Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02), alongside Speaker Mike Johnson and colleagues in the House and Senate, will present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Ghost Army during a ceremony held at Emancipation Hall.

“The Ghost Army’s bravery and creativity saved countless lives during World War II. I’m proud to have worked on legislation with my former boss, former congressman Chris Stewart, to recognize them with the highest honor Congress can bestow. And I’m honored to be able to present them with this long overdue award,” said Rep. Maloy.

“I want to thank Representative Maloy, who has been steadfast in her support of the Ghost Army Gold Medal effort. Five Utah veterans served in the unit, including Stanley Nance, who appeared in the documentary - and I am sure their families are deeply grateful for her unstinting efforts,” said Rick Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project.

The ceremony will take place today, March 21, at 11:00 AM ET inside Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

On February 6, 2024, the House passed a resolution sponsored by Reps. Maloy and Annie Kuster (D-NH) authorizing the award ceremony to take place inside Emancipation Hall, ensuring that Congress recognized the heroic service of these World War II veterans and the many that died before receiving proper recognition.

Background:

The Ghost Army was a top-secret unit during World War II employed to fool Nazi Germany and its Axis of Evil as to the strength and location of American troops. They staged over 20 operations using deceptive tactics like inflatable tanks, impersonations, fake radio transmissions, and other sound effects. They even created false headquarters staffed by fake generals. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops is credited with saving an estimated 30,000 American lives. However, they were not made known to the public until 1996 when their missions were declassified.

Five veterans from Utah served in the unit including Stanley Nance who passed away in 2021 at the age of 103. Staff Sargeant Nance led a squad of radio deceivers during World War II and sent 28 deceptive radio messages as part of an operation to assist General Patton’s relief of Bastogne.

There are seven surviving members of the Ghost Army including:

• James “Tom” Anderson, Dover, DE
• Bernard Bluestein, Hoffman Estates, IL
• John Christman, Leesburg, NJ
• George Dramis, Raleigh, NC
• William Nall, Dunnellon, FL
• Seymour Nussenbaum, Monroe Township, NJ
• John Smith, Woodland, MI

In 2022, Congress passed legislation sponsored by former Congressman Chris Stewart to honor the top-secret unit with the Congressional Gold Medal.