[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4621 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4621
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 320th Barrage Balloon
Battalion, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism
and life-saving actions during the D-Day invasion, and their
significant contributions to the success of the Allied forces during
World War II.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 22, 2025
Mr. Veasey (for himself, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Carson, Mr.
Khanna, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Carter of
Louisiana, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Ms.
Sherrill, and Mr. Lawler) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the
Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 320th Barrage Balloon
Battalion, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism
and life-saving actions during the D-Day invasion, and their
significant contributions to the success of the Allied forces during
World War II.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``320th Barrage Balloon Battalion Gold
Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion was formed on
September 21, 1942, just a year after the Coastal Artillery
Corps took over responsibility for barrage balloons from the
Army Air Corps. Their first combat assignment was at the Utah
and Omaha beaches in Normandy, France, for the D-Day invasion.
(2) The Soldiers of the Battalion played a crucial role in
protecting the Allied forces during the D-Day invasion by
deploying barrage balloons to prevent enemy aircraft from
targeting the invasion forces directly. Their bravery and
determination exemplify the valor and dedication of African-
American soldiers during World War II.
(3) The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion was unique at
Normandy for two reasons. First, it was the only American
barrage balloon unit in France and second, it was the first and
only segregated unit of African-American Soldiers to land on
the beaches during D-Day.
(4) The brave men of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion
faced intense enemy fire during the D-Day invasion. Their
mission was to raise hydrogen-filled barrage balloons to
protect assaulting infantry and armor from being strafed by
enemy aircraft. The balloons flew at an altitude of around 200
feet to defend soldiers landing on the beaches against strafing
attacks by German aircraft.
(5) The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion came up with an
ingenious solution to one problem they had during the landing.
They refitted RL-31 Signal Corps field cable winches with
barrage balloon reels, which weighed only 35 pounds and were
mounted in the back of a jeep to deploy and control balloons on
D-Day.
(6) Despite the severe conditions and many balloons being
shot down, the battalion successfully deployed their balloons
which resulted in the downing of a German JU-SS aircraft,
significantly contributing to the overall security and success
of the invasion and the Allied victory.
(7) Additionally, at approximately 10:15 A.M. on June 6,
1944, five battalion medics with the 320th were the first to
land on Omaha Beach, with crews of three-to-four men joining
them shortly after U.S. Army Corporal Waverly B. Woodson, Jr.,
was among them.
(8) Corporal Woodson was injured when his Landing Craft,
Tank (LCT 856) hit a sea mine and was, then, struck by an
artillery shell. Despite his injuries, Woodson continued to
perform his duties, conducting an amputation, setting limbs and
removing bullets over a 30-hour period. He even revived three
men via artificial respiration. His efforts on D-Day are
believed to have saved 200 soldiers, and he was recommended for
the Medal of Honor by General John C.H. Lee, but never received
it.
(9) The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion served 110 days in
France, providing vital air defense during the critical early
stages of the invasion. In late July 1944, Battery A of the
320th moved from Omaha Beach to the port city of Cherbourg,
while the remaining batteries stayed on Omaha and Utah Beaches
until early October, when deteriorating weather prevented ships
from landing.
(10) Following their service in the European Theater, the
320th underwent training at Camp Stewart, Georgia, prior to
their deployment to the Pacific. On May 6, 1945, the 320th
arrived in Oahu, Hawaii, in support of the proposed Allied
invasion of Japan which never took place.
(11) A commendation by Supreme Allied Commander General
Dwight D. Eisenhower cited the unit for conducting its mission
with courage and determination, proving to be an important
element of the air defense team. Despite their significant
contributions, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion has not
received the recognition it deserves in the annals of World War
II history.
(12) Henry Parham, the last surviving member of this unit,
died in July 2021. His passing marked the end of an era,
marking it fitting to honor the memory and service of these
brave men.
(13) The story of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion
serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions and
sacrifices of African-American soldiers in World War II, whose
patriotic commitment and perseverance in the face of adversity
during D-Day deserve national recognition and commemoration.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress,
of a single gold medal of appropriate design in honor of the 320th
Barrage Balloon Battalion, collectively, in recognition of their
extraordinary heroism and bravery during the D-Day invasion, and their
significant contributions to the success of the Allied forces during
World War II.
(b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in
this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary,
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in
honor of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the gold medal
shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be
available for display as appropriate and available for
research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal awarded
pursuant to this Act available for display elsewhere,
particularly at appropriate locations associated with D-Day,
World War II, and African-American servicemembers.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold
medal struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the cost
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medal.--Medals struck pursuant to this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States
Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEED OF SALE.
(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to be
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such
amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck
under this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the
United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
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