Sgt. Joe Harris, believed to be the oldest surviving World War II paratrooper and a distinguished member of the U.S. Army’s first all-Black parachute infantry battalion, passed away at the age of 108.
His death occurred on March 15 in a Los Angeles hospital, accompanied by family, as his grandson Ashton Pittman confirmed. A full military funeral is scheduled for April 5 in his honor.
Pittman described Harris as a profoundly loving individual, emphasizing how Harris lived by the principle of loving one another. Harris belonged to the historic 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the Triple Nickles, which played a crucial role in defending the U.S. against Japanese balloon bombs during World War II, as explained by Robert L. Bartlett, a retired professor with expertise in the 555th.
In the period of 1944 and 1945, Japan deployed thousands of these balloons via the Pacific jet stream targeting the U.S. mainland. Typically, Black Americans were assigned support roles in the segregated military. Under pressure, President Franklin Roosevelt and the military recruited Harris and hundreds of other Black men, training them for fire-fighting missions on the West Coast.
While serving, the battalion faced persistent racism, with restricted access to certain facilities unless they were designated for Black soldiers. Bartlett highlighted this dual struggle — to be acknowledged as equals while preparing to fight overseas and gain respect at home.
Pittman acknowledged his grandfather’s courage to serve in an era when his country did not reciprocate love or care. Joe Harris was born June 19, 1916, in West Dale, Louisiana, according to Tracie Hunter of WWII Beyond The Call, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving veterans’ stories. Harris joined the military in 1941 at age 24, after registering for the draft.
By the time of his honorable discharge in November 1945, Harris had completed 72 parachute jumps. Post-war, he worked with the U.S. Border Patrol and spent over six decades in Compton, California, where he was recognized as a community figure. Pittman reflected on his grandfather’s life as one of celebration, acknowledging the mourning of his absence but emphasizing his grandfather’s wish for a celebratory remembrance.
Harris is survived by his son, Pirate Joe Harris Sr., two daughters Michaun Harris and Latanya Pittman, and five grandchildren. His spouse, Louise Harris, passed away in 1981, and another grandchild also predeceased him.
Pittman recounted his grandfather’s frequent inquiries about whether he would ever skydive. In October, Pittman honored his grandfather by completing paratrooper training with the Liberty Jump Team in Corsicana, Texas. Upon earning his wings, Pittman was moved to tears, recognizing the connection to his grandfather’s path.
Shortly before Harris’ passing, a landing zone in Tuskegee, Alabama, was named in his honor. Pittman expressed his intention to be the first to parachute there, commemorating Sgt. Joe Harris.