The Film
![theghostarmy 470](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-470-2.jpg)
"Riveting, fascinating...unbelievable...this film is an astonishment."
-Rick Kogan, WBEZ Radio, Chicago
"Eye-opening and entertaining...don't miss it."
-World War II Magazine
"A World War II combat movie...taken over by a Looney Tunes cartoon."
-The Boston Globe
Buy the DVD: PBS Amazon Barnes and Noble
Download/Rent: iTunes Amazon
![theghostarmy 470](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-470-1.jpg)
Eight years in the making, the documentary premiered on PBS in 2013 and was awarded a CINE Golden Eagle. It has since been broadcast in more than 25 countries, and is currently available on home video. It will return to PBS stations in May 2024.
The Ghost Army of World War II
by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles
![theghostarmy 723](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-723-1.jpg)
"Well written, lively, and informative, a complete pleasure to read."
-America in World War II
"The Ghost Army of World War II describes a perfect example of a little-known, highly imaginative, and daring maneuver that helped open the way for the final drive to Germany. It is a riveting tale told through personal accounts and sketches along the way—ultimately, a story of success against great odds. I enjoyed it enormously."
-Tom Brokaw, NBC Special Correspondent, author of The Greatest Generation.
"Brings to life a whale of a tale of World War II innovation – one laced with brash creativity. The notion of a special Army unit using dummy equipment, mobile loudspeakers, officer impersonations and foul rumors to deceive German forces seems outlandish, but the tactics worked. This theater-goes-to-war story is finely told, beautifully illustrated, an important contribution."
-Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, President & CEO of The National WWII Museum
"Five very big stars to The Ghost Army of World War II, by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles. A beautiful and wildly entertaining book that captures the spirit of the courageous and innovative men of the Ghost Army. It is also an astonishingly complete visual record of the American GI’s experience from training to deployment in the European Theatre during the Second World War. An important book -- every school and public library should add this to their collection. And likewise, every WWII history buff will want to have it on their keeper shelves to read again and again."
-Suzanne Brockman, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles’ The Ghost Army of World War II is a fascinating read, and a fun one as well. The well-paced narrative belies the substantial research behind this unusual story, of the top-secret unit that “deceived the enemy with inflatable tanks, sound effects, and other audacious fakery”. And audacious is the right word for this daring side show that protected Patton’s flank and other American soldiers. Plus, the original art is superb, and frequently humorous. I knew about the efforts to distract the Nazis with a buildup of fake armaments in Britain prior to D-Day, but I never knew about the multi- talented GIs who continued this “magic show” in Europe. This book is a well-crafted account of the amazing combination of shenanigans and tremendous courage that characterized the Twenty Third Headquarters Specal Troops."
-Libby O'Connel, Ph.D., Chief Historian, the History Channel, author of The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites.
"The Ghost Army of World War II is a veritable hive of fascinating information based on sound research. It’s apparent that Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles enjoy the subject with a level of dedication and passion that warms the hearts of irascible military historians such as me. I heartily commend this book.”
-Martin King, military historian, author of The Tigers of Bastogne
"This book is a complete delight. An engaging account of the battlefield sleights of American GI artists during WWII, it is unprecedented in the breadth and detail of its telling. The suspense of its text is enlivened by a wealth of on-scene photographs, artists’ sketchbooks, diaries and other compelling first-person accounts. This is the eyewitness story of the Ghost Army as told by the artists who made it succeed."
Roy R. Behrens, author of False Colors: Art, Design and Modern Camouflage
The Film
The Making of...
![The Making of](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-ghostarmy-388-1.jpg?rand=981)
Rick Beyer interviews Ghost Army veteran jack McGlynn.
The story is told with the help of carefully-researched archive footage from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and other archive sources in the US and Germany. There are also nearly 200 wartime photos and artworks created by the men in the unit. The result is a rich and personal telling of this amazing story.
Support for the film has come from more than 500 individual donors. The film could not have been made without their generosity.
![ghostarmy 388](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-388-3.jpg)
Traveling Exhibit
Exhibit Overview
“As we began to let people know about the exhibit, we found that interest grew rapidly and enthusiasm spread throughout our community. The Ghost Army story is one people are excited to learn about!”
-Karen Jordan, Exhibits and Outreach Librarian, University of Michigan
The exhibit has since been expanded and modified by co-curators Rick Beyer and Liz Sayles. The newest addition to the exhibit is a realistic replica of the inflatable tanks used by the unit. The exhibithas been displayed, in different configurations, in New City NY, Mechanciville NY, Lexington MA, Beverly MA, Neillsville WI, and Woonsocket, RI. It is headed to Naples, Florida and Cinncinnati Ohio in the spring of 2014.
Here are some photos of the exhibit in it different locales.
![theghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-231-2.jpg)
![ghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-231-8.jpg)
![theghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-231-9.jpg)
![theghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-231-3.jpg)
![ghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-231-5.jpg)
![ghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-231-6.jpg)
![ghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-231-7.jpg)
![ghostarmy 231](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/ghostarmy-231-4.jpg)
Sample Comments left by visitors to the exhibit:
“Intriguing. Makes me feel proud. Such ingenuity.”
“Poignant artwork gives meaningful insights into some private moments”
“This is a story that should be told many times over. Thanks for sharing it with us.”
