A little know side of the Army's LTA (Barrage Balloon) support, 81 years ago on D-Day.
Arriving on Utah and Omaha beaches alongside the infantry in 150 landing craft, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion became the only black combat unit to see action on D-Day. Braving enemy fire, they flew and maintained their flammable balloons (hydrogen inflated) at an altitude of roughly 200 feet, tethered to cables with the aim of creating a hazardous thicket to discourage the
Luftwaffe from strafing the beaches. Their conduct that day earned them a commendation from Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who cited the 320th for conducting “
its mission with courage and determination” and proving itself “
an important element of the air defense team“.