Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. KUSTER. 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.

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