Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson awarded West Linn man Stephen Raff and his family a Congressional Gold Medal Thursday, March 21 on behalf of Raff’s father, Alvin Howard Raff, who served in a secret military deception unit during World War II.
The unit, known as the “Ghost Army,” used inflatable tanks, sound effects, radio trickery and their own ingenuity to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe.
For more than half a century, the military kept the efforts of the Ghost Army a secret. With just seven men of the 82 officers and 1,023 soldiers still alive today, their heroics are finally being recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Congress passed a bill in 2022 to bestow the medal to members of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133 Signal Company Special, which made up the Ghost Army.
“It was my distinct honor to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Ghost Army in recognition of their unique and highly distinguished service,” President Joe Biden wrote when he signed the bill in 2022. “The brave Service members of the Ghost Army played a crucial role in the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. Using creatively deceptive tactics, the Ghost Army put their lives on the line to save countless others. They embodied the courage, integrity and self-sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. Their valor and service to our Nation and our Allies will forever be remembered.”
The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress’ greatest expression of appreciation and was awarded first to George Washington in 1776.
“It’s going to be pretty historic,” Stephen Raff said.
Raff’s father, Alvin, who was born in Chicago, enlisted in 1943. As part of the 3133 Signal Service Company Special, he and his unit deployed sonic deception tactics in Italy.
He came home from Europe in 1946 as a staff sergeant.
Alvin Raff died on Sept. 6, 2008.
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