Shafaq News / On Saturday, gold prices decreased in Baghdad’s markets, while increasing in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region (KRI).
Our correspondent reported that gold prices in the wholesale markets on Baghdad’s Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price per mithqal (equals five grams) for 21-carat gold from Gulf, Turkish, and European sources of 449,000 IQD, with a buying price of 445,000 IQD.
Both selling and buying prices per mithqal of 21-carat Iraqi gold reached 419,000 IQD.
Regarding gold prices at jewelry shops, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold was 450,000 – 460,000 IQD, while one mithqal of Iraqi gold was sold at 420,000 – 430,000 IQD.
In Erbil, the selling price per mithqal of 24-carat gold was 535,000 IQD, 21-carat gold was sold for 470,000 IQD, and 18-carat gold was sold for 405,000 IQD.
Gold rate today: On account of three interest rate cuts in 2024 by the US Federal Reserve, gold price on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) touched a new high of ₹66,943 per 10 gm last week. However, profit-boking soon triggered and the yellow metal price retraced more than ₹1,000 per gm and ended at ₹65,870 level on Friday. After ending below the ₹66,000 mark, the MCX gold rate logged a 5.30 percent rise in MTD time whereas spot gold price ascended to the tune of 6 percent in the international market.
According to commodity market experts, gold prices have retraced from recent highs due to the profit-booking. The yellow metal still possesses some steam and it may soon touch the ₹67,500 mark on MCX. In the international market, they predicted a $2,230 per ounce level for the precious yellow metal. Likewise, they predicted MCX silver rates to touch ₹78,000 per kg level whereas $28 per ounce in the international market.
US Fed rate cut in focus
Expecting a bounce back in gold prices, Shashank Pal, Chief Business Officer at PL Wealth Management said, “I believe gold prices will maintain their strength throughout 2024. The much-anticipated US Fed rate cuts are expected to inject further momentum into gold prices. This is because the US Fed rate cut means easy money, which means more inflation, and gold is supposed to be a hedge against inflation.”
The PL Wealth Management expert went on to add that factors such as sluggish economic growth, geopolitical uncertainties, and upcoming elections in over 50 countries are likely to drive investors towards safer investment options, including gold.
Speaking on gold price retracement from a lifetime high, Anuj Gupta, Head of Commodity & Currency at HDFC Securities said, “Traditionally, gold prices witness correction after touching record highs as bullion traders or say jewelers book profit at higher levels. They do this to maintain the ₹1500 to ₹2,000 per 10 gm retail market premium. When the yellow metal ascended to a new peak of ₹66,943 per 10 gm level, retail bullion market premium in gold and silver diminished, which forced jewelers and bullion market traders to book profit in their respective gold and silver positions in the future market.”
“I believe that demand for gold at the central banks across the world and soaring crude oil prices may limit this correction in gold and silver prices. Around 2,100 tons of physical gold have been bought by various central banks in the world in the last two years and this figure is expected to further rise in the short to medium term. So, one should maintain a buy-on-dips strategy in gold and silver maintaining stop loss at ₹64,500 and ₹72,000 levels respectively,” said Anuj Gupta adding, “In the international market, the silver rate today is in $23.80 to $28 per ounce range whereas gold rate today is in $2,140 to $2,230 per ounce range.”
Key trigger for gold rate today
Advising gold and silver investors to remain vigilant about the US dollar rates, Shashank Pal of PL Wealth Management said, “Immediate trigger will be how inflation is cooling in the United States as well as India. Since gold is dollar-denominated, the value of gold decreases if there is strength in the US dollar index. So investors need to watch what the dollar index is doing. Geopolitical influx, continued buying by central banks & governments, global as well as local demand-supply scenario is the other immediate triggers that can dictate gold prices in the near term.”
“The F&O trade volumes for gold globally too are significantly up vis a vis same period last year. It can be a good bet for the next 12-18 months horizon. Expect an 8-10% further upside from current levels in that period with intermittent volatility,” Pal concluded.
Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts, and broking companies, not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
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Team USA’s Mystique Ro won skeleton gold Thursday at Mount Van Hoevenberg during the IBSF World Cup.
(Provided photo — IBSF)
LAKE PLACID — Team USA’s Mystique Ro recorded her first-ever World Cup win in the women’s skeleton event on Thursday, the opening day of the IBSF World Cup, at Mount Van Hoevenberg.
The win marked the first World Cup victory by an American skeleton athlete in eight years. Ro won her first-ever World Cup race in a two-run time of 1 minute, 50.35 seconds.
Team USA’s Katie Uhlaender just missed the podium, placing fourth in 1:50.61. Sara Roderick was ninth in 1:51.24 while Michelle Toukan placed 26th.
Belgium’s Kim Meylemans finished in second place in 1:50.37 and the Netherlands’ Kimberley Bos was third in 1:50.55.
Bos secured the women’s skeleton World Cup overall title for the second time since 2022. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist scored 1,570 points in the eight races of the season. Meylemans came second overall with 1,364 points. Italy’s Valentina Margaglio finished in third place overall with 1,270 points after a sixth place on Thursday.
Team USA’s Austin Florian competes in Thursday’s men’s skeleton event during the IBSF World Cup at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. He finished in 10th place but became the first Pan-American champion in IBSF history. The World Cup continues today with the two-woman and four-man bobsled events.(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
Ro was eighth overall in the standings with 1,175 points, Uhlaender finished 15th with 816 and Roderick placed 23rd with 534.
At the same time Thursday, Ro became the first athlete in IBSF history to secure the title of Pan-American Champion in women’s skeleton, as the season finale also counted as a continental championship for the athletes from North, Central and South America in a race-in-race classification. Pan-American silver was secured by Uhlaender, while bronze went to Roderick.
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Men’s skeleton
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This photo from Thursday’s men’s skeleton event during the IBSF World Cup at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid shows, from left, Amedeo Bagnis, Italy, bronze; Zheng Yin, China, gold; and Marcus Wyatt, Great Britain, silver.
(Provided photo — IBSF)
On the men’s side, Austin Florian led U.S. sliders with a 10th-place finish in a two-run time of 1:48.32.
Florian, a Clarkson University graduate from Southington, Connecticut, got off to a rough start in his opening run, dropping him to 16th place, heading into the second run. However, he recorded the sixth-fastest second run to place 10th.
“It was snowing and it tends to make the ice a little sticky,” he said. “In the groove, I kind of got stood up and the sled kind of held me back and I got off balance. I just made one critical mistake down low and it cost me. The second run I fixed those. I had a pretty good run and I was happy with it.”
Team USA was rounded out by Daniel Barefoot in 16th place in 1:48.96 and Hunter Williams in 23rd at 1:49.57.
China’s Zheng Yin was first in 1:46.97, Great Britain’s Marcus Wyatt was second in 1:47.01 and Italy’s Amedeo Bagnis was third in 1:47.34.
China’s Zheng Yin competes in Thursday’s men’s skeleton World Cup event in Lake Placid.
(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)
In the overall standings, Great Britain’s Matt Weston, who placed fourth on Thursday, overtook the previous leader, Germany’s Christopher Grotheer, to win the overall World Cup victory. Weston closed out the season with 1,523 points while Grotheer had 1,494. Yin placed third overall with 1,453 points.
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych — who was a guest speaker at Tuesday’s memorial service in the Olympic Center for USA Luge Marketing Manager Dmitry Feld, who died Jan. 10 at age 68 — celebrated his best World Cup result in Lake Placid in fourth place — tied with Weston. The 25-year-old was just 0.20 seconds off a first ever World Cup podium finish for Ukraine in the sport of skeleton.
Florian was the top U.S. men’s slider, finishing the season in 15th place overall with 592 points. He capped off the season with three back-to-back top-10 finishes.
