‘Ghost Army’ members to be awarded Congressional Gold Medal

Members of the “Ghost Army” will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal more than 75 years after they served during World War II.

President Biden signed the bipartisan, bicameral “Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act” into law on Tuesday, with the White House saying in a statement the honor would be given “in recognition of their [Ghost Army’s] unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.”

The name Ghost Army is used to describe the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company. The members used inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery and other combat deception strategies to trick the Nazis and move enemy forces away from American Units, according to a statement from Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), who sponsored the bill.

Sens. Edward Market (D-Mass.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) led the effort in the Senate.

Kuster’s office said the Ghost Army’s strategies saved up to an estimated 30,000 Allied lives. There are nine surviving Ghost Army veterans, CNN reported, citing the Ghost Army Legacy Project.

“I’m thrilled President Biden signed our bipartisan legislation into law today to award the brave members of the Ghost Army the long-overdue recognition they deserve,” Kuster said in a statement.

“Through their courageous, creative, and innovative tactics, the top-secret Ghost Army outmaneuvered and deceived the Nazis, saving thousands of Allied lives during World War II. More than 75 years after defeating fascism in Europe, it’s time these soldiers receive the highest honor we can award: the Congressional Gold Medal,” she added.

Markey sounded a similar note, writing in a statement that “The Ghost Army is no longer unseen in the shadows.” He called the bill signing “a monumental step in bestowing a great honor to the ‘Ghost Army’ veterans, bringing their contributions and immense skills out of the darkness, and celebrating these heroes who made it possible for countless American soldiers to return home safely after World War II.”

Collins said the “courage and resourcefulness” of the Ghost Army “were pivotal in the European theater and likely saved many American lives.”