I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4621 
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 320th Barrage Balloon Bat-
talion, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and 
life-saving actions during the D-Day invasion, and their significant con-
tributions 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. CAR-
TER 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 provi-
sions 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 ex-
traordinary 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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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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 cru-
cial role in protecting the Allied forces during the D- 
Day invasion by deploying barrage balloons to pre-
vent enemy aircraft from targeting the invasion 
forces directly. Their bravery and determination ex-
emplify 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. 
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(4) The brave men of the 320th Barrage Bal-
loon Battalion faced intense enemy fire during the 
D-Day invasion. Their mission was to raise hydro-
gen-filled barrage balloons to protect assaulting in-
fantry and armor from being strafed by enemy air-
craft. 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 bal-
loons being shot down, the battalion successfully de-
ployed their balloons which resulted in the downing 
of a German JU–SS aircraft, significantly contrib-
uting to the overall security and success of the inva-
sion 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 
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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 remov-
ing 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 Gen-
eral John C.H. Lee, but never received it. 
(9) The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion 
served 110 days in France, providing vital air de-
fense 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 deterio-
rating 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, 
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Hawaii, in support of the proposed Allied invasion of 
Japan which never took place. 
(11) A commendation by Supreme Allied Com-
mander General Dwight D. Eisenhower cited the 
unit for conducting its mission with courage and de-
termination, proving to be an important element of 
the air defense team. Despite their significant con-
tributions, 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 con-
tributions and sacrifices of African-American sol-
diers in World War II, whose patriotic commitment 
and perseverance in the face of adversity during D- 
Day deserve national recognition and commemora-
tion. 
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. 
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of 
the House of Representatives and the President pro tem-
pore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements 
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