A group of unsung veterans may receive the Congressional Gold Medal for fooling the Nazis with the Ghost Army.

Special effects weren’t nearly as advanced during World War II as they are today, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t good enough to thwart Nazis. On D-Day, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops risked their lives to draw Nazi fire away from their compatriots. Rather than fight the enemy themselves, however, the unit used a ‘ghost army’ of inflatable tanks and sound effects to trick the Nazis.

The gambit worked. The theatrical Ghost Army completely fooled enemy fighters, and the unit ultimately contributed to Allied victory.

Unfortunately, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops didn’t receive much recognition for its scheme. To fix this, Reps Peter King and Annie Kuster are introducing legislation that would award surviving veterans of the Congressional Gold Medal.

“It is finally time that the American people recognize their ingenuity and selflessness which saved countless American and Allied lives,” King said.  “They deserve their due.”

The bill, titled The Ghost Army Gold Medal Act, was inspired by a recent documentary and book that drew attention to the unit. Bradley Cooper, star of ‘American Sniper,’ is apparently working on a film project to immortalize the Ghost Army.

[The Washington Times]