Congressional Gold Medal Authorized for the All-Black WWII 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion

The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the all-Black 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion for their extraordinary service and bravery during World War II, specifically the D-Day invasion. This bill is about making sure a critical, yet often overlooked, piece of American military history finally gets the recognition it deserves. The medal will be a single, official honor presented by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, recognizing the unit's unique role as the only American barrage balloon unit and the first and only segregated African-American unit to land on the beaches in Normandy.

The D-Day Unit That Flew Balloons

For those who haven't heard of them, the 320th was crucial to air defense on the ground. Their job was to launch hydrogen-filled barrage balloons hundreds of feet into the air to prevent German aircraft from flying low and strafing the incoming troops and tanks. Think of it as a low-tech, high-impact air defense system. The bill highlights their success, noting that their presence was enough to deter low-level attacks and is even credited with helping down a German JUSS aircraft. This wasn't a desk job; the unit served 110 days in France under heavy fire, contributing directly to the success of the invasion, which General Dwight D. Eisenhower himself commended.

Honoring Heroism and History

Section 2 of the bill focuses on the incredible story of Corporal Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., a medic from the battalion who, despite being wounded when his landing craft hit a mine, worked for 30 hours straight on Omaha Beach. He performed amputations and saved an estimated 200 soldiers, yet he was never awarded the Medal of Honor he was recommended for. While this bill grants a unit award, not an individual one, the findings section ensures that stories like Woodson’s are officially part of the record being honored. This isn't just about a medal; it's about correcting the historical record and ensuring the sacrifices of these African-American soldiers are acknowledged as a national honor.

What Happens to the Medal?

Once presented, the original gold medal won’t end up in a private collection. Under Section 3, the medal must be immediately transferred to the Smithsonian Institution for permanent preservation, display, and research. This ensures the public, historians, and future generations can access and learn about the unit’s contributions. Furthermore, Congress suggests the Smithsonian should try to display the medal at other relevant places connected to D-Day and African-American service history.

Paying for the Honor

Since gold medals aren't cheap, the bill includes a clear funding mechanism. The cost of striking the medal will be covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (Section 6). To offset these costs, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to create and sell bronze duplicate medals to the public (Section 4). The money generated from selling these duplicates—which must be priced to cover all production costs, including labor and materials—will be paid right back into the Mint’s fund. This makes the recognition procedurally clean, using existing federal funds and revenue streams, classifying the medals as official “national medals” and “numismatic items” (Section 5).