The Ghost Army is credited with saving thousands of American lives and helping end WWII in Europe. But its contributions were kept secret for half a century before it was awarded Congress' top honor.
Ghost Army members John Christman, of Leesburg, N.J., second from left standing, Seymour Nussenbaum, of Monroe Township, N.J, in wheelchair at left, and Bernard Bluestein, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., in wheelchair at right, join military and congressional officials as members of their secretive WWII-era unit are presented with the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday.
The Ghost Army was made up of more than 1,000 troops — though could simulate two units totaling some 30,000 service members, according to theThis photo provided by the Ghost Army Legacy Project shows inflatable tanks in March, 1945. Subsequent speakers lauded the veterans and celebrated the overdue recognition of the group, which is credited with saving the lives of between 15,000 and 30,000 American soldiers.
The Army recruited art students and young professionals from ad agencies, communications companies and other creative professions. Many would go on to legendary careers, like fashion designer Bill Blass and painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly. "The natives would say to each other, 'Did you see the tanks moving through town last night?' And they were not lying," he said."They thought they were seeing them! Imagination is unbelievable."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell quoted one late veteran, saying"'sparing one mother or new bride the agony of putting a gold star in their front window' was what their unit was all about." While the Ghost Army helped liberate Europe and end the war, it wasn't publicly given credit for another half a century.
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