Sponsors (15)
The bill provides formal recognition and preserves the history of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion and allows public purchase of commemorative medals through Mint channels—improving public memory and access—while creating modest production and administrative costs and potential pressures on Mint and museum priorities without adding substantive programmatic benefits.
Veterans, African‑American communities, students, museums, and the general public will see formal recognition and preservation of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion’s WWII service (including Corporal Waverly B. Woodson Jr.'s actions), improving historical record, inclusive public memory, and educational access.
Collectors, families, and the public can buy officially recognized bronze duplicate medals through the Mint’s numismatic authorities, increasing access to commemorative items and boosting their perceived legitimacy and availability.
The U.S. Mint is authorized to recoup production costs and deposit proceeds into the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund, which can reduce the need for new appropriations and support future minting activities.
Taxpayers could still incur production and administrative costs (and net costs if sales are lower than expected) for striking and distributing medals, creating a small federal expense with no ongoing programmatic benefit.
Managing production and sales places administrative burdens on the Secretary and the Mint and could reduce Public Enterprise Fund resources available for other Mint programs or services.
The measure is largely ceremonial—honoring service without changing benefits or programs—and using congressional time for such recognition can divert legislative attention from substantive policy issues.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, directs the Mint to strike the medal and sell bronze duplicates, and gives the gold medal to the Smithsonian for display.
Official title: 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.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by Marc Veasey · Last progress July 22, 2025
Authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion for heroism during the D‑Day invasion and service in World War II, directs the U.S. Mint to produce the medal and allows the Mint to strike and sell bronze duplicates to cover production costs, and requires the Smithsonian Institution to receive the gold medal for public display and research.