The Ghost Army, a group of American military units that used inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms, and acting to deceive the enemy during World War II, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington. Their innovative techniques, which contributed to the liberation of a continent, are still used on the battlefield today. The group's mission was kept secret for decades, and the award comes after almost a decade of work by family members of the soldiers and filmmaker Rick Beyer. The Ghost Army's work is estimated to have saved between 15,000 to 30,000 lives, and the ceremony was attended by three of the seven known surviving members.
Bernie Bluestein, one of only seven surviving members of the secret World War II "Ghost Army," was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. The unit, which carried out psychological operations against the Axis powers, played a crucial role in deceiving the Germans and saving the lives of about 30,000 soldiers by creating fake military units and equipment to divert enemy attention. Bluestein, now 100 years old, shared his experiences as a private first class in the 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion, highlighting the impact of their strategic deceptions during the war.
The American military units known as the Ghost Army, who used inflatable tanks, trucks, and planes along with sound effects and acting to deceive the enemy during World War II, are being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. Three surviving members, including 100-year-old Seymour Nussenbaum, are set to attend the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The Ghost Army's missions likely saved thousands of American lives and their story was brought to light by filmmaker Rick Beyer after their mission was declassified in 1996.
The Ghost Army, a secretive American military unit from World War II known for using inflatable tanks, trucks, and planes, as well as sound effects and radio trickery to outwit the enemy, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest honor, in recognition of their remarkable contributions. The legislation to honor the Ghost Army with the medal was signed into law by President Biden in 2022, and three of the seven known surviving members are set to attend the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The unit's mission was declassified in 1996, and their battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, and Italy likely saved thousands of American lives.
