Hello Friends,
I wanted to give you an update on what we did in Washington this week to honor some incredible American heroes.
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I was honored to join congressional leaders in thanking the Ghost Army for their service. |
During World War II, as the Nazis marched through Europe, a top-secret U.S. Army unit was given an assignment: Deceive the Germans and create an opportunity for the Allied Forces to turn the tide of the war. These brave American soldiers served in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company, but today, we know them as the Ghost Army. The Ghost Army troops were combat con artists – a creative and courageous group of actors, artists, costume designers, prop makers, and sound engineers who worked together to convince the Germans that there were thousands of American combat troops when there were really none. Using inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery, and other combat deceptions, the top-secret Ghost Army successfully fooled the Nazis and drew enemy forces away from American troops during WWII. Their efforts 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. This week, we finally changed that. |
We owe the men and women who serve our great nation in uniform – and their families – a debt of gratitude we can never repay. |
It was an honor to lead the legislation that made this possible. My Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act awarded the highest distinction Congress can give to members of the WWII Ghost Army more than 75 years after their service. This week's ceremony was the culmination of that legislation and the hard work of Ghost Army advocates to finally get these heroes the acknowledgment they deserve.
I had the pleasure of joining congressional and military leaders, U.S. Veterans, and their families at the award ceremony in the U.S. Capitol to formally award the World War II Ghost Army and surviving veterans their Congressional Gold Medal. These men are heroes, and although it’s long overdue, their service is finally being recognized.
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The brave men of the Ghost Army played a vital role in winning the war and saving American lives. |
Of the more than 1,000 service members in the Ghost Army, only seven are still alive today. It was an incredible honor to meet three of these surviving heroes, Bernie Bluestein, John Christman, and Seymour Nussenbaum.
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It’s an honor to fight for our service members and celebrate their contributions. |
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of my friend and fellow Dartmouth alumni, historian Rick Beyer, who was instrumental in ensuring Ghost Army troops were honored for their service and sacrifice. Rick helped re-discover the Ghost Army and share their story of creativity, resilience, and honor with the world. It was Rick’s idea to award the Ghost Army the Congressional Gold Medal, and I am so proud that we were able to make that dream a reality. |
It was wonderful to host the family of Ghost Army veteran Mickey McKane and celebrate his memory and service. |
I was thrilled to host the sons and family of New Hampshire’s own Ghost Army veteran, Mickey McKane of Keene, in Washington for the Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony and to celebrate their father’s memory and service. Mickey, a former student at the Pratt Institute in New York City, joined the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion in 1942, 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.
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My father, Malcolm McLane, would have been incredibly proud to see his comrades honored with this incredible distinction. |
As we honor the contributions of these service members, I cannot help but think of my father, 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!
You can read more about the Ghost Army and the unit’s incredible story here: |
I’ll keep working to ensure all Granite Staters have the resources and support they need to thrive and live up to their full potential. |
Also this week, I met with a group of incredible Granite Staters and TRIO alumni from the University of New Hampshire to discuss the impact of the TRIO program and ways Congress can expand educational opportunities. TRIO programs in New Hampshire help hundreds of low-income and first-generation college students matriculate and succeed in higher education institutions. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. You can learn more about the TRIO Program here. |
To stay updated on my work in Congress and around the Granite State and for important information and resources, like my page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend! Be bold, be brave, be kind. Sincerely, Annie
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