There is also a separate exhibit of original Ghost Army art that has been exhibited in Nyack, NY and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
• Booking the Exhibit
• Seeing the Exhibit
The Film
What People Are Saying
Steven J. Schupak, Vice President, Televesion Programming, Maryland Public Televison
The Ghost Armys story is one that needs to be told, and you are well on your way to telling it with substance and style. I am happy to give your project the whole-hearted endorsement of The Natonal World War II Museum.
Samuel J. Wegner, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Production Team
Rick Beyer
![Rick Beyer](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/Smooth-Rick-.jpg?rand=51)
In addition to producing The Ghost Army for PBS he has produced numerous documentaries for The History Channel, The National Geographic Channel, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and others. Credits include Expedition Apocalypse, Emancipation Proclamation, The Wright Challenge (winner of a Parents Choice award) Secrets of Jamestown, and Timelab 2000, an award-winning series of history minutes hosted by Sam Waterston.
With Elizabeth Sayles, he wrote the book The Ghost Army of World War II, which came out in an updated edition in 2023. He is also the author of The Greatest Stories Never Told series of history books, as well as Rivals Unto Death, a dual biography of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. A resident of Chicago, he frequently writes and lectures on history, and has appeared on NPR, NBC, CBS, CNN Fox News and numerous other media outlets.
![theghostarmy 399](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-399-2.jpg)
Press Release
Ghost Army Generic Press Release (pdf)This is a generic press release about the film that can be adapted by adding information about a specific event. It also contains language describing the film that can be lifted for flyers, emails, etc.
The Film
How It All Got Started
![The Ghost Army](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-DSC_0542.jpg?rand=33)
Rick Beyer and Martha Gavin flank Martha's uncle, John Jarvie, a veteran of the Ghost Army.
Film Festivals
![Film Festivals](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-Suffern.jpg?rand=211)
Film Festivals which selected and screened The Ghost Army
Salem Film Fest
Salem, MA
Festival Dates: 3/7/13 -3/14/13
OPENING NIGHT OF FESTIVAL - WINNER OF AUDIENCE AWARD
GI Film Festival
Washington, DC
Festival Dates: 5/6/13 - 5/12/13
Moab Film Festival
Moab, Utah
Festival Dates: September 20 -22, 2013
WINNER of AUDIENCE AWARD
International Historical And Military Film Festival
Warsaw, Poland
October 2013
Boston International Kids Film Festival
Boston, MA
October 11, 2015
Cinesol Folm Festival
McAllen Texas
November 16, 2013
The D-Day to the Rhine/Ghost Army Tour 2025
"I just returned from my tour with Rick walking in the footsteps of the Ghost Army (GA) I can’t praise it enough.I loved hearing/seeing stories/journals/artwork by members of the GA shared at locations where they worked and carried out their deception. We visited monuments that Rick advocated for, dedicated to the GA and went off the beaten path which only enriched the experience. Rick’s knowledge and, even better, his desire to share his knowledge is infectious. Thank you, Rick!"
- Sarah H., 2023 guest
"This Tour is in a Class of its own"
– Doug McCord, 2018 guest
The tour is operated by Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours. Click here for more information or to register.
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-1.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-2.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-3.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-4.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-5.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-6.jpg)
![](https://ghostarmy.com/images/thumbs/theghostarmy-837-7.jpg)
The Authors
![theghostarmy 767](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-767-3.jpg)
He is the author of the popular The Greatest Stories Never Told series of history books, described by the Chicago Tribune as “an old-fashioned sweetshop full of tasty morsels.” He also wrote Rivals Unto Death: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Beyer and his wife, Marilyn Rea Beyer, live in Chicago.
![theghostarmy 767](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-767-2.jpg)
Sayles grew up on stories of the Ghost Army told by her father,William Sayles. She worked with Rick Beyer to curate an exhibition of Ghost Army art at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack,New York, one of many art shows she has cocurated.
Sayles is an adjunct professor of illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and at the City University of New York, Queens. She lives in the lovely Hudson Valley, New York, with her husband,Matt Dow, and their daughter, Jessica.
Funders
Funding Honor Roll
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-1.jpg)
This is a list of the generous people who have donated to the Ghost Army. It was last updated in early December 2012. Everyone who has donated at the "Donor" level or higher will be listed in the credits of the theatrical/home video version of the film.