“It’s been a pretty good season,” Florian said. “I’ve had some top results on tracks that have historically been an issue for me. But I’m pushing some of the fastest in the world right now and driving some of the best I’ve ever had. I’m pretty happy with the season.”
Barefoot placed 21st overall with 499 points and Hunter Williams was 32nd with 150.
On Thursday, Florian became the first Pan-American champion in IBSF history. As with the European Championships, the final of the 2023/2024 BMW IBSF World Cup also counted as a continental championship for athletes from North, Central and South America in a race-in-race classification. Barefoot secured silver in the men’s skeleton ahead of Williams, who took the bronze.
The IBSF World Cup continued on Friday with the women’s monobob event and two-man bobsled. Today will be the two-woman and the four-man event, starting at 10 a.m.
(Editor/Publisher Andy Flynn contributed to this report.)
Gold remains a significant commodity in Nigeria, reflecting both the nation’s economic health and the global market’s fluctuations.
As of March 23rd, 2024, the gold prices per gram in Nigeria have been subject to various factors, including global demand, currency exchange rates, and local market conditions.
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about today’s gold prices in Nigeria.
What is the price of gold per gram in Nigeria today?
As of March 23rd, 2024, the gold prices per gram in Nigeria are as follows:
24K Gold: ₦112,281.44
22K Gold: ₦102,849.80
21K Gold: ₦98,246.26
18K Gold: ₦84,211.08
14K Gold: ₦65,684.64
12K Gold: ₦56,140.72
10K Gold: ₦46,821.36
9K Gold: ₦42,105.54
8K Gold: ₦37,389.72
How are these prices determined?
The prices of gold per gram in Nigeria are influenced by the international gold market, the USD to NGN exchange rate, and local market dynamics. The rates are updated frequently to reflect the live spot gold price.
What could affect the future prices of gold in Nigeria?
Several factors could influence the future prices of gold in Nigeria, including:
Global Economic Stability: Economic downturns or stability can significantly impact gold prices.
Currency Fluctuations: Changes in the value of the Nigerian Naira against the US dollar can affect gold prices.
Supply and Demand: The balance between gold production and consumer demand can cause price changes.
Investor Behavior: Investor decisions based on market conditions can lead to price volatility.
Where can I buy gold in Nigeria?
Gold can be purchased from licensed jewelers, gold traders, and financial institutions offering precious metal investments. It’s crucial to ensure that you’re dealing with reputable sources to avoid counterfeit products.
Gold Price Table (Per Gram in NGN)
Karat
Price (₦)
24K
112,281.44
22K
102,849.80
21K
98,246.26
18K
84,211.08
14K
65,684.64
12K
56,140.72
10K
46,821.36
9K
42,105.54
8K
37,389.72
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to check with local gold traders or stay tuned to Okay.ng.
I have focused on the coming secular shift in Gold and precious metals because it has massive implications over the coming years and into the 2030s.
However, I will discuss the cyclical potential of the current move in Gold today. With a strong close above $2100, Gold is in a new cyclical bull market.
The chart below notes the historical cyclical bull moves in Gold.
Other than the first cyclical bull (which did not begin in earnest until late 1971) and the most recent, every cyclical bull lasted roughly three years, give or take a few months.
The cyclical bulls were far more powerful and volatile in the 1970s than in the 2000s.
Gold’s breakout from a super bullish cup and handle pattern, which we have written about since 2021, triggers a measured upside target of $3000/oz.
In researching historical and similar breakouts, we found that the market at hand moved from its measured upside target to its logarithmic target in six to 12 months.
Gold’s logarithmic target is around $4000/oz. That equates to a 117% cyclical bull market from the October 2023 low or 146% from the October 2022 low.
However, a breakout from a 13-year pattern around all-time highs will likely produce a more explosive move to the upside.
I do not expect the move to be as big as those in the 1970s (464% and 718%), but I do expect it to surpass the moves in the 2000s. A 200% gain from the 2022 low takes Gold to nearly $5000, while a 200% gain from the 2023 low takes Gold to $5500.
