Paris, Tenn.–The 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion was the only all-African-American military unit to storm the beaches at Normandy on D-Day. And they were trained at Camp Tyson a few miles outside of Paris.
Their story had never been told until the book, “As If They Were Ours: The Story of Camp Tyson, America’s Only Barrage Balloon Training Facility” was published in 2016.
Author Shannon McFarlin of Paris interviewed members of the 320th for her book–as well as the follow-up pictorial history, “Images Of America: Camp Tyson”.
She will tell the story of the 320th Battalion at the March 6 ‘Lunch & Learn’ at the Paris-Henry County Heritage Center at noon Friday, March 6. A special lunch will be served but seating is limited, so reserve your seat by calling 731 642 1030 and leave a message with how many and name; or email director @phchc.com (they will confirm).
The books are always on sale at the Heritage Center and will be available at the luncheon.
No admission is charged, but donations are accepted.
The address of the Heritage Center is 614 North Poplar Street in downtown Paris.
Photo: Camp Tyson soldiers used to visit Barr’s Chapel Church outside of Paris for Sunday gatherings during WWII. (Dorothy Cook photo/Author’s collection).