HR4621-119

What This Bill Does

The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion Gold Medal Act commemorates the only American barrage balloon unit in France and the first and only segregated unit of African-American soldiers to land on D-Day beaches. Congressional findings describe the battalion's September 21, 1942 formation, its Utah and Omaha Beach mission, and its use of hydrogen-filled balloons flying around 200 feet to protect assaulting infantry and armor from German aircraft. The findings credit the unit with deploying balloons under fire, downing a German aircraft, contributing to the security of the Normandy invasion, and serving 110 days in France. They also recount Corporal Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., who was wounded when LCT 856 hit a mine and artillery shell but treated casualties for about 30 hours, reportedly saving 200 soldiers, and was recommended for the Medal of Honor by General John C.H. Lee. The operative sections require the Speaker and Senate President pro tempore to arrange presentation of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the battalion, require Treasury to strike it with emblems determined in consultation with Defense, give the medal to the Smithsonian for display and research, encourage display at D-Day, World War II, and African-American servicemember sites, authorize bronze duplicates sold at cost, treat the medals as national medals and numismatic items, and use the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for costs and sale proceeds.

Who Benefits and How

Families of 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion soldiers benefit from national recognition of the unit's D-Day service. African-American military history institutions benefit from a Congressional Gold Medal honoring a segregated World War II unit. Smithsonian Institution curators benefit from receiving the gold medal for display and research. United States Mint medal programs benefit from authority to strike bronze duplicates and recover costs through sales.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Treasury Secretary must strike the gold medal and may strike and sell bronze duplicates. Secretary of Defense must consult on the medal's emblems, devices, and inscriptions. United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund must cover medal costs until duplicate-sale proceeds are deposited. Congressional leadership must arrange the medal presentation on behalf of Congress.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion.
• Recognizes the battalion's D-Day air-defense mission, Normandy service, and African-American military history.
• Directs Treasury to strike the medal after consulting Defense on design.
• Provides the medal to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research.
• Authorizes bronze duplicate sales and deposits proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.