Campaign Overview

Bipartisan legislation has been re-introduced  in 2019 to award a Congressional Gold Medal to The Ghost Army. Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Peter King (R-NY) have introduced HR 2350, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act. On the Senate side, Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me) introduced a companion  bill,  S 1421. The bipartisan legislation encompasses both the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, and the 3133 Signal Company Special, which practiced sonic deception in Italy.
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“It’s an honor to sponsor this bipartisan legislation to honor the unsung heroes of the Ghost Army whose innovative tactics sowed confusion among enemy forces during World War 2. The members of the Ghost Army, including Granite Stater Mickey McKane, saved countless Allied lives through their visual and acoustic deception. It’s long past time that these brave Americans were recognized for their contributions to the war effort during WWII, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”
-Representative Annie Kuster (D-NH)
“I commend Rep. Kuster for introducing this legislation which honors the critical role of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (“Ghost Army”) during World War II. Their heroics were unknown for more than 40 years and it is finally time that the American people not only learn about but recognize their ingenuity and selflessness which saved countless American and Allied lives. They deserve their due."
-Representative Peter King (R-NY) ​
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“The men recruited for the Ghost Army were men of muscle, but also men of the mind. They were creative, original thinkers that used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy. Their weapons were unconventional but their patriotism was unquestionable.”
-Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Ghost Army Congressional briefing, July 18, 2017

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“Our nation will always be grateful to the members of the ‘Ghost Army’ soldiers who served with distinction during World War II. This bipartisan bill would recognize these soldiers with Congress’ highest civilian honor for their courage and resourcefulness, which were pivotal in the European theater and likely saved many American lives.”
-Senator Susan Collins (R-Me)
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"I am proud of this Ghost Army legislation, and I hope to see it move forward and pass so that these fine Americans can receive the recognition they have long deserved. God bless the members of the Ghost Army."
-Senator John Kennedy, (R-LA),  speech on the Senate Floor, June 6, 2017

Deserving Honor
Fewer than 30 of the citizen-soldiers who served in this unit are left. Seventy years after the war’s end it is time to recognize the incredible and largely overlooked accomplishments of this select group of soldiers. In recent years the Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to other under-recognized WWII units including The Doolittle Raiders (2015) The Monuments Men (2013), Women Air Service Pilots (2010) and the Native American Code talkers (2008). The dangerous, life-saving, top-secret work of The Ghost Army is well deserving of similar recognition.

Letters of Support
There has been an outpouring of support from people across the country for this effort. The American Legion, the National World War II Museum, the Arizona Legislature, and the Missouri House of Representatives are among the entities that have called upon Congress to recognize the accomplishments of this unit;  Here are some of our letters of support.  Helen Patton, grand-daughter of famed WWII General George S. Patton Jr, is one of those supporting the effort, pointing to the numerous operations the Ghost Army conducted on Patton's behalf.  She writes: "The Ghost Army will live in our hearts and minds forever. May Congress pass this legislation and honor these heroes at last while the remaining handful are still with us. For to quotePatton himself, it is time to 'Give credit where credit is due.'"

What Can I do ?What can I do? 
All Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be sponsored by two-thirds of the House and Senate before it can be considered. So we need co-sponsors.

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