As part of a weeklong Earth Day celebration of New York's accomplishments and commitment to protecting our environment, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today unveiled a new interpretive kiosk and re-named an accessible trail at the Kings Park Unique Area in honor of long-time town of Huntington resident Sgt. Clarence Hylan Beavers. The announcement is in honor of the late Sgt. Beavers, who along with 16 other World War II era African-American paratroopers became one of the nation’s first groups of smokejumpers and helped lead the way toward military integration in the late 1940s. Mr. Beavers passed away on December 4, 2017, at the age of 96.

“I am in awe of men like Sgt. Beavers,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The mission Triple Nickle members had was unique, dangerous and groundbreaking in terms of breaking down stereotypes, creating one of the most effective wildland firefighting programs the world has ever seen, and in defending our nation during a time of war. Sgt. Beavers stood for love of country and a willingness to undertake any mission no matter how novel, dangerous, or difficult, if it meant defending America and its vital natural resources. DEC is truly honored that a trail so close to his long-time Huntington home now bears his name.”

Sgt. Beavers was the last surviving member of the first all African-American paratroopers from the 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion known as the Triple Nickles. During World War II, Triple Nickle paratroopers worked with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service on Operation Firefly, a joint military and Forest Service mission designed to prevent Japanese incendiary bomb attacks from ravaging the nation’s western forests.

“The Forest Service is honored to partner with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Triple Nickles’ Association to dedicate this trail named after one of our agency’s first African-American smokejumpers,” said Interim USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Mr. Beavers provided valuable contributions to the Forest Service and his country at a critical time in our nation’s history.”

Considered a “test platoon,” Triple Nickles’ original goal of fighting in Europe during World War II was thwarted when military leaders feared racial tensions would disrupt operations. At the same time, the USDA Forest Service asked for military assistance. The Japanese were launching balloons carrying incendiary bombs across the Pacific to start forest fires in the northwestern U.S. In the summer of 1945, the Triple Nickle paratroopers were reassigned to work with the Forest Service on a secret mission called “Operation Firefly.”

In addition to fighting bomb-sparked fires, these men fought naturally-caused fires making hundreds of fire jumps.

"Clarence (Sgt. Beavers) was a standout leader from the beginning," said Joseph Murchison National President, 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Inc. "His leadership was key to the important wartime mission 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion paratroopers performed."   

“The naming of this trail after the late Sgt. Clarence Hylan Beavers is truly fitting,” said Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan. “Volunteering for the first all African-American paratroopers in the 1940s and protecting our country in “Operation Firefly” shows that Sgt. Beavers embodied courage, honor, and grit. I am proud to call Sgt. Beavers an American Hero and one of New York’s finest.”

Kings Park Unique Area

Kings Park Unique Area is a 69-acre green space, located at the southwest corner of Meadow and Lawrence Roads in Kings Park. The area is open for hiking, bowhunting, and wildlife viewing and features an accessible parking lot and trail. The land, originally part of the Kings Park State Hospital, was transferred to DEC in 1966 to serve as a "greenway" for the surrounding residential developments.

Hiking is allowed throughout property. The trails lead hikers through oak brush and early successional habitat. The longest hiking trail is the 1.1-mile blue loop trail. The Clarence Hylan Beavers Memorial Trail is a 0.3-mile accessible trail made of crushed stone and sand. The trail drops one foot in elevation for every 20 feet in length.

For more information on the Kings Park Unique Area, please visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/81099.html

555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion

For more information on the 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion, please visit:  www.triplenickle.com.