Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of veterans who have gone unrecognized for far too long.

In World War II, top secret units known as the Ghost Army used combat deception to literally fool the Nazis. Their mission to was to divert enemy forces away from American combat units so that our troops faced less resistance. This required creativity and a special kind of courage.

Whereas a typical American unit had tanks made of steel, the Ghost Army, as you have heard from my colleagues, Mr. Barr and Ms. Dean, built tanks made of rubber and wood. Using inflatable equipment and sonic deception, the Ghost Army made it appear as if there were tens of thousands of combat troops when there were literally none.

If the Germans ever discovered this ruse, the Ghost Army would have been annihilated. Throughout the war, the Ghost Army took this risk and, using their creativity and artistic talents, played a decisive role in Allied combat operations.

As Mr. Barr noted, in evaluating the performance of these units after World War II, an Army analysis found rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such few men who had such great influence on the outcome of a major military campaign. I might note that was the campaign that turned the tide of World War II.

To this day, combat deception units in the Army learn about the tactics that were used by the Ghost Army so many years ago. In this sense, the brave actions of the Ghost Army still are keeping Americans safe to this day.

The Ghost Army's combat deceptions were so effective that the Army kept them classified for over 40 years after the war. Because of this classification, the great men of the Ghost Army were never properly recognized for their heroism and contributions to defeating fascism in Europe.

Mr. Speaker, as noted, the House passed the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act that I introduced last spring. The Senate is now asking passage of the companion bill, S. 1404, introduced by Mr. Markey. This would right the wrong by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to those living members of the Ghost Army. We will recognize the families of those who have passed.

I am proud that 75 years after their service, the Ghost Army is finally getting some of the recognition it earned.

I also want to take a moment to recognize the contributions of so many individuals in getting this bill over the finish line.

First, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Stewart, and his staff for dedicating themselves to this bill.

I also want to recognize a good friend of mine, Rick Beyer, and Roy Eichhorn. These two historians helped rediscover the Ghost Army's story and share it with the world.

Finally, I want to recognize all of the members of the Ghost Army Legacy Project. This coalition, made up largely of family members of Ghost Army veterans, worked tirelessly to help Representative Stewart and myself secure the 292 House cosponsors necessary to pass this bill.

It is a testament to this institution that a handful of passionate citizens, without the help of any special interest groups or lobbyists, can build the support necessary to send this legislation to President Biden's desk. So it is fitting that we pass this bill today.

Of the more than 16 million Americans who served in World War II, barely more than 240,000 are still alive, including just nine members of the Ghost Army. We should never forget the contributions of the Ghost Army and all the servicemembers in World War II to preserve democracy around the world.

This is personal for me because my father, Malcolm McLane, was a fighter pilot and a POW during World War II. While today we rightfully single out the brave actions of the Ghost Army, I hope we also take a moment to remember all of our World War II veterans.

In closing, I want to note what made the Ghost Army special was not just their extraordinary courage but their creativity. Their story reminds us that listening to unconventional ideas, like using visual and sound deception, can help us solve existential challenges like defeating tyranny.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1404) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23d Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, popularly known as the ``Ghost Army'', in recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1404, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, Senator Markey, and the gentlewoman from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Kuster, for their work on this bill which honors the resourcefulness, imagination, and artistry of the men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Company in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.

This 1,100-man unit, known collectively as the Ghost Army, was made up of individuals recruited from creative fields, including art schools, theater and communications companies, and advertising agencies. Their mission was to draw upon their creative and artistic talents to lure the German Army away from the Allied combat units through a series of tactical deception operations meant to confuse, deceive, and mislead.

Following the D-Day landing in France, the Ghost Army undertook a traveling road show utilizing fake radio transmissions, inflatable tanks, and theatrical sound and atmospheric effects to misdirect German units away from actual Allied unit locations and toward larger imaginary ones.

The artists, architects, and engineers of the Ghost Army were so effective that a later Army analysis of their performance found that ``rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such few men which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.''

Yet, despite the overwhelming success of the citizen soldiers of the Ghost Army, their contributions remained classified for over 40 years, and their bravery and ingenuity was never formally recognized.

This bill honors their unique contributions to the war effort by directing the Mint to strike a gold medal in honor of the Ghost Army. The gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for display and serve as recognition of the incredible service of the men of the Ghost Army during World War II.

I thank Mr. Markey and Ms. Kuster for their work on this bill, and I urge Members to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

On a personal note, I would like to recognize First Lieutenant Bernard Mason, mentioned in the text of this bill, for his leadership in leading the 16-man detachment of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops during the invasion of Normandy. Lieutenant Mason was a constituent of mine before his passing, and his wife and children still live in my district. I want to thank them for Lieutenant Mason's life and service. Today we are finally honoring his service and those of his brothers-in-arms in perpetuity.

The stories of the creativity and innovation displayed by the members of the Ghost Army during World War II read like something straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster script. The only thing missing is a Hollywood ending where the brave members of the Ghost Army are finally recognized for their lifesaving contributions to defeating the Axis Powers during World War II. This bill ensures official recognition for this heroic group of citizen soldiers and their unique contributions to the war effort.

I thank Mr. Markey and Ms. Kuster, the lead sponsor of the House version of this bill, for ensuring that the stories of these men of the Ghost Army receive the recognition they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 707, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act.

I thank my friend from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Kuster, for proposing it. I appreciate my good friend from Utah, Mr. Stewart, for cosponsoring and helping bring this to the floor today on a bipartisan basis.

