During World War II, there existed a highly classified operation known as the “Ghost Army.” Its primary objective was to deceive the enemy through various tactics. Interestingly, the details of this mission remained shrouded in secrecy for many years, as those involved kept their knowledge of it hidden until their deaths.
The once-secret Ghost Army, which played a crucial role in achieving key victories for American troops in Germany and Italy during World War II, has finally been recognized for its contributions. After nearly 80 years since the end of the war, the Ghost Army was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. This long-overdue recognition honors the bravery and ingenuity of the soldiers who were part of this covert unit.
During World War II, the Ghost Army, a group of 1,300 skilled U.S. soldiers, played a crucial role in outwitting the Third Reich through their clever tactics on the battlefield. Their mission was to safeguard their fellow Americans and contribute to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Utilizing inflatable tanks, camouflage, and innovative acoustic sound effects, the Ghost Army successfully misled German forces. Interestingly, the details of their actions remained classified for over 50 years until their declassification in 1996.
During the event on Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the remarkable contributions of the soldiers who participated in the mission. He emphasized that these soldiers, hailing from various backgrounds and professions, including technicians and artists, utilized their unique skills to deceive and divert the Nazis. Their courageous efforts were not in vain, as it is believed that their work saved an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 lives, although some of them made the ultimate sacrifice.
John Christman, Seymour Nussenbaum, and Bernie Bluestein, three surviving veterans from the “Ghost Army,” were present at the Capitol to actively take part in the ceremony.
Rick Beyer, an author who has devoted his career to sharing the story of the Ghost Army and fighting for its members to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, expresses his belief that many of the veterans who have unfortunately passed away during his research would be amazed by the recent recognition given to the unit’s members on Thursday. It is worth noting that four soldiers from the operation lost their lives in action.
According to Beyer, none of the soldiers who served in this unit claim to be heroes. In his conversations with many veterans of the Ghost Army, he found that they all believed the true heroes were the infantrymen and tankers who faced the terrifying frontline. However, Beyer also acknowledged that the Ghost Army’s mission of deception required a unique form of courage. It involved safeguarding the strength of the unit, even when they had none, and intentionally diverting enemy fire away from their comrades. This was undoubtedly a perilous task that required immense bravery and was not for the faint-hearted.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, acknowledged the unit’s contributions, stating that their efforts have had a lasting impact on post-war counterintelligence operations.
According to McConnell, their contribution went beyond winning a World War. He believes that these individuals, whether they realized it or not, were actually working on classified methods to maintain the hard-earned peace during the Cold War.
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth shares the sentiment that the Ghost Army, composed of skilled storytellers, exemplifies the basis of military deception. She highlights that the techniques employed by the Ghost Army can still be observed on the modern battlefield.
“Our modern techniques, although greatly evolved since 1944, are built upon the foundation laid by the Ghost Army. Their legacy continues to inspire and teach us valuable lessons,” she expressed. “Through our observations of the war in Ukraine, we have come to realize that even in today’s technologically advanced era, military deception can still wield a substantial influence on military operations.”
Johnson entertained the audience by reading from a now-declassified report that eloquently summarized the unit’s remarkable contributions. With a hint of humor, he added that obtaining a copy of this report would be highly recommended for anyone interested.
Johnson quoted the report, stating, “Rarely, if ever, has there been a group of men with such a significant impact on the outcome of a major military campaign. That’s truly remarkable.”
The Congressional Gold Medal stands as the ultimate recognition granted by Congress to both individuals and groups. Among the distinguished recipients of this prestigious award, the Ghost Army soldiers now join the ranks as the 185th honorees. Notably, George Washington became the very first recipient of this esteemed accolade in 1776.