If you are one of the hundreds of people on the list, we honor you for making this film possible. You can rightly claim a big part of the credit. As for the rest of you, if you want to make the list, you know what you have to do:
![Make a Secure Donation Now](http://www.donationpay.org/images/buttons/DonateRed.png)
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-2.jpg)
Barbara Moses & Matt Grayson
Richard W. Mark & Maura Harway
Thomas Moers Mayer & Jerri Sines Mayer
BENEFACTORS
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-3.jpg)
Karen & Paul Isaac
Richard & Kathryn Kimball
The John Anson Kittredge Fund
PATRONS
Larry & Jennifer Clark
Contrarian Capital
Historical Society of Rockland County NY
Tom and Carla Fortmann
Bob Gaffney
Martha Gavin
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-4.jpg)
Craig Albert & Adrienne Koch
Robert and Daran Mayer
The Riedl Family
Kevin & Kristin Rover
Jeff Davis & Paula Schaeffer
SPONSORS
Elkan & Susan Isaacs Abramowitz
Aram & Arletta Beloian
Leo Beranek
Kathleen Butler
Carol Ann Meyer & Christopher S. Carstens
Paul Doherty
Marsha Baker & Harry Forsdick
Ruth W. Friendly
George & Christina Gamota
Timothy Jackson
John Maloney
Richard & Lisa Paige
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-5.jpg)
Susan Bennett and John Rosenberg
Kim Seale
C. Bowes Sheridan
Peter & Jeanne Sheridan
Elsa Sullivan
Peter Threadgill
James Malley & Laura Torrado
Erika Vrabel
Paul & Carol Lynne Weaver
Erika Young
FRIENDS
Ralph Sager & Margaret Beyer
Joshua Brain
Bob Breit
Margaret Butler
Coastal capital
Edward & Patricia De Sear
Gregory Dowd
Jeffrey Dowd
R Hilliard Ebling
Roy Eichhorn
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Filmore
Barry & Diana Gelston
Elizabeth Glazer
Gregory & Janice Gormican
Annette Gonthier Kiely
Babette & Peter Loring
William Lyman
Jonathan Mark
Cornelius McCarthy
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-6.jpg)
John & Mary McGlynn
Edward Moriarty & Emily McPhillips
Susan Bernfield & Claude Millman
John J. Donvan & Ranit Mishori
Christina Olmedo
Jennifer & Gary Palardy
Maj. Gen.l George A. Rebh
Sally B West Living Trust
Richard Schwartz
John and Marsha Shyer
Joseph & Carol Spence
Paul & Nancy Tanguay
Daniel & Jeannine Thomasch
Gregory & Cecilia Thomson
Richard L. Thorne Jr & Lois A. Walsh
David & Lois Wells
SUPPORTERS
Richard E. Alterman
David Baldwin
Barbara Barnes
Chris & Carol Bateman
Clark Baxter
Edward & Laura Bell
Robert & Ellen Beyer
Bob Borders
Bill Boswell
Gail Boyajian
Stephanie Bristol
Mary Buchbinder
Gregory & Nancy Cannon
Hyuk Chung
D. Barbara Ciampa
Alan M. Barstow & Jennifer R. Clarke
James M. Davis
Michael and Delores Demerath
John Dodds
Doran Family
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund (Matching)
Harold and Ruthann Flinn
Christopher & Andrea Galligan
Ned Harris
Francis N. Janis & Mitchell Harwood
Douglas Holmes
Paul Horvitz
Christine Hughes
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-9.jpg)
James & Maryanne Ray Ibach
Adrian & Andrea Jackson
William & Leslie Jacques
Thomas & Sarah Janover
David & Denise Jarvie
Mary & Edward Jelinek
Morton G Kahan MD
Georgianne Kasuli
Don & Meg Kelley
William & Yvette Kirby
Edgar Knudson
Christian Halabi & Carolyn Langelier
Robert Oppenheim and Terra Levin
Forrest Lewis
Douglas J. Luckerman
David McAlpin, Jr.
Michael McGlynn
Kevin McGuire
McHugh & Company, Inc.
Melanie McLaughlin (Project)
Marilyn & John McWeeney
Mandy Minichiello
Christian Nagler
David & Patricia Nelson
Joseph & Molly Nye, Jr
James J. O'Neill
Richard & Jane Pagett
Julie Partridge
Beverly Payeff
Bill and Maureen Poole
William and Dorthy Rea
Robert Duncan & Julia M. Reade
Bartlett Leber & Drew Rockwell
Gene Mackles & Kathy Rosen
Kristy Rudel
Kathleen Schaefer
Edwin Eisendrath and Jennifer Schulze
Jann Grace Seale
Ernest Van B. Seasholes
Gilbert Seltzer
Richard Seltzer
Hans Hielman & Nancy Shephard
Epp Sonin
Mary Spence
Jack & Kathleen Strettar
Margaret Thomason
Gloria & Joseph Vadus
Michael and Paula Vosburgh
Amy Woodward & Leonard Weiser-Varon
Orrin & Robin Zucker
DONORS
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-8.jpg)
AIG Matching Gift Program
Bruce and Cindy Albrecht
Dale Albrecht
Taylor Armerding
Smoki Bacon
Anne Bagamery
Richard & Erin Barbato
Jamie Barth
Steven & Suzanne Bennett
William & Anne Benninghoff
Jocelyn Benzaia
Debra & George Bergeris
Michele Bernier
David & Christine Bertoni
Marilyn Rea Beyer
Beyer, Blinder and Belle Architects
Julie Neuber Bishop
William and Janic Blanchard
Linda Blumetti
Henrietta Davis & Richard Bock
Diane Bogosian
Bob Borders
Debbi Borders-Ralph
John & Mary Bou
Mr. & Mrs. John Bowden
Joseph Brain
Peter & Beatrice Britton
Edward Brown
Claudia Brown
Edward Brown
Doug Brown
Linda Button
Mark Tomizawa & Linda Button
Carolyn Spence Cagle
Ann Marie Carroll
Valerie Robin & Brian Cavanaugh
Tom & Michelle Chatellier
William & Rosemarie Codus
Norman P. Cohen
Barbara M.Moran & Brian Collins
Jody Collins
Frederick Conrad
Robert & Esther Conrad
Patricia Elen Costello
Robert and Michaelyn Crain
Bonnie L. Crane
Bill Crittenden
Caroline Cunningham
Nathaniel Dahl
Anne L. Dahlstedt
Philip Davis
Gene Davis (Pirinate)
Austin de Besche
Dennis & Alice DelDonno
Scott Devendorf
Vinent and Rita DiFiore
Allen Dors
Marybeth Dougherty
William Sayles & Elizabeth Sayles Dow
Peter Durfee
Arielle Eckstut
Linda Edgerly
Steve & Joyce Elioupolos
Michael & Gayle Epp
Bernice H. Fallick
Charles & Mary Favazzo
Claudia Fenderson
Karon Flage
Mark Flage
Doe Florsheim
Therese M. Flynn
Theresa Flynn
Patricia Fouhy
![theghostarmy 438](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/theghostarmy-438-7.jpg)
Donald H Fox
Scott and Nancy Fraser
Janet Freeman
Henry A. & Audrey Duva Frissora MD
Katharine G. Galaitsis
Ruth Gardner
Sandra M. Gasbarro
Gina Leto & Frederick Gay
Jason Smith & Alison Giblin
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Giblin
Gointech
Barry & Sara Goldberg
Deborah Gordon
Richard M. Griswold, Jr.
