[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2452-H2454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1245
GHOST ARMY CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 707) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23d
Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, in
recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service as a
``Ghost Army'' that conducted deception operations in Europe during
World War II, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 707
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ghost Army Congressional
Gold Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The 23d Headquarters, Special Troops, comprised of the
23d Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops,
the 603d Engineer Camouflage Battalion, the 406th Combat
Engineer Company, the 3132d Signal Service Company and the
Signal Company, Special, 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and
the 3133d Signal Service Company were top-secret units of the
United States Army that served in Europe during World War II.
(2) The 23d Headquarters, Special Troops, was actively
engaged in battlefield operations from June of 1944 through
March of 1945. The 3133d Signal Service Company was engaged
in operations in Italy in 1945.
(3) The deceptive activities of these units were integral
to several Allied victories across Europe and reduced
American casualties.
(4) In evaluating the performance of these units after the
War, a U.S. Army analysis found that ``Rarely, if ever, has
there been a group of such a few men which had so great an
influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.''.
(5) Many Ghost Army soldiers were citizen-soldiers
recruited from art schools, advertising agencies,
communications companies, and other creative and technical
professions.
(6) The first four members of the 23d Headquarters, Special
Troops, landed on D-Day and two became casualties while
creating false beach landing sites.
(7) The 23d Headquarters, Special Troops, secret deception
operations commenced in France on June 14, 1944, when Task
Force Mason, a 17-man detachment of the 23d led by First
Lieutenant Bernard Mason, landed at Omaha Beach. Task Force
Mason conducted Operation ELEPHANT between 1 and 4 July,
1944, to draw enemy fire and protect the 980th Field
Artillery Battalion (VIII Corps) as part of the Normandy
Campaign.
(8) Operation ELEPHANT was a prelude to 21 full-scale
tactical deceptions completed by the 23d Headquarters,
Special Troops.
(9) Often operating on or near the front lines, the 23d
Headquarters, Special Troops, used inflatable tanks,
artillery, airplanes and other vehicles, advanced engineered
soundtracks, and skillfully crafted radio trickery to create
the illusion of sizable American forces where there were none
and to draw the enemy away from Allied troops.
(10) The 3132d and the 3133d Signal Service Companies,
activated in Pine Camp (now Fort Drum), New York, at the Army
Experimental Station in March 1944, were the only two active
duty ``sonic deception'' ground combat units in World War II.
(11) Soldiers of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops,
impersonated other, larger Army units by sewing counterfeit
patches onto their uniforms, painting false markings on their
vehicles, and creating phony headquarters staffed by fake
generals, all in an effort to feed false information to Axis
spies.
(12) During the Battle of the Bulge, the 23d Headquarters,
Special Troops, created counterfeit radio traffic to mask the
efforts of General George Patton's Third Army as it mobilized
to break through to the 101st Airborne and elements of 10th
Armored Division in the besieged Belgian town of Bastogne.
(13) In its final mission, Operation VIERSEN, in March
1945, the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops, conducted a
tactical deception that drew German units down the Rhine
River and away from the Ninth Army, allowing the Ninth Army
to cross the Rhine into Germany. On this mission, the 1,100
men of the Ghost Army, with the assistance of other units,
impersonated forty thousand men, or two complete divisions of
American forces, by using fabricated radio networks,
soundtracks of construction work and artillery fire, and more
than 600 inflatable vehicles. According to a military
intelligence officer of the 79th Infantry, ``There is no
doubt that Operation VIERSEN materially assisted in deceiving
the enemy with regard to the real dispositions and intentions
of this Army.''.
(14) Three soldiers of the 23d Headquarters, Special
Troops, gave their lives and dozens were injured in carrying
out their mission.
(15) In April 1945, the 3133d Signal Service Company
conducted Operation CRAFTSMAN in support of Operation SECOND
WIND, the successful allied effort to break through the
German defensive position to the north of Florence, Italy,
known as the Gothic Line. Along with an attached platoon of
British engineers, who were inflatable decoy specialists, the
3133d Signal Service Company used sonic deception to
misrepresent troop locations along this defensive line.
(16) The activities of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops
and the 3133d Signal Service Company remained highly
classified for more than forty years after the war and were
never formally recognized. The extraordinary accomplishments
of this unit are deserving of belated official recognition.
