These veterans used deception tactics as they played a critical role in defeating Nazi Germany.

By Gitanjali Poonia

The Ghost Army is credited with saving the lives of tens of thousands of American soldiers and shortening World War II against Nazi Germany by at least six months — without ever firing a shot.

After keeping their missions a secret for decades, and fighting to be acknowledged, Ghost Army veterans received the Congressional Gold Medal before a crowd of hundreds on Thursday.

And it’s thanks — in part — to one young Utah woman’s efforts that these soldiers are now being recognized.

The “Ghost Army” was a top secret platoon of 1,100 soldiers consisting of painters, actors and sound technicians, who impersonated other U.S. Army units to deceive the Germans. These Army soldiers carried out 21 deception missions using inflatable tanks, sound trucks and fake radio transmissions. Often, the missions of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops were akin to giant theater productions, taking place dangerously close to the frontlines.

The soldiers were in Normandy, during the Battle of the Bulge, and at the crossing of the Rhine River.

To throw German spies off the scent, troops would sew counterfeit patches onto their uniforms, paint false markings on their vehicles, and create fake headquarters staffed by actors posing as generals. Their missions were eventually declassified nearly five decades later, in 1996.

Former Utah Rep. Ben McAdams was the first to show an interest in honoring these veterans. Following McAdams’ exit from Congress, former Utah 2nd District Rep. Chris Stewart took the reins and proposed legislation to make it a reality. The Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act passed the House and earned President Joe Biden’s signature in 2022.

Rep. Celeste Maloy, a Republican who now represents Utah’s 2nd District, and Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., endorsed a resolution authorizing an award ceremony to recognize these heroes earlier in February.

“The Ghost Army’s bravery and creativity saved countless lives during World War II. I’m proud to have worked on legislation with my former boss, former congressman Chris Stewart, to recognize them with the highest honor Congress can bestow,” Maloy said.

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/03/23/wwii-ghost-army-veterans-receive-congressional-gold-medal/