World War II Veteran Honored for Secret Mission in Western Europe
Bernie Bluestein, a World War II veteran, spent most of his life unable to speak about his experiences during the war. Now, at the age of 100, he is finally being recognized for his role in a secret unit known as the “Ghost Army.”
Bluestein, who joined the U.S. Army as a sophomore in 1943, was part of the 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion. This unit was tasked with creating diversions and decoys to confuse German forces in Western Europe. Their mission was so classified that it was not declassified until 1996.
In a recent interview, Bluestein revealed that the Ghost Army’s tactics helped save the lives of about 30,000 soldiers by forcing German commanders to spread their defenses thin in eastern France. Their efforts allowed the U.S. Army’s 90th Division to cross the Rhine River with less resistance.
Bluestein, along with two other members of the Ghost Army, Seymour Nussenbaum and John Christman, received the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony on Capitol Hill. The event was attended by over 600 people, including family members and friends of the veterans.
The Ghost Army, which numbered about 1,100 troops, used inflatable tanks, fake airfields, and other decoys to deceive the enemy. Their mission, though unrecognized for over 50 years, played a crucial role in the Allied victory in World War II.
For Bluestein and his fellow soldiers, receiving the Congressional Gold Medal was a long-overdue honor. Only seven of the original 1,100 members of the Ghost Army are believed to still be alive.
The efforts to honor the Ghost Army veterans were spearheaded by Rick Beyer, a film producer who learned about the unit nearly two decades ago. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Beyer and his team were determined to see the veterans recognized for their bravery and sacrifice.
As the number of surviving Ghost Army members dwindles, the importance of honoring their legacy becomes even more significant. The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers during World War II.
