761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion to honor their key role in World War II and the example they set as the first Black soldiers to fight in an American armored unit. The bill notes their record in Europe, including long, intense combat, helping at the Battle of the Bulge, and later receiving a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary bravery.

After the award, the medal would go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research, with encouragement to share it at places tied to the 761st. The Treasury would make the medal. Bronze copies could be sold to cover costs, with the money going to the U.S. Mint’s fund. The medals would be treated as national medals and as collector items.

• Who is affected: the 761st Tank Battalion (collectively), the National Museum of African American History and Culture, museum visitors, and people who may buy bronze duplicates.
• What changes: Congress formally honors the 761st with a gold medal; the medal is displayed at the museum; bronze duplicates may be sold to cover costs.
• When: after the medal is awarded and transferred to the museum, as described in the bill.