William & Shelly Grody
Kurt and Carrie Anne Gunter
Nicholas L. Gunther
Bradley Klein & Danielle E. Gustafson
Craig Gutowski
Carolyn Hackett
Barbara C. Hall
John Hardman
Beth Harrington
Johnson & Cynthia Hay
Joyce Lafazia Heimbecker
Lisa Hickler
Charles Hoffman
Diane Howard
Mr. & Mrs. David Isaman
Maria Jagalla
Susan Jankovich
Fred Johnson
George Johnson
Michael Kalil
Deirdre & Howard Kartstein
Marilyn Kass
Jay R. Kaufman
James & Paula Kemler
Lauren Kennedy
Linda Kenyon
John & Carol Kimbrough
Howard and Linda Kloempken
Ivan Klumpar
Linda Konopka
George Kosar
Steve Eppinger & Julie Laukkanen
James & Anne Lee
Marianne Leese
Liz Linder
Joseph and Jacqueline Lofgren
Jean LoPresti
Babette & Peter Loring
Linda & Steven Luz-Alterman
Robert Mackey
James & Victoria Macmillan
Jeremy & Patricia Main
Jack Masey
Edward & Christel McCarthy
George & Karen Mechem
A. Melein
Linda Lutz and Steve Meyer
A. Howard & Sharon Metro
Nancy and Paul Miller
Richard & Marion Mooney
Hans Morkisch
Dillard Morrison
Jane Morse
Susan and Marc Mulvey
Jack Murray
Maureen Myers
NYSE Group (Matching Gustafson)
Mark and Michelle O'Neill
Ed Odgen
Diane Olberg
Fred Wikf abd Deborah Paisner
Robert A. Paratore
Malcolm Parkinson
John & Heidi Petronio
Katharine Pierce
Ardith Platt
Anne Pollack
Gervasio & Mary Pat Prado
David Pronchick
Douglsas Propp
Joanna Proulx
Joan Quinn
Alan Rappaport
The Honorable Thomas J. Ratcliff, USA (Ret)
Russell & Audrey Ray
Gary & Bonita Reed
Dennis & Mary Reilly
Neva Reiner
Ricotta LLC
Lois & Walter Riley
Ellen Mardock and Tom Robison
Jordan and Joyce Roderick
Paul Ross
Jonathan & Lisa Sack
Douglas & Laurie Sanders
Susan Sayles-Waldek
Marilyn Scimone
Loryn Sheffner
Lorraine P. Silva
Don Slepian
Ed and Diane Smith
Allen L. Snyder
Thomas Squier
John Squier
Peter Starr
Deborah Stein
Lynnell Stern
Howard & Elizabeth Stone
Edward & Cathy Sullivan
Gerald Swislow
Temple Isiah Brotherhood
The Douglas Group
Mary & David Thielscher
Ann Thorsell
Andy Tompkins
Lance Trollinger
Donald & Mary Trotter
Walsh
Paul and Sue Warn
Buck Weaver
Betsy Weaver
Susan Weissman
Kathleen & Christopher Weld
Charles Nelson & Gwen Werner
Kefira Wilderman
John Wilhelm, Jr.
