This is a guest blog by Siobhan Miller, Teaching with Primary Sources intern at the Young Readers Center & Programs Lab. With thanks to Megan Harris of the Veterans History Project. For more information on the Teaching with Primary Sources internship opportunity, please follow this link.
As Veterans Day approaches, many of us are reflecting on the remarkable stories of those who served. As we build a new experience for children and families in the Library, we are including content about young researchers who have uncovered tales of veterans in unique roles. As caregivers, you can share these stories with the children in your lives to commemorate Veterans Day.
The Ghost Army
One activity in development follows the research journey of Iowa student Caleb Sinnwell. When Caleb was searching for a topic for his National History Day project in 2021, teacher Suzy Turner asked him to consider something called the “Ghost Army.” Caleb had no idea what it was—but was intrigued by the name.
Through research that included using the Library of Congress’s online resources, Caleb learned that the Ghost Army was a nickname given to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, a group of artist-soldiers. They deployed sound effects of military noises and created visual dummies like inflatable tanks and even fake planes to confuse the enemy. But since the unit was secret, very few people knew of their important work, and they were not properly recognized.
Caleb’s research connected him with an advocacy group devoted to sharing the stories of the Ghost Army. In collaboration with this group, he wrote to lawmakers, convincing both of his state’s Senators to sign on as a cosponsor the S.1404 – Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act.