A 98-year-old veteran was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal on Saturday - almost 75 years after he served in World War II.
Manny Frockt played a crucial role in deceiving the Nazis as a member of the once-secret 'Ghost Army', which used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and fake radio transmissions to confuse and mislead their opponents.
According to a report by ABC affiliate WPBF, Frockt was presented with the medal by Florida Congressman Brian Mast, who is himself a military veteran.
Speaking about the Ghost Army, Mast said: "Their unit was intentionally placed to be observed as a real unit, to be observed as a real and viable threat meant to draw in the Axis attackers, and who was their backup to save them from incoming aircraft or from artillery fire or from snipers who would approach or from any other threat? It was selfless work."
"I'm proud to be a part of that very small portion of what we owe you, sir, and I couldn't be more proud that you'll be presented with the Congressional Gold Medal," the Congressman added to Frockt as he presented him with his award.
Per WPBF, there are only 10 surviving members of the Ghost Army still alive. During WWII, the secretive unit had over 1,100 members. After landing at Normandy on D-Day, they proceed to spread doubt and confusion among Nazi forces by impersonating other units via an array of misdirection techniques. In total, they staged over 20 battlefield deceptions.
NBC affiliate WPTV reported that Frockt and his unit saved between 15,000 to 30,000 American lives with their fearless deceptions.
Speaking about his time in the war, Frockt said: "I faked everything. We had fake airplanes, fake balloons. You name it, I did it."
Frockt's medal comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill in February that awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to Ghost Army soldiers.
Speaking on Saturday, Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Gregg Weiss declared the community "blessed" to have Frockt amongst them.
"A big thank you to those who served, and we are blessed to have Manny Frockt in our community, one of 10 remaining survivors of this unit, and it's a pleasure to be with him today," he said.