(17) The United States is eternally grateful to the
soldiers of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the
3133d Signal Service Company for their proficient use of
innovative tactics throughout World War II, which saved lives
and made significant contributions to the defeat of the Axis
powers.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf
of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to the
23d Headquarters, Special Troops, and the 3133d Signal
Service Company, known as the ``Ghost Army'', collectively,
in recognition of its unique and incredible service during
World War II.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury
(in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike
the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in
honor of the Ghost Army, the gold medal shall be given to the
Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for
display as appropriate and available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal
awarded pursuant to this Act available for display elsewhere,
particularly at appropriate locations associated with the
Ghost Army, and that preference should be given to locations
affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck under section 3, at a price sufficient
to cover the costs of the medal, including labor, materials,
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDAL.
The gold medal struck pursuant to this Act is a national
medal for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States
Code.
SEC. 6. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 707, the Ghost Army
Congressional Gold Medal Act.
I thank the gentlewoman from New Hampshire for her work on this bill
which honors the creativity and ingenuity of the men of the 23d
Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company in
conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II.
The Ghost Army was a 1,100-man unit comprised mostly of individuals
recruited from art schools. They were from advertising agencies,
communications companies, and other creative fields. They were tasked
with using their creative talents to mislead, deceive, and confuse the
German Army and lure them away from Allied combat units.
[[Page H2453]]
Following the D-day landing in France, the Ghost Army undertook a
``traveling road show'' utilizing fake radio transmissions, inflatable
tanks, and theatrical sounds and atmospheric effects to conduct
elaborate ruses to deflect German units away from the actual Allied
unit location and towards imaginary ones.
The artists, architects, engineers of the Ghost Army were so
effective that a later Army analysis of the performance found that,
``Rarely, if ever, has there been a group of such a few men which had
so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.''
The bravery, ingenuity, and patriotic actions displayed by these
citizen-soldiers remained highly classified for more than 40 years
after World War II and were never formally recognized.
This bill honors their unique contributions to the war effort by
directing the Mint to strike a gold medal in honor of the Ghost Army.
The gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it
will be available for display and serve as recognition of this
incredible service of the Ghost Army during World War II.
Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Kuster for her work on this bill, and I
urge Members to vote ``yes.''
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 707, the Ghost Army
Congressional Gold Medal Act.
I thank my friend from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Kuster, for
proposing it. I appreciate my good friend from Utah, Mr. Stewart, for
cosponsoring and helping bring this to the floor today on a bipartisan
basis.
Sun Tzu, in ``The Art of War,'' stated: ``All warfare is based on
deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when
using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must
make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him
believe we are near.''
That was the philosophy that led to the formation of the 23d
Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company,
known as the Ghost Army.
H.R. 707 will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army's 23d
Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company to
honor their bravery displayed during World War II.
The Ghost Army, unlike many other units, was comprised, as my friend
from Missouri said, of civilian soldiers who had a proclivity for art,
architecture, acting, set design, and engineering. During World War II,
the 23d Headquarters Special Troops successfully tricked German forces
into believing that 1,000 soldiers were a massive force of over 30,000,
and they were able to put on 22 large-scale deceptions in Europe during
World War II.
Madam Speaker, now, this is an example where both sides of the aisle
can agree that fake news can be good.
They did this by using inflatable tanks, aircraft, and speakers
broadcasting the sounds of men and military that were not there. The
unit was able to pull German attention on these areas and away from the
Allied force operations. This army, these men and women, are credited
for saving thousands of lives.
Madam Speaker, one of those might have been my father-in-law, who was
in Patton's 8th Army as an engineering officer, trudging across from D-
day to Germany. So we are all grateful, all of the descendants of those
who served on the beaches and on the continent of Europe at the end of
the war.
Madam Speaker, I am a history buff as well, and anybody who has
watched The History Channel's World War II documentary has undoubtedly
seen the Ghost Army in action. The historic videos and Herculean photo
of four men holding a tank over their heads is testimony to the Ghost
Army's ingenuity and bravery in the World War.
Madam Speaker, the Ghost Army of World War II deserves to be
commended in this way, and I thank my friends from New Hampshire and
Utah for their work.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), the sponsor of this legislation.
Ms. KUSTER. Madam Speaker, when I say ``war hero,'' what image comes
to mind?
