The extraordinary efforts of a once-secret unit from World War II, known as the Ghost Army, will be recognized with the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal. Using an array of deceptive techniques including dummy tanks, noise machines, and fake radio transmissions, they played a vital role in misleading enemy forces.
During a special ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, three of the seven last living members plan to be present. They include Seymour Nussenbaum, age 100, from Monroe Township, New Jersey, Bernard Bluestein, age 100, from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and John Christman, age 99, from Leesburg, New Jersey.
“It was like putting on a big production,” commented Seymour Nussenbaum. As an artist turned soldier, he and his unit were tasked with creating convincing illusions to protect actual troops.
Nussenbaum was a New York City native and art student at the Pratt Institute before being conscripted. He eventually became part of the specialized camouflage unit within the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops.
“Our mission was to fool the enemy, to put on a big act,” Nussenbaum explained, reflecting on a career that led him from wartime deception to commercial art.
After years of advocacy work by relatives and supporters, including Rick Beyer, a documentary filmmaker and writer who has strived to ensure the Ghost Army’s legacy remains intact following the declassification of its missions in 1996, President Joe Biden signed legislation authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal for the unit in 2022. Beyer, head of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, has produced a documentary and co-authored a book detailing their exploits.
“I just want to make sure it’s not forgotten,” said Beyer. He accounted for the Ghost Army’s approximately 1,100 soldiers from the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and 200 soldiers of the 3133rd Signal Company Special, who were involved in numerous successful deceptions in Europe.
Their work, according to Beyer, undoubtedly saved lives. For example, Operation Viersen in March 1945 fooled German forces, diverting them from a critical river crossing by the 9th Army.
Beyer detailed how the unit held a portion of the line during an offensive in the city of Metz in September 1944, convincing the enemy for over a week.
Among those attending the ceremony is Kim Seale from Dallas, whose father Oscar Seale was a captain in the Ghost Army. For Seale, the revelation of his father’s involvement, which came only after his dad had passed, has been a long and astonishing journey of discovery.
FAQs about the Ghost Army
- What was the Ghost Army?
The Ghost Army was a secret unit of the U.S. Army during World War II that used deceptive tactics, such as inflatable equipment and fake radio transmissions, to mislead enemy forces. - When was the Ghost Army’s mission declassified?
Their mission was declassified in 1996, allowing for the full story of their wartime activities to be shared with the public. - What did President Joe Biden do for the Ghost Army?
President Joe Biden signed into law the legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Ghost Army in 2022, recognizing their significant contributions to the war effort. - How did the Ghost Army save lives?
By creating the illusion of larger forces or diverting enemy attention from real operations, the Ghost Army’s deceptions are believed to have saved thousands of American lives.
Conclusion
The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony represents a significant moment of recognition for the Ghost Army’s clandestine and ingenious efforts during World War II. Their ability to combine art, performance, and technology in service of their country is a testament to their creativity and bravery. As some of the last surviving members of this exceptional unit prepare to receive their honors, we are reminded of the multifaceted nature of warfare and the indispensable role that deception played in securing Allied victories. This long-overdue commendation ensures that the Ghost Army’s legacy of ingenuity and valor is enshrined in history.