Andrea Williams
Bill & Katie Winter
AFFILIATES
Jan Aber
Gene Agnew
L.A. Andolfo Andolfo
Keith & Judy Asarkof
Steven Aslesen
Jane Donahue & Matthew G. Austin
Andrea Axelrod
William Aydelott
Christine Hardy Ayers
David Backer
Robin Baker
Joann Baquilod
Lisa Watson Barr
Susan Barrera
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Barrett
Dorothy Basile
Augusta & Regina Bello
Harry Bennett
Ruth Ann Bennett
Julie Bernardin
Roberta Beyer
Richard Beyer
Andy Beyer
Richard Beyer
Edwin Beyer
Alan Bier
Anthony Bigbee
WG AND PA Bloomquist
Evelyn Blum
Steven Blumenthal
Felicia Bober
Nick Bobis
Susan Borke
Judy Boxer
Susan Brazer
Patricia Brown
James Budarz
Todd Burger
Sylvia Pena Burke
Kris Burns
John Bussey
Jonathan and Marsha Byrnes
Karen M. Cady
Cathleen Cahill
Arlington & Bonnie Campbell
Brad Capland
David & Elaine Carey
Christopher Causley
Rachel Chansky
Suzanne & Jonathan Chase
Chan Fong Cheok
Robert Child
Grace Choung
Nathaniel & Hester Clapp
Howard Coates
Brendan Connell
Judith Connorton
Jeffrey & Carrie Corliss
Wendy Costello
Adam Czarnecki
Leslie Dann
Alexis Dasaro
jacqueline Davison
Bert De Bruijn
Montgomery Delaney
S.J. Densen
John Dougan
Bobby Doyle
jeffrey Dunn
Terence Eagan
Becky Sue Epstein
Willie Escaba
Matt Everard
Francis Everett
Carol D. Everly
Thomas Farley
Thomas Farmer
Marianne Faurobert
Christine Lavin & Betsy Franco Feeney
Mary Ferry
Gail Finnie
David Fivek
Ellen M. Fobert
Jennifer Fondel
Rebecca Graham Forde
Benjamin Forsdick
Daniel Fortunov
John & Patricia Fouhy
Albert Foundos
Thomas Fraser
Bruce R. Frederick
Kirk Friedland
Michael & Elizabeth Gaffney
Paul Garmon
Danielr Gauche
Jonathan Gawne
Tamara Gaydos
Serena Gibson
Ellen Giurleo
Robert Goodwin
Kathy Greenholdt
Mr. Frederick Hammond
Pamela Hartman
Hunter Harwood
Lester D. Blumberg & Robin Hasenfeld
Matt Heltsley
Rob Hess
Timothy Higdon
Michael Higgins
Cori Hirai
Lisa Hoffman
Donna M. Hooper
Timothy Hurst
Laura Hussong
Sheryl Hutch
Timothy & Joan Ingraham
Tammy Jaggi
Pamela Jarvie
Craig Johnson
Whitney Johnson
Charles Jones
Jacquie Jones
Karen Jordan
Pamela J. Jordan
Deanne Josephson
Stephanie June
Frederick Mitchell & Carin Kale
Martha E. Kelley
Gay and Naomi King
Michael Kingsley
Richard Klug
John R. Knight Knight
Matthew Koed
Richard Kollen
Richard & Katharine Kosinski
Karen Kosky
Walter Kosmowski
Barbara Angelone Lamagna
William & Constance Lane
B. Gresh Lattimore Jr
James Lattin
M. Sweeney Lawless
Gary Lefkowitz
David Lemoine
Celeste Leveillee
Dan Levitt
Bonnie & Harry Levy
Frankie Lieberman
James Linden
Jeff Lipson
Linda Boardman Liu
Sarah Long
Harriet Lupino
Robert Macauley
Margaret and Christopher Macek
David Macpherson
Helene Mancini
Edward Marcus
Carol marshall
Louis Mayer
Heather Mbaye
Toshia McCabe
K Mahoney McGuinness
Susan McHugh
James Mcshane (Medical Center Dental)
Margaret McVeigh
Caity Mellicant
Lori Metsa
Kathleen Herbert Mislan
David & Karen Mogul
Alastair Moock
Rick & JoAnna Mooney
Lois Mulcahey
Rosemar Nadolsky
David Nagy
Joan Nash
Clare Marie Nemanich
Jay Newell
Brandy Newlon
Dennis Nickels
Joel D Nickels
Seymour Nussenbaum
Cathleen O'Connell
D. M. Pienta & D. A. O'Donahue
Jason Olarte-Har
Eleanor Palais
Mark & Sonia Palkes
Josie Patterson
Peter Pedulla
Katherine Gergely Pessin
Arno and Mary Peterson
Ken Pisani
Hope & Dennis Place
Jill R
Steven Ratner
Larence and Jill Rea
Vincent and Sandra Rea
Anthony and Janet Rea
Charles Redmon
Jennifer & Gary Reilly
Ken Rendell
Jennifer Leto Revill
Anthony P. Riccardi
Phyllis & Eugene Ritvo
Dale Robinson
Susan Rockwell
Rachel Roessler
Marty and Carol Rogers
Marion Rosenbluth
William Rucci
Lisa Russo
Lynn Saaby
Amy Samuels
Robert Sanders
William Saunders
Kathy Schaefer
Paula Schenck
Christopher Schiller
Elizabeth Schmidt
Catherine Schmidt
Alison Sebastian
Nelson Seo
jacqueline Sheridan
Elsie Shiohara
Amy L. Sill
Lisa Simmons
Howard Simms
Alan Singer
Catherine Spence
Jodi Spence
Rob Stegman
Lisa Steimel
Shirley & Irving Stempel
Sterling INsurance
Theresa Capuana & Albert Strom
Elsa Sullivan
Kathleen Suzuki
W.W. Symonds
Lorna Tahtinen
Dan Tappan
Scott Thayer
The T.M. Group
Bernice Thompson
John Tisdale
Katie Todd
Jens & Marilyn Touborg
Cheryl & Roger Tremblay
Charles Trepcos
Gale Trippsmith
Edwardl Ryerson & Alice Turkel
Robert Ullman
Karen Vetrone
John Vittal
Cathy Ann Wade
Gail Walker
Lenna Warner
Leah Warshawski
Elizabeth M. Watson
J.A. & Marjorie Weerts
Emily Whitten
Peter & Babette Wilkins
Harvey Williams
Rozalia Wodakow
Nancy B Woods
Fixmer Xavier
David Young
Suzanne Young
Linda Yu
Garrett Zevgetis
Nellie I. Znamierowski
Dave Zornow
In-Kind Donations
David Allen Animated Tiles and Poster/Postcard design
Richard Bock Sound Mixing
Linda ButtonMarketing Consulting
Martha GavinFundraiser Expenses
Gene MacklesDesign of fundraising material
RumbleStrip Sound Mixing for promos
Liz SaylesDesign of Fundraising material
Spire Fine Art Printing Printing of Artists of Deception
If you believe that you have been left off the list by error, or if you notice some other mistake, PLEASE email rick@ghostarmy.org. I want to make sure that everyone who donated to the project is recognized here.
