Sponsors (15)
The bill provides formal recognition and preserves the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion’s place in history while funding medal production through Mint sales to avoid new appropriations — at the trade-off of limited physical access to the single gold medal, potential higher prices/numismatic prioritization, and modest fiscal or administrative risks to Mint and federal agencies.
Veterans of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion and their families receive formal congressional recognition and a Smithsonian-held tribute that preserves and honors their WWII service.
Students and the public gain a fuller, better-preserved historical record that highlights African‑American contributions in WWII, improving education, display, and research opportunities.
The Mint can sell bronze duplicate medals and treat the medals as numismatic items so production can recover costs and proceeds are returned to the Mint’s fund, enabling production without new appropriations.
Only a single congressional gold medal is created for the collective unit, which may limit families' ability to have a personal, custodial medal.
Classifying medals as numismatic and selling duplicates at market/numismatic prices could prioritize revenue over free public distribution and raise prices for buyers; if sales underperform taxpayers could indirectly bear a minor subsidy risk.
Shifting production charges to the Mint Public Enterprise Fund moves costs within the Mint’s operations, which could reduce funds available for other Mint projects or force higher prices for purchasers; lack of specified dollar limits reduces transparency and oversight of these charges.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by Marc Veasey · Last progress July 22, 2025
Authorizes Congress to present a single Congressional Gold Medal honoring the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion for its service on D-Day and in World War II. Directs the Treasury to have the medal struck, gives the gold medal to the Smithsonian for public display and research, allows the Mint to sell bronze duplicates at cost to recover expenses, and treats the medals as numismatic items under federal law.