Johnson, congressional leaders honor surviving WWII Ghost Army members with Congressional Gold Medal

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hosted a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on Thursday honoring the Ghost Army, which had a top-secret mission during World War II.

According to the World War II History Museum, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops or Ghost Army, activated in 1944, was the "first mobile, multimedia, tactical deception unit in US Army history."

The army consisted of an "authorized strength of 82 officers and 1,023 men under the command of Army veteran Colonel Harry L. Reeder, this unique and top-secret unit was capable of simulating two whole divisions—approximately 30,000 men—and used visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during World War II’s final year."

Johnson office said the Ghost Army is "credited with saving an estimated 30,000 lives."

Three of the seven surviving members, including, Mr. Bernard Bluestein, Mr. John Christman, and Mr. Seymour Nussenbaum, attended the ceremony where Johnson and other congressional leaders delivered remarks.

"The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor that this body can bestow upon any group or individual," Johnson said at the ceremony. "I'm truly honored to officiate this gold medal ceremony and to celebrate these incredible, brave American heroes who serve as a model for all the rest of us."