Photos
High-res photos cleared for media use
Inflatable Tank (jpg)93 pound inflatable tank, of the kind used by The Ghost Army. Courtesy: National Archives
Sonic Halftrack (jpg)A halftrack with a 500 speaker mounted on the back for sonic deception. Courtesy: National Archives
Rick Beyer and Wesley Clark (jpg)Filmmaker RIck Beyer and Gen. Wesley Clark (ret), who is one of the people interviewed in the film.Courtesy; Rick Beyer
"The Americans are Very Strong" (jpg)Arthur Shilstone's painting of two Frenchmen surprised to see 4 GI's lifting a 40 tank. "The Americans are very strong" he told them. Courtesy: Arthur Shilstone
Dummy Tank (jpg)Dummy M4 Sherman tank used by The Ghost Army. Courtesy: National Archives
Filmmaker Rick Beyer (jpg)Courtesy: Rick Beyer
Dummys on the Rhine (jpg)Dummy tanks and trucks set up near the German towns of Anrath and Dulken in March, 1945, as part of The Ghost Army's last operation.
Production Team
Peter Coyote
Narrator
![Peter Coyote](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-peter2.jpg?rand=388)
From 1975 to1983 Peter was a member of the California State Arts Council, and this interest in art and artists was central to his interest in narrating the The Ghost Army.
He is a politically engaged person who has championed a multitude of causes. He is also an avid outdoorsman as well as a guitarist and songwriter. He lives in Marin County in Northern California with his wife Stephanie Pleet.
The Experts
Gen. Wesley Clark
![Wesley Clark deception The Ghost Army](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-general_wesley_clark_official_photograph_edited.jpg?rand=262)
Traveling Exhibit
Booking the Exhibit
Supplemental materials include a short video piece on DVD; CD with tank sound effects; and camouflage netting. More materials are being developed.
Rental costs depend on the nature of the exhibiting organization, whether or not admission is being charged, the length of time the materials are needed, and what (if any) customization is desired.
For more information contact:
Rick Beyer
rick@ghostarmy.org
781-801-3261
Press Kit
Ghost Army Documentary Press Kit
THE GHOST ARMY AVAILABLE VIA PBS PLUS ON MAY 15
Documentary Reveals the Amazing Story of the Secret WWII Unit That Duped Hitler’s Army — And Has Recently Been Honored by Congress
War, deception, and art come together in Rick Beyer’s documentary The Ghost Army, the astonishing true story of American G.I.s — many of whom would go on to have illustrious careers in art, design, and fashion — who tricked the enemy with rubber tanks, sound effects, and carefully crafted illusions during the Second World War. A remarkable story of a top-secret mission that was at once absurd, deadly and amazingly effective, The Ghost Army returns via PBS PLUS
An inflatable tank designed to fool German soldiers. and is available for scheduling beginning May 15, 2024 for Memorial Day or D-Day Anniversary scheduling.
In the summer of 1944, a handpicked group of G.I.s landed in France to conduct a special mission. Armed with truckloads of inflatable tanks, a massive collection of sound effects records, and more than a few tricks up their sleeves, their job was to create a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the German Army as their audience. From Normandy to the Rhine, the 1100 men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the Ghost Army, conjured up phony convoys, phantom divisions, and make-believe headquarters to fool the enemy about the strength and location of American units. Every move they made was top secret and their story was hushed up for decades after the war’s end.
In 2022, President Biden signed legislation awarding the unit a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow. The legislation states that “The United States is eternally grateful to the soldiers of the 23d Headquarters, Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company for their proficient use of innovative tactics throughout World War II, which saved lives and made significant contributions to the defeat of the Axis powers.” In March 2024, Congress will officially present the Gold Medal. Several surviving veterans are expected to attend.
For more information, download press release.
All photos on this site are cleared for use in promoting the program.
(jpg)Dummy M4 Sherman Tank, of the type used by the Ghost Army during WWII. Courtesy: Ghost Army Legacy Project
(jpg)Sonic half-track with 500 pound speaker array used by The Ghost Army for sonic deception Courtesy: Ghost Army Legacy Project
(jpg)Inflatable tanks set up in Operation VIERSEN, March 1945, in Dulken Germany, not far from the Rhine River. Courtesy: Ghost Army Legacy Project.
Press Kit
Here is a link to the book trailer: https://vimeo.com/117405727 The embed code and instructions for downloading can be found on the Vimeo page.
Press Release (pdf)Press Release from Princeton Architectural Press.
