today. He was 108.

Funeral Services for WWII Oldest Paratrooper to Be Held in Inglewood

Sgt. Joe Harris, who was believed to have been the oldest surviving World War II paratrooper prior to his death last month at age 108, will be laid to rest Saturday Harris, a member of the U.S. Army’s first all-Black parachute infantry battalion, died at age 108 on March 15. According to WWII Beyond the Call, a nonprofit organization that documents veterans’ accounts, he was among the last surviving members of the historic 555th Parachute Infant…