Streamed live on February 10, 2025
World War II Leroy Brinkley passed away on February 3, 2025, as the last surviving Black soldier to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Brinkley was a member of the all-Black 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, which carried out a vital defensive mission—deploying barrage balloons to protect Allied forces from low-flying German aircraft. Their contribution was critical to the success of the Normandy invasion, though their achievements have long been overshadowed in historical accounts of the war.
We at the Veteran Breakfast Club had mistakenly believed that our member, Henry Parham, was the last surviving member of the 320th Battalion until Lorri Brinkley Nelson and Julian Brinkley contacted us with information about their grandfather. Lorri and Julian gives us background on their grandfather and share some of his life story.
The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion was activated in 1942 as part of the broader U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps. Barrage balloons were large, hydrogen-filled blimps tethered by steel cables, designed to hinder enemy aircraft by forcing them to fly at higher altitudes, making them more vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. These balloons were a defensive measure that had been used since World War I, but during World War II, they were particularly valuable in shielding beachheads, harbors, and key military installations from enemy strafing and bombing attacks.
African American soldiers serving in segregated units often faced systemic racism, both within the military and from the broader society they were sworn to protect. The 320th, like other Black units, trained under challenging conditions but proved themselves highly skilled and professional. Their specialized role required extensive technical knowledge, including handling volatile hydrogen gas, maneuvering large balloons in combat zones, and maintaining equipment under difficult conditions.
On the morning of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion was among the thousands of Allied troops storming the beaches of Normandy. The men of the battalion landed at Omaha Beach, one of the most fiercely defended sections of the coast. They faced not only the chaos of battle but also the logistical nightmare of setting up barrage balloons under heavy German machine-gun and artillery fire.
Despite these obstacles, the men of the 320th successfully deployed their balloons, which provided immediate protection for landing troops and equipment. The balloons made it difficult for the Luftwaffe to attack ground forces, helping to mitigate casualties from aerial assaults. Sergeant Waverly Woodson Jr., one of the battalion’s medics, performed extraordinary acts of heroism that day, treating wounded soldiers while himself suffering from shrapnel wounds. His actions were so exceptional that many historians argue he should have received the Medal of Honor, though due to racial discrimination, he was instead awarded the Bronze Star.
The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion remained in action following D-Day, moving through France as Allied forces advanced toward Germany. Their work ensured that bridges, supply depots, and key logistical centers were protected from enemy air attacks. By the end of the war, the battalion had earned recognition for its dedication and effectiveness, yet like many other Black units, their contributions were largely overlooked in the immediate postwar years.
It was only in later decades that historians and military researchers began shedding light on the battalion’s role in D-Day. In 2019, 75 years after the invasion, surviving members of the 320th were honored for their service. Their story stands as a testament to the bravery and skill of African American soldiers who fought not only against a foreign enemy but also against the racial injustices of their own country.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Lifefor sponsoring this event!
