Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined congressional leadership, military leaders, U.S. Veterans, and their families to host an award ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to honor the WWII Ghost Army with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Ghost Army, comprised of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company, was a top-secret U.S. unit tasked with fooling the Nazis and drawing enemy forces away from American troops during WWII. Using inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery, and other combat deceptions, these two top-secret units saved an estimated 30,000 Allied lives. These tactics were so effective the Army kept them secret for 50 years after the war, meaning that many of the men of the Ghost Army were never recognized for their heroism.

Congresswoman Kuster led bipartisan, bicameral legislation to change that. Her bill, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act, was signed into law in 2022 to award these American heroes the long-overdue recognition they deserve.

“During World War II, as the Nazis marched through Europe, the men of the top-secret Ghost Army were given an assignment: deceive the Germans and create an opportunity for the Allied Forces to turn the tide of the war,” said Kuster. “This required creativity and a special kind of courage. Using inflatable equipment and sonic deceptions, the Ghost Army made it appear as if there were thousands of combat troops when there were really none. The Ghost Army saved tens of thousands of Allied lives thanks to their ingenuity and boldness. These men are heroes, and although it’s long overdue, their service is finally being recognized. 

Kuster continued, “I cannot help but think of my father today, Malcolm McLane, a World War II fighter pilot. He flew 73 missions over Europe and was held captive in a POW camp at the same time and in the same theater where the Ghost Army was operating. I can’t help but imagine him looking down from the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt and not realizing that below him were GIs holding off the Nazis with inflatable tanks! Today, we finally get to award the brave Ghost Army Veterans and their loved ones the recognition they deserve. Our nation will be forever grateful.”

Joining Kuster in D.C. for the ceremony was New Hampshire’s own McKane family from Keene, whose father, Irving “Mickey” McKane, was a member of the Ghost Army. Mickey, a former student at the Pratt Institute in New York City, joined the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion, a subset of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Bringing his experience and expertise in stage and costume design to the Ghost Army, Mickey was one of the brave and creative soldiers that helped deceive the Nazis and win the war.