FILE - A member of the 603rd stands in front of an inflatable tank destroyer. (Rick Beyer)On Feb.
2, President Joe Biden signed into law the "Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act," which awards the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the "‘Ghost Army,’ in recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II," according to a White House statement. "What an honor," 98-year-old Ghost Army veteran Bernie Bluestein, told the Ghost Army Legacy Project. "I never in my lifetime expected anything like this, it completely blasts me.
I’m just sorry that there are not more of my fellow soldiers still alive that can be enjoying this as much as I do." The Ghost Army refers to two units that used inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery, and other deceptions to draw enemy forces away from American units, saving an estimated 30,000 lives.
Because of their secret classification, members were not recognized for their heroism. The elite group, known officially as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, risked their lives to draw fire away from fellow soldiers involved in the actual fighting, the Washington Times reported.