Liz Sayles Author Photo (jpg)Caption: Elizabeth Sayles
Credit: Photo by Sally Savage
Rick Beyer Author Photo - High Res (jpg)Caption: Rick Beyer
Credit: Photo by Brian Smith
Ghost Army Montage (jpg) Caption: photo montage featuring some of the eleven hundred men of the Ghost Army. From the book The Ghost Army of World War II Credits: Photos contributed by William Sayles, Dick Syracuse, Nathaniel Dahl, Jack McGlynn, Bob Boyajian
Dummy M4 Sherman tank (jpg)Dummy M4 Sherman tank of the type used by The Ghost Army. 93 pounds fully inflated.
Credit: National Archives
Sonic Deception (jpg) Caption: Uncovering the speakers on a sonic half-track
Credit: National Archives
Vander Sluis Sketch (jpg) Caption: “Near Metz” by Sgt. George Vander Sluis, 603rd Camouflage Engineers, 1944
Credit: Jeff Vander Sluis
Convoy Caption: “Convoy” by Arthur Singer, 1944 Credit: Alan & Paul Singer
Arthur Singer went on to become an internationally acclaimed wildlife artist.
The Americans Are Very Strong by Arthur Shilstone (jpg)The Americans Are Very Strong by Arthur Shilstone
Courtesy: Arthur Shilstone
This painting illustrates a story tells about the time that two Frenchmen on bicyles blundered into the Ghost Army encampment. As Shilstone tried to shoo them away, they spotted four men holding what looked like a 40 ton Sherman tank. They looked at Shilstone in bewilderment. "The Americans are very strong" he told them!
Production Team
Matt Mariano
Composer
![Matt Mariano](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-MattMariano.jpg?rand=714)
Filmmaker Rick Beyer has worked with Matt on more than half a dozen films over the last 10 years, including The History Channel documentaries The Wright Challenge, and Secrets of Jamestown.
When he’s not writing music, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and photography."
See Matt at work!
Dillard Morrison
Director of Photography
![Dillard Morrison](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-DillardBeret.jpg?rand=106)
Jon Neuburger
Editor
The Experts
Roy Eichhorn
DIY Press Release for Families
- At the bottom of the page is a link to download a customizable template for a press release you can send to local media. To find out the exact time the film will be on your local PBS station, check there. You should feel free to adjust the press release to make it work for your particular situation. Make sure you put contact info for whoever is sending the press release.
- The website of your local paper probably has an email you can submit the press release to. You should submit as soon as possible, ideally by May 3. And don’t forget to submit to the local edition of The Patch. If the veteran belongs to an organization that has a newsletter, such as the American Legion, VFW, Rotary, etc, send it there as well.
- Pictures are important. You can use the Photos link to the right download high-res photos you submit with the release. But most important is a photo of the veteran that the story is about, preferably from WWII. If you have such a photo, scan it with a resolution of at least 300 DPI, and save it as a jpeg, Send 2-3 photos in the email with your press release. You can also just give them the link to the page and let them download themselves. If you plan to deliver the press release by hand or postal mail, you can burn the photos to a DVD and attach them.
- If the veteran is available to be interviewed, mention that in the email you send with the press release. You may also say that Filmmaker Rick Beyer is available for interviews over the phone - the contacts for The Ghost Army PR team are on the bottom of the release.
- It is a good idea to follow up by phone a few days after you send the press release, just to make sure it reached a real person.
Best of luck! Every little bit helps, and I want to do everything I can to draw attention to the service of the men in this unit. Questions? Email rick@ghostarmy.org
Note: The template is downloadable in two Word formats: .doc and .docx Use whichever one is compatible with your computer.
Traveling Exhibit
Exhibit Itinerary
April 15 to October 31, 2011 Rockland County Historical Society, New City, NY
March-April 2012, Mechanicville NY
June 2-30 2012, Beverly Historical Society, Beverly MA
October-November 2012, Everett Mills, Lawrence MA (Details to come)
The Experts
Jon Gawne
![Jon Gawne](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-JGawne.jpg?rand=69)
He has written a number of books, including Spearheading D-Day, Battle for Brest, Finding Your Father's War, and Ghosts of the ETO, a book that draws on numerous interviews with veterans and extensive archival research to tell the story of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. In addition he has written a number of articles on various aspects of the American Army, and has been a principal contributor to Militaria Magazine since 1988.
The forgotten units he has documented include not only the 23rd Special Troops, but the Navy Beach Battalions, 29th Ranger Battalion, the Special Engineer Task Force, the Army Color Photography Teams, the 99th Infantry Battalion, and the Negro Volunteer Infantry.
Production Team
Jacqueline Sheridan
Co-producer
![Ghost Army WWII Sheridan](https://ghostarmy.com/images/about/about-Jacqueline.jpg?rand=317)
"It was such an enormous pleasure to meet and spend time with these veterans, and have the opportunity to be a part of this film. Thanks to all involved.”
Tim Kennedy
Photo Animation
"Very excited to be apart of the Ghost Army team. I enjoy working with such amazing
Historical images and help bring still photos to life and help tell the story of the Ghost Army."
A long time still image specialist and animator in Boston, Tim helps producers create broadcast animation for numerous production companies in the Boston area. His work has been seen in documentaries for PBS, History Channel, National Geographic, AE Network and TLC.
Tim Kennedy and Dziga MultiMedia continue to provide content creation services for broadcast television, museum installations, corporate and industrial videos for companies ranging from Bioscience and technology companies.
