The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the “Ghost Army,” was the first mobile, tactical deception unit in United States Army history. It was launched in January of 1944. Consisting of an authorized strength of 82 officers and 1,023 men, this top-secret unit simulated two whole divisions—approximately 30,000 men—and used visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during World War II’s final year. The unit was a carefully selected group of artists, engineers, professional sol