I am looking at the end of 2026 as a potential peak for the cyclical bull. That is four years from the 2022 low or three years from the 2023 low.
Gold fulfilling this potential requires a recession and downturn and strongly outperforming the conventional 60/40 portfolio. Gold has broken out against Bonds but has yet to against Stocks.
At present, Gold is only days past, potentially its most significant breakout in 50 years. Should the breakout hold, we should expect gold stocks, especially junior gold stocks, to dramatically outperform Gold over the next year or two.
To learn the stocks we own and intend to buy, with at least 5x upside potential in the new bull market, consider learning about our premium service.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Gold price tumbled Rs 875 to Rs 66,575 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday amid weak trends in global markets, according to HDFC Securities.
The precious metal had settled at Rs 67,450 per 10 grams in the previous trade.
In addition, silver also plunged Rs 760 to Rs 76,990 per kg against the previous close of Rs 77,750 per kg.
“Spot gold prices (24 carats) in the Delhi markets are trading at Rs 66,575 per 10 grams, down by Rs 875 from the previous day,” Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst at HDFC Securities, said.
In the overseas markets, spot gold at Comex was trading at USD 2,167 per ounce, down USD 35 from the previous day’s level.
“Gold prices are down nearly 2 per cent from their all-time hit yesterday weighed by profit-booking/ long liquidation, and a sharp rebound in the dollar index, following events like rate cuts by the Swiss National Bank, better than expected PMI and housing data from the US,” Pranav Mer, VP, Research (Commodity & Currency) at BlinkX and JM Financial, said.
Silver was also trading lower at USD 24.45 per ounce. In the previous trade, it had closed at USD 25.51 per ounce.
Comex spot gold has support at USD 2,145/2,130 and resistance at USD 2,178/2,206 per ounce.
“Gold prices experienced a correction over the last two days, influenced by a rise in dollar index and profit booking following a strong bullish rally in March.
“Despite this correction, the overall outlook for gold remains positive.
However, some volatility and further correction may be expected in the near term,” Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities, said.
For most of his life, Bernie Bluestein was not allowed to say anything about what he did during World War II in Western Europe.
Mr. Bluestein was a sophomore at Cleveland School of the Arts in 1943 when he left to join the U.S. Army. He then trained in a secret unit that landed at Normandy, France, shortly after D-Day in June 1944.
“What we did is we attracted the Germans’ attention so that the real units could do whatever they had to do elsewhere,” Mr. Bluestein, age 100, said in an interview.
As a private first class serving in the 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion, he created fake shoulder patches that his fellow soldiers wore on their uniforms to impersonate different elements of an infantry division. He also painted truck bumpers to falsely display markings of Army units that were actually elsewhere.
In his final mission, Mr. Bluestein said, the ruses devised by the roughly 360 soldiers of his battalion forced German commanders to spread their defenses thin in eastern France. That, he said, allowed the U.S. Army’s 90th Division — which was actually 10 miles north of the 603rd — to cross the Rhine River with less resistance.
“We saved the lives of about 30,000 soldiers,” Mr. Bluestein said.
The 603rd and similar units came to be known as the “Ghost Army,” which numbered about 1,100 troops. Together, they inflated rubber tanks, created fake airfields, blasted the sounds of troops marching from speakers placed on trucks and designed other diversions to fool German soldiers.
The mission of these lightly armed soldiers, who were a precursor to the Army’s current psychological warfare units, was officially declassified only in 1996.
On Thursday, Mr. Bluestein and two other members of the Ghost Army — Seymour Nussenbaum, age 100, and John Christman, 99 — received the Congressional Gold Medal on Capitol Hill before a crowd of more than 600 that included family members and friends.
Many in attendance wore lapel pins depicting a shield with a cartoon ghost that has orange lightning bolts coming from its left hand, the unofficial insignia of a unit whose mission went unacknowledged for more than 50 years.
Only seven of the original 1,100 soldiers of the Ghost Army are believed to survive.
