H.R. 4621

[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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