320th BARRAGE BALLOON BATALION ON D-DAY

On June 6, 1944, soldiers from the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion were scattered in landing craft up and down Utah and Omaha Beaches. Among them was 22-year-old Thomas E. McKinley Jr.

McKinley was born on August 11, 1922, in Dallas, Texas. In 1942, soon after enlisting, he was attached to the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a segregated unit that saw action across the European Theater. They were the only all-black unit to come ashore on D-Day, the first barrage balloon battalion to land in France, and one of the few units to land at both American beaches (Omaha and Utah).

On D-Day, McKinley served as a Balloon Gas Handler and Balloon Crewman, two critical and dangerous jobs. Enduring intense enemy fire in the first wave of the assault, the 320th accomplished their mission, and their balloons were successfully landed and flown. By June 21, 141 balloons were protecting Omaha and Utah Beaches.

Because of the injustices of 1940s America, the bravery and sacrifice of men like Private First Class McKinley went unknown for many years, with the story of him and his unit essentially written out of history. Today, on the 78th anniversary of D-Day, we remember their story.

"Giving the Past a Future, One Story at a Time."
WWII Veterans History Project