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Operation Firefly Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 57 ratings


A compelling work of historical fiction written by former director of corporate communications for the Office of Naval Research Liane Young, Operation Firefly reveals the amazing true story of the smokejumpers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the US Army’s first all-black test platoon.

Toward the end of WWII, the Japanese begin attaching incendiary and antipersonnel bombs to hydrogen-filled paper balloons and sending them across the Pacific Ocean. Over the course of the Fu-Go program, almost ten thousand balloon bombs are launched, setting off hundreds of forest fires along the West Coast of the United States. But in a ploy to trick the Japanese into thinking their bombing campaign is ineffective, the US government keeps it all under wraps. After six innocent civilians are killed, the “Triple Nickles” are quietly dispatched to Pendleton Field, Oregon, on Operation Firefly.

Young draws you into this riveting, little-known chapter of American history by masterfully weaving the story of Captain Tucker Freeman and several other fictionalized characters into factual accounts.

This remarkable eighteen-man team’s missions have them parachuting into dangerous situations to fight forest fires and defuse live Fu-Go bombs. Facing external racism and internal personality clashes, the tension builds, culminating in a dramatic race against the clock at a top-secret Manhattan Project site.


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Liane Young is a retired director of corporate communications for the Office of Naval Research. She is the winner of the 2012 Virginia Screenwriting Competition for Operation Firefly, which tells the amazing, little-known story of the US Army's first all-black test platoon, the "Triple Nickles" 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Currently living with her husband, Tom, in Virginia, she is working on her next novel, The Himalayan Teapot.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00N0SYFNM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Foofaraw Publishing (August 24, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 24, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3262 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 255 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

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Liane Young
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Liane Young is a retired director of corporate communications for the Office of Naval Research. She is the winner of the 2012 Virginia Screenwriting Competition for Operation Firefly, which tells the amazing, little-known story of the US Army's first all-black test platoon, the "Triple Nickles" 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. She lives with her husband, Tom, in Virginia, where she is working on her next novel, The Himalayan Teapot.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story remarkable and inspiring. They appreciate the blend of historical fact and fiction, and the real-life history of the Triple Nickels. Readers describe the book as an enjoyable, well-written read with vivid character development that brings them to life.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it remarkable and inspiring, revealing real-life history of the Triple Nickels. The book blends historical fact with fiction, making it enjoyable and enlightening. Readers appreciate the brave actions of unknown heroes and heroines.

"I love it. It is both a motivational and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...I enjoyed reading about their brave actions not once faltering for our country. These men deserve more recognition for all that they achieved...." Read more

"Based on actual events, it's a story that needs to be told. It's a bonus that it is also an intetesting, well written book." Read more

"A very inspiring story giving credit to the Negro Men who risked and some who gave their lives to take on a highly secret mission during the 2nd..." Read more

6 customers mention "Enjoyment"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They say it's well-written and an enjoyable read.

"I love it. It is both a motivational and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...It's a bonus that it is also an intetesting, well written book." Read more

"The book is well written, makes for an easy read and is very enjoyable...." Read more

"Enjoyable and enlightening. First knowledge of Japan's Fu go balloon program and the triple knuckle black paratroopers...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers like the character development. They say the characters come alive for them.

"...The characters sprang to life for me. Airborne all the way!" Read more

"...The characters come alive and you feel like you are a part of the story...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the author's presentation of the characters...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

  • Aaron Clyke
    5.0 out of 5 stars History that is never shown
    Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2019
    Really enjoyed this book. The characters reach out and grab you by your shirt and take you for a ride! I just can't believe this was a part of African American history you just never ever hear about. I know sometimes this happens and it is not the first time, and I'm sure it will not be the last. Never the less, this is a book that hooks you, beyond just the fact that it is such a tragedy that it is a story that needs to be told. Over and over again.

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