Many of us recently commemorated the 77th anniversary of the June 6th Allied invasion at Normandy during World War Two – the beginning of the end of the Nazi conquest of Europe. But little is said about the few Black American soldiers who participated in that great endeavor. The American 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion was the only all-Black unit to land on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
This week, the last surviving member of that courageous and unique, all-Black unit, Henry Parham, died at age 99 in Pennsylvania. His loss marks the end of an era.
As PennLive reported:
Before 2009, the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, Henry Parham got little recognition for his role as a African-American soldier in a segregated Army during one of the most important — and bloodiest — battles of World War II.
When writers and historians figured out that the Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, man was likely the last surviving African American combat veteran of D-Day, as his wife, Ethel Parham, puts it, “All hell broke loose.”
“We were just plain, simple people; we weren’t looking for awards and all that stuff. Then all of a sudden, people got interested when they heard his story,” said Mrs. Parham, his very sprightly wife of 47 years. “Every Tom, Dick and Harry called here and wanted an interview, interview, interview. Before that, nobody really bothered. But after the 65th anniversary, people’s eyes were really opened.”
Parham and all his fellow Black soldiers in that unit deserve the recognition. They were American heroes.
PennLive continues:
He was drafted into a segregated U.S. Army at 21 and trained at Camp Tyson, Tenn., with the 320th, before shipping out to England in 1943 for additional training in anticipation of the Allied invasion of Northern France.
D-Day was his first combat experience.
Mr. Parham’s unit landed at Omaha Beach — by far the deadliest landing spot on D-Day among the five beaches used for the invasion — at 2 p.m., as part of the third wave.
His unit was spared the massive casualties that was encountered by the first wave of infantry, Mr. Parham said in an August 2012 interview.
During his talk, Parham shared vivid memories of wading ashore with his brothers in arms, as landmines and other obstacles planted by the Germans forced the soldiers out of their boats and into the surf.
“We landed in water up to our necks,” Mr. Parham said, recalling a shorter man in his unit who had to be carried onto the beach because the water was over his head, and he couldn’t swim. “Once we got there, we were walking over dead Germans and Americans on the beach, it was so heavily mined. While we were walking from the boat to the beach, bullets were falling all around us.”
PennLive reports that:
His unit dug foxholes on the beach during the day and used the cover of darkness to launch helium-filled barrage balloons over the combat area, forcing German bombers to fly at higher, less effective altitudes.
From the balloons hung steel cables, fitted with small packs of explosive charges, which could — and did, even on that first night of June 6 — destroy the wings and propellers of aircraft that became ensnared in the cables.
The 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion spent the next 68 days on Omaha Beach, where they deployed improvised winches to raise and lower the balloon defense system, preventing German strafing attacks on the beach so that critical reinforcements and supplies made it through to the front lines.
After Normandy, Parham’s unit moved on to Sherburne, France, where it provided defense for Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army.
As to Normandy, Parham said, “I was fortunate that I didn’t get hit. There was no place to hide.”
In 2013 the French government bestowed on him the Legion of Honor, elevating him to a “Chevalier.” This is the highest military distinction in France, the Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
Henry Parham and all his Black American brothers who served at Normandy deserve our nation’s gratitude and respect. RIP brother.
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Thanks to all for their service and sacrifice!
These were very brave soldiers. My uncle was aboard one of the planes that dropped troops into battle during D Day. He died shortly after I was born (1953) and he left us his dress uniform in his will. There was plenty of fruit salad.
We’ve all heard about the Red Tails and Tuskegee Airmen. We need to hear such stories of valor by black Americans in all branches of the service.
Our Two Star USAF Depot Commander was a Tuskegee Airman. A nicer guy you would never meet. We also had the honor of hosting Chappie James at our Phoenix Military Training Base. His son was one of our T-38 Instructor pilots.
Here was a Life that “Truly Mattered” and his Character overcame his skin color to make him a “Real Hero” that put all personal doubts, feelings, dreams, and ideas to fight for his country and his right to exist,survive, and live Free! Rest in Peace Henry Parham!
He’s a credit to his race
World War II brought out the best in American Military personnel. White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, they were all brave and dedicated soldiers who came together to fight for our nation. Let’s honor their service by keeping America free, sovereign and secure from tyranny.
People like him (and them) are truly worthy of being role models. Too bad the youth of today idolize wanna be thugs
The prevailing theory on that topic you’ve described entails single mothers who drop their kids off at daycare centers, or baby sitters. Those kids won’t learn discipline, nor will they be counseled to stay out of gangs, avoid criminal activity or eschew drug use. Young men these days are susceptible to gang membership because they need leadership and guidance, along with a fulfillment of their male function to compete and garner recognition. I was in a gang, and we were regularly involved in criminal activities to prove our mettle. When I joined the scouting program, I realized there were other means to advance among the ranks.
Thank you for this wonderful story about this brave American. As the son of a member of Third Army who came ashore while Mr Parham’s unit was protecting the beachhead on D-day plus 21. The 94 division went on to help in taking St Loe, Joined 3rd Army as they took Paris and speed across France 🇫🇷to the Rhine River. Then made a hard left turn as the 3rd Army rescued the 101st Bastards of Bastone. Then after Monte failed to find a bridge over the Rhine, Patton did. They could have taken Berlin too. But it had been decided higher up that was for the Russian’s trophy. As a result eastern Europe traded Hitler for Stalin and another 40 odd years under of oppression.
Thank you Mr. Parham for your service. I’m grateful you were there. I wish you had to wait so long to be recognized for your service. You and your fellow soldiers played a vital role and truly were a part of America’s Greatest Generation who strove through blood and sweat to make the “Whole Wide World Safe At Last. “
Probably a lie.
Thanks and this was very interesting and informative. Thankyou so much for everything Mr Henery Parham. Would have loved to meet you and talk,
LISTEN UP…NOT ALL BLACK AMERICANS are BLACK SUPREMISTS. THERE are GOOD APPLES and BAD ONES. GOD is STILL SEPARATING the GOOD ONES from the BAD ONES. IT is in HIS DIVINE PLAN. From SamuraiQueen. 😄😄😄
it is very sad that statues paid for by the American people are being taken down which have been a part of history for centuries by Mayors who have no respect for our country or history simply because people of color can not act or conduct themselves civilly , they will always be remembered as uncivil people , with all the destruction & damages caused by black lives matter , so many African American people who are very nice, 7 these people make them look bad.
God bless this man. He deserves a huge vote of thanks for his services.
When my dad was alive years ago, he told me about a Black platoon that saved their lives when him and what was left of their group of soldiers where surrounded by Germans. He said the only ones who would come and save them where the Black soldiers. I want to say thank you for saving my dad. My dad was so very thankful to those brave men that saved him and his buddies that day. He said he was wounded and a guy picked him up ,he said he put his arm around his neck to hang on and away they went. Thank God for people who can love each other and care about each other.