Jim Steg, a master New Orleans printmaker whose career flourished during the 20th century, is being honored by Congress for his service in WWII's Ghost Army. Soldiers with the Ghost Army landed in Europe shortly before D-Day — June 6, 1944 — and carried out more than 20 deception campaigns through the end of the war, using inflatable dummy tanks, prerecorded tracks of troops in action, fake radio dispatches and other tactics to fool German troops.

Ghost Army members were pulled from art schools, advertising agencies and other professions that required imagination and encouraged creative thought. Soldiers drew inspiration from their civilian careers as artists, architects, engineers and lawyers to think up elaborate illusions. “What made the Ghost Army special was not just their extraordinary courage, but their creativity,” said Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., the sponsor of the House bill that authorized the medal.

More about Jim Steg can be found on his website, www.jimsteg.com.

Photo courtesy of JimSteg.com