The Ghost Army

It is my sad duty to report that Ghost Army veteran John Christman has died at age 100. John served in the 406th Combat Engineers, where he was a demolition specialist.

John worked at the JP Collins Lumber Mill, and then spent 20 years at the New Jersey Department of Corrections. He had no children of his own, but with two step-daughters and a step-son he was a grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather to many. It has been my pleasure to meet many in his family.

John lived in Leesburg NJ, and was locally famous for his delicious homemade bread and rolls. He started baking in 1971, and in November, 1982 he was one of the top prizewinners at the Cumberland County Holiday Bake-Off with his white bread. Fifty years later he was still baking bread for himself and his wife Janet,as well as for family holiday and birthday celebrations. His other hobbies included photography, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.

John was one of three veterans to come to the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in March 2024. He was the only one NOT in a wheelchair!

I attended John's 100th birthday party in February. He had slowed down a little bit, but was still happy to see al the folks who turned out to celebrate, including Congressman Jeff Van Drew, one of John’s biggest supporters.

As of today there are only three surviving veterans I am aware of: Bernie Bluestein in Chicago, Bill Nall in Florida, and John Smith in Michigan. We hold them all dear to our hearts.

Farewell, John Christman – we salute you!

You can read John Crhistman’s Ghost Army bio here: https://ghostarmy.org/roster/John-Wesley-Christman/

Congresswoman Annie Kuster Senator Edward J. Markey

LOWERING OF FLAGS TO HONOR THE PASSING OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN JAMES “TOMMY” ANDERSON

Flags flying at half-mast at the Delaware Capitol to honor Ghost Army veteran Tom Anderson, who is being laid to rest today.

LOWERING OF FLAGS TO HONOR THE PASSING OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN JAMES “TOMMY” ANDERSON To recognize Mr. Anderson’s lifetime of service to the United States and the State of Delaware, Governor Meyer orders flags at all state-owned buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, August 15.

The gift shop at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Looks good! (The Ghost Army exhibit is there until October 26.)

It is my sad duty to report the passing of another Ghost Army veteran. James "Tom" Anderson died on Friday evening at age 102.

Tom served in the 406th Combat Engineers. He was a bulldozer operator, and one of the soldiers who made the phony tracks for the inflatable tanks. Tom was wounded with a piece of shrapnel in his arm, and later got frostbitten feet during the Battle of the Bulge.

Tom was a hard worker, holding down at least two jobs most of his life, and he continued to work until 2020 when he was 97 years old. After that, he drove to lunch every day at Modern Maturity Center,, a senior center in Dover, Delaware, continuing to do so well past his 100th birthday. He was a favorite of many folks there

In 2022 we held a Gold Medal ceremony for him at Modern Matrutiy, with the help of the amazing Lori Christiansen I presented Tom with a letter from the president and other goodies. Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long made a presentation, as did Major General Michael Berry, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard. Local TV came and interviewed him – it was a big day!

We mourn the passing of another Ghost Army soldier - there are only four left. Farewell, Tom.

You can read his obituary is here: https://www.traderfh.com/obituaries/james-anderson-241/#!/TributeWall

His bio on the Ghost Army page is here: https://ghostarmy.org/roster/james-thomas-anderson/

The Ghost Army exhibit is now open at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. And they have added a number of items to it to cutomize for this display. Check it out! I will be speaking there on October 2 - big day!

The commune of Plabennec, France, honored the Ghost Army with a ceremony Saturday at the Ghost Army historical marker that we installed there in 2022.

Thank you, Plabennec, for remembering these men! We are so grateful! (You can't see it in these photos, but there is a good sized crowd watching.)

Deputh Mayor Anne-Thérèse Roudaut read remarks written by Carolyn Spence Cagle, daughter of Ghost Army veteran Joe Spence. (The remarks were translated into French by our dear friend and colleague Charles Cassells) She fiished with these words:

"Thank you for the gift of connecting to you today with my father’s story. I am grateful for the historical markers here and elsewhere that educate others about the Ghost Army’s
incredible work. Those markers and my father’s story keep the unit’s memory alive and the need for humanity to collaborate for a world of peace."

Out of five surviving Ghost Army veterans, one is in the hospital and two are in hospice care. Please hold them in your thoughts and prayers.

So cool to see Jennifer Jones (right), curator in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History division of Military and Society, host Ellen Wilson, daughter-in-law of Ghost Amy Veteran A.B. Wilson, to view the actual Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal.

Ellen brought a picture of A.B., who served with the 23rd Heaquarters Company. Jennifer let me know that the musueum is pleased to make the medal available for viewing by appointment for family members of those who served in the units associated with the Ghost Army. #GhostArmyGold