[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E588-E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE MEMORY OF JOHN WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2024

   Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and 
legacy of Mr. John Joseph Williams, a brave and dedicated soldier who 
served our Nation with distinction during World War II as a member of 
the Ghost Army special unit.
  John was assigned to the Signal Company Special of the Ghost Army, a 
top-secret unit tasked with deceiving the enemy through elaborate 
tactical deceptions. He was among the select few who landed on Omaha 
Beach on D-Day, playing a crucial role in the Allied invasion of 
Normandy. The contributions of John Williams and his fellow Ghost Army 
soldiers were kept classified until 1996. Historians credit their unit 
of 1,100 men with saving an estimated 30,000 U.S. troops, and their 
work had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
  After the war, John returned to Missouri, where he and his wife, 
Barbara, raised a family and started a successful career at the 
University of Missouri. He remained dedicated to his community and 
country until his passing on January 19, 2010, leaving a legacy of 
courage, sacrifice, and service.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to commemorate the 
life and service of John Joseph Williams.

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