Some might imagine a brave soldier charging an enemy position, who
reminds us of what it means to be courageous. Others might think of a
medic dodging enemy fire to provide care for their wounded brother-in-
arms, who reminds us of what it means to be selfless. And, still,
others might think of a prisoner of war, like my father, a pilot in
World War II, who was shot down on D-day and whose stoic survival
through inhumane conditions reminds us of what it means to be
resilient.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of another type of war hero:
Those who go to war armed only with illusion and creativity.
In World War II, two top-secret units, known as the Ghost Army, used
combat deception to fool the Nazis. They risked their lives to draw
forces away from American combat units so that they would face less
resistance. This required a special kind of courage. Whereas a typical
American unit had tanks made of steel, the Ghost Army was equipped with
tanks made of rubber.
Using inflatable equipment, sound effects, radio trickery, and
impersonation, the Ghost Army made it appear there were tens of
thousands of combat troops where there really were none. In operations
throughout the war, their actions were decisive.
In September of 1944, they filled a 25-mile gap in Patton's line that
had opened up after he charged across France. In March of 1945, they
impersonated two full divisions to draw enemy attention away from the
Ninth Army's crossing of the Rhine River. Their combat deceptions
worked brilliantly.
According to a U.S. Army analysis after the war, the Ghost Army
deception saved up to an estimated 30,000 Allied lives. Their tactics
were so effective that the Army kept them secret for more than 50 years
after the war. And because of this classification, the men of the Ghost
Army were never recognized for their heroism and contributions to
defeating fascism in Europe.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
Ms. KUSTER. Madam Speaker, H.R. 707, the Ghost Army Congressional
Gold Medal Act, would right this wrong by awarding the Congressional
Gold Medal to the Ghost Army.
I am proud that 75 years after their service, with the help of my
colleague from Utah, Mr. Stewart, the Ghost Army will finally get some
recognition that it so deserves. I thank my colleague for his help.
Madam Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to support this
bill.
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Stewart), the cosponsor of this important legislation to recognize
the Ghost Army.
Mr. STEWART. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Hill, and
my colleagues. I especially thank my cosponsor from New Hampshire for
her support and her words today.
Madam Speaker, much has been said, so I will be brief.
I obviously stand before you in support of awarding the Ghost Army
veterans the Congressional Gold Medal. For more than 40 years, this
World War II unit of more than 1,000 soldiers was nothing more than a
myth; a bit of a ghost, if you will. More than 20 years ago, their
heroic actions were still classified until, finally, we could learn the
things that they had done.
Today, I ask my colleagues again, both Democrat and Republican, to
join me in giving these men and women the recognition that they really
deserve.
During our Nation's darkest hour, the Ghost Army did not shy away
from the fight. They saved thousands of lives. They stood eye-to-eye
against the axis of evil. They defeated fascism in Europe. To do so,
many of them made the ultimate sacrifice.
For those heroes who returned home, no one knew of their courage and
sacrifice; neither did many of them know of the great success that the
Ghost Army had had. They kept their top-secret mission and the
operations they did even away from their friends and family.
[[Page H2454]]
But, still, they have not been yet recognized by the Army or by this
Congressional body. We have the opportunity to right that wrong.
Today, there are only 11 members of more than 1,000 of the original
Ghost Army who still remain alive. And to this day, they continue to
embody the ideals that Americans strive for: Duty, honor, sacrifice,
courage, service.
Let's pass this bill. Let's give the Ghost Army heroes the highest
honor that we can.
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah for his important closing
words to support this important bill, H.R. 707.
What better tribute to those families of the 1,000 who served in the
Ghost Army, and those 11 who we still celebrate as being alive with us
today than the recognition they deserve, because those 1,000 saved the
lives of thousands more in the Allied force as we completed our task of
ridding Europe of fascism.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends from Utah and New Hampshire for their
leadership on this bill. I thank Chairman Cleaver today for guiding our
debate, and I encourage everyone in the House to support H.R. 707.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is one of the most amazing things that I have
had the opportunity to support since I have been in Congress. And this
bill is simply amazing. It ensures official recognition of creativity
and innovation displayed by members of the Ghost Army in saving lives,
contributing to the defeat of the axis powers during World War II.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Kuster for her work in ensuring recognition
of this brave and talented group of citizen-soldiers and their unique
contributions to the war effort.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McNerney). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 707, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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