Geof Thurber
Sound Design
Geof started his audio career as a professional musician touring for 15 years as a bass player. He began sound designing in 1991. Emmy-nominated, he has created soundscapes that range from the bottom of the ocean to distant galaxies. His primary approach is one of using effected “organic” sound f/x (such as various animal & human elements) combined with aggressive electronically generated f/x.
For this film, he was able to employ the large library of “archival” sound effects that the studio has collected over the years to add realism to the historical footage. In the end, the main goal was hopefully to support and amplify the story and writing, not overwhelm it.
Thurber is also an experienced Foley artist and works closely with all Heart Punch clients.
(Note: Geoff Thurber died in 2019. Our condolences to his friends and family.)
Richard Bock
Audio Mix
Dave Allen (Yeah, there are two)
Colorist
"There are two Dave Allen's working on this film. Both are talented individuals who have been working in the Boston production scene for a long time. I wanted to list one of them as "The other Dave Allen" in the credits, but I could never figure out which one that should be!"
-Rick Beyer
Dave Allen has been working with Boston's filmaking community for more than 30 years as an editor and colorist. Recent projects include programs appearing on many different venues: Linda Harrar’s “Roots of Health,” Mark Davis’ “Five Years on Mars: The Rovers” (NatGeo), Nature (PBS), Allison Argo’s “Frogs: The Thin Green Line,” John Rubin Production’s “Redwoods: Search for the Living Giants” and “Is That SKUNK?” Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen's “American Masters: Louisa May Alcott” (PBS), Michal Goldman’s “At Home in Utopia,” Linda Garmon's "The Truth About Cancer" (PBS), Allison Argo's "Crash: A Tale of Two Species" (Nature/PBS), Marty Ostrow and Terry Rockefeller's "Renewal" (PBS), and David Huntley's 13-part History Channel series, "Tougher in Alaska."
he is also a singer/songwriter and DJ.
Dave Allen
Title Animation
Growing up in Ireland, Dave used to hear stories from WWII from his grandfather, Paddy O'Byrne, who served in Ireland's Merchant Marine and was awarded a medal for his service. "He was my hero," says Dave, who recalls that his grandfather took him to all the WII movies, such as The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, and Where Eagles Dare. The stories and the movies instilled an intense interest in WWII, and a great respect for that generation. He generously donated his services to the film.
"I think its a great subject to reveal to the public and in sharing these stories gives us the chance to understand these soldiers bravery and sacrifice. In doing so I hope that they receive the proper recognition and thanks."
Full Production Credis
RICK BEYER
Editor
JON NEUBERGER
Composer
MATT MARIANO
Director of Photography
DILLARD MORRISON
Special thanks to MARTHA GAVIN for her
invaluable contributions to the production
Consulting Producer
MARILYN REA BEYER
Co-Producer
JACQUELINE SHERIDAN
Associate Producers
ILENE FISCHER
CAROLINE TOTH
Concept Consultant
MARK TOMIZAWA
Photo Animations
TIM KENNEDY/DZIGA MEDIA
Map Animation
BRUCE WALKER
Title Animation
DAVID ALLEN
Color Correction
DAVE ALLEN
Sound Mix
RICHARD BOCK
Sound Design
GEOF THURBER/HEART PUNCH STUDIO
Additional Camera
RICK BEYER
BOB COLE
DOUG GRITZMACHER
Sound Recordists
TY FORD
BRIAN BUCKLEY
Camera Assistant
BRYAN MCLAMARA
Historical Advisors
ROY EICHHORN
JON GAWNE
Archive Research
POLLY KEINLE
POLLY PETIT
Interns
JOHN CHEN
REGGIE SCHIKEL
Transcriber
JOHANNA KOVITZ
Station Relations
ROBYN DESHIELDS
Public Relations
MARY LUGO
CARA WHITE
Attorney
KEVIN KOLOFF
Ghost Army Photos and Art
AL ALBRECHT
BILL ANDERSON
SPIKE BERRY
ED BIOW
BILL BLASS LTD.
BOB BOYAJIAN
ANNA S.K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION, BROWN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
BOB CONRAD
DYLAN CRAIG
NATHANIEL DAHL
VICTOR DOWD
ROY EICHHORN
NED HARRIS
JOHN JARVIE
JACK MASEY
BERNIE MASON
JACK MCGLYNN
STAN NANCE
BILL SAYLES
ARTHUR SINGER FOUNDATION
ARTHUR SHILSTONE
JOE SPENCE
DICK SYRACUSE
BOB TOMPKINS
JEFF VANDERSLUIS
ERIKA VRABEL
Archive Footage and Stills
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
GEORGE STEVENS COLLECTION
AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
BILL BLASS LTD.
BURBANK CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CORBIS
CRITICAL PAST
FRAMEPOOL
JON GAWNE
GETTY IMAGES
ANDI PREISNER
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES, OVIATT LIBRARY,
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Archive Film Transfer
Henninger Video
NATIONAL BOSTON
Equipment Rental
TALAMAS BROADCAST
Narration Record
COMMAND PRODUCTIONS
Special Thanks To:
ROY BEHRENS
LEO BERANEK
LINDA BUTTON
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY
GEN. WESLEY CLARK
THE FAMILY OF HAROLD DAHL
KAREN JORDAN
GENE MACKLES
BARBARA MORAN
GEN. GEORGE REBH
LIZ SAYLES
“ACE” SIMPSON
SPIRE FINE ART PRINTING
US ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
SUZI WALSH