Sun Tzu, in ``The Art of War,'' stated: ``All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.''

That was the philosophy that led to the formation of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, known as the Ghost Army.

H.R. 707 will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army's 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company to honor their bravery displayed during World War II.

The Ghost Army, unlike many other units, was comprised, as my friend from Missouri said, of civilian soldiers who had a proclivity for art, architecture, acting, set design, and engineering. During World War II, the 23d Headquarters Special Troops successfully tricked German forces into believing that 1,000 soldiers were a massive force of over 30,000, and they were able to put on 22 large-scale deceptions in Europe during World War II.

Madam Speaker, now, this is an example where both sides of the aisle can agree that fake news can be good.

They did this by using inflatable tanks, aircraft, and speakers broadcasting the sounds of men and military that were not there. The unit was able to pull German attention on these areas and away from the Allied force operations. This army, these men and women, are credited for saving thousands of lives.

Madam Speaker, one of those might have been my father-in-law, who was in Patton's 8th Army as an engineering officer, trudging across from D- day to Germany. So we are all grateful, all of the descendants of those who served on the beaches and on the continent of Europe at the end of the war.

Madam Speaker, I am a history buff as well, and anybody who has watched The History Channel's World War II documentary has undoubtedly seen the Ghost Army in action. The historic videos and Herculean photo of four men holding a tank over their heads is testimony to the Ghost Army's ingenuity and bravery in the World War.

Madam Speaker, the Ghost Army of World War II deserves to be commended in this way, and I thank my friends from New Hampshire and Utah for their work.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), the cosponsor of this important legislation to recognize the Ghost Army.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah for his important closing words to support this important bill, H.R. 707.

What better tribute to those families of the 1,000 who served in the Ghost Army, and those 11 who we still celebrate as being alive with us today than the recognition they deserve, because those 1,000 saved the lives of thousands more in the Allied force as we completed our task of ridding Europe of fascism.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends from Utah and New Hampshire for their leadership on this bill. I thank Chairman Cleaver today for guiding our debate, and I encourage everyone in the House to support H.R. 707.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 707) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, in recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service as a ``Ghost Army'' that conducted deception operations in Europe during World War II, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 707, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act.

I thank the gentlewoman from New Hampshire for her work on this bill which honors the creativity and ingenuity of the men of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.

The Ghost Army was a 1,100-man unit comprised mostly of individuals recruited from art schools. They were from advertising agencies, communications companies, and other creative fields. They were tasked with using their creative talents to mislead, deceive, and confuse the German Army and lure them away from Allied combat units.

Following the D-day landing in France, the Ghost Army undertook a ``traveling road show'' utilizing fake radio transmissions, inflatable tanks, and theatrical sounds and atmospheric effects to conduct elaborate ruses to deflect German units away from the actual Allied unit location and towards imaginary ones.

The artists, architects, engineers of the Ghost Army were so effective that a later Army analysis of the performance found that, ``Rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such a few men which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.''

The bravery, ingenuity, and patriotic actions displayed by these citizen-soldiers remained highly classified for more than 40 years after World War II and were never formally recognized.

This bill honors their unique contributions to the war effort by directing the Mint to strike a gold medal in honor of the Ghost Army. The gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for display and serve as recognition of this incredible service of the Ghost Army during World War II.

Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Kuster for her work on this bill, and I urge Members to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), the sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is one of the most amazing things that I have had the opportunity to support since I have been in Congress. And this bill is simply amazing. It ensures official recognition of creativity and innovation displayed by members of the Ghost Army in saving lives, contributing to the defeat of the axis powers during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Kuster for her work in ensuring recognition of this brave and talented group of citizen-soldiers and their unique contributions to the war effort.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, when I say ``war hero,'' what image comes to mind?

Some might imagine a brave soldier charging an enemy position, who reminds us of what it means to be courageous. Others might think of a medic dodging enemy fire to provide care for their wounded brother-in- arms, who reminds us of what it means to be selfless. And, still, others might think of a prisoner of war, like my father, a pilot in World War II, who was shot down on D-day and whose stoic survival through inhumane conditions reminds us of what it means to be resilient.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of another type of war hero: Those who go to war armed only with illusion and creativity.

In World War II, two top-secret units, known as the Ghost Army, used combat deception to fool the Nazis. They risked their lives to draw forces away from American combat units so that they would face less resistance. This required a special kind of courage. Whereas a typical American unit had tanks made of steel, the Ghost Army was equipped with tanks made of rubber.

Using inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery, and impersonation, the Ghost Army made it appear there were tens of thousands of combat troops where there really were none. In operations throughout the war, their actions were decisive.

In September of 1944, they filled a 25-mile gap in Patton's line that had opened up after he charged across France. In March of 1945, they impersonated two full divisions to draw enemy attention away from the Ninth Army's crossing of the Rhine River. Their combat deceptions worked brilliantly.

According to a U.S. Army analysis after the war, the Ghost Army deception saved up to an estimated 30,000 Allied lives. Their tactics were so effective that the Army kept them secret for more than 50 years after the war. And because of this classification, the men of the Ghost Army were never recognized for their heroism and contributions to defeating fascism in Europe.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 707, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act, would right this wrong by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Ghost Army.

I am proud that 75 years after their service, with the help of my colleague from Utah, Mr. Stewart, the Ghost Army will finally get some recognition that it so deserves. I thank my colleague for his help.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to support this bill.