Mike Bagby flew from Birmingham, Ala., to attend the ceremony in honor of his father, Wilbur Wright Bagby, who served as an officer in the Ghost Army but died in 1992, before his unit’s activities were declassified.
“He took it to the grave with him,” his son said. “He just didn’t want to talk about it.”
“The way I found out about it was I hired a guy to research his history while he was in the war, just to get a timeline. And the researcher said ‘Wow. Your dad was in the Ghost Army, huh?’ I said, ‘Really?’ I had no idea.”
Mr. Bagby said his father left the service shortly after the war and worked as a structural and mechanical engineer, mostly in the coal industry.
“He had a temper like a match head, No. 1, but he had an amazing vocabulary and did the New York Times Sunday crossword in 15 minutes,” Mr. Bagby said. “But all of his conversational language surrounded four letters.”
“This was a unit of nothing but a bunch of liars,” he joked. “You know, they presented themselves as a lot of different armies.”
He said that in a letter to his mother during the war, his father wrote, “I’ve worn more insignias than most people in the whole army.”
Getting the Congressional Gold Medal for the soldiers took years of work, much of it initiated by Rick Beyer, a film producer. He learned about the unit 19 years ago from a friend’s colleague who said someone should make a documentary about them.
“It took us four sessions of Congress to do it, and it took a whole team,” Mr. Beyer said in an interview. “We had 40 or 50 people who were volunteer lobbyists. They were emailing. They were calling. They were visiting offices in person. Covid hit in the middle of that, but we readjusted our way of doing things and kept going. And by God, we made it happen.”
In a small theater off Emancipation Hall, where military and congressional leaders greeted the veterans before the ceremony, Mr. Beyer reflected on the enormous effort coming to fruition.
“These men, these three guys and the four who are watching at home, and the thousand or so who are no longer with us, are finally being honored the way they should be for what they did in World War II.”
Mr. Beyer, who co-wrote a book about the Ghost Army and produced a documentary about it, said it had been difficult to see so many survivors pass away.
“I always say that the Ghost Army is turning into an army of ghosts, but at least we have done this,” he said. “We’ve stuck this flag in the hill while some of them are still alive. And I think that’s important.”
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What is the price of gold today?
The price of gold traded at $2,174.65 per troy ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 1.51% since yesterday’s gold price per ounce and up 5.24% from the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $2,162.65 per ounce. The highest gold spot price in the last 24 hours: $2,208.12 per ounce.
Gold spot prices
XAU/USD is the label for finding the spot gold price traded in U.S. dollars. In this case, gold (XAU) is traded against the dollar, and the price represents the cost of one (troy) ounce of gold in USD. But there are other foreign exchange markets, such as XAU/EUR for trading in euros and XAU/GBP for trading in British pounds.
The spot gold price represents the price at which gold can be exchanged and delivered, and prices are typically quoted in gold price per troy ounce in U.S. dollars. But prices can also be quoted per gram and kilo. It’s worth noting that a troy ounce is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.
Gold price chart
The chart below shows how the spot price of gold is trending over the year. The data is as of 9 a.m. ET and doesn’t display intraday highs or lows.
Year to date, gold is up 5.24% from the beginning of the year, as of 9 a.m. ET. The 52-week intraday high reached $2,222.14 on March 21, 2024, and the 52-week intraday low dropped to $1,810.47 on Oct. 6, 2023.
Remember that the spot price of gold is quoted in real time and represents the current price at which gold can be bought or sold for immediate delivery. For most investors, the spot price usually differs from the price they’ll pay or receive when they decide to purchase or sell their gold.
For example, buying physical gold involves overheads like storage costs and insurance.
When trading physical gold, the difference between the buying and selling price, known as the spread, can eat into returns. Dealers often incorporate their markups and transaction fees within these spreads, which means the actual price an investor pays might be higher than the current market rate, while the selling price they receive might be lower.
While gold certificates, gold exchange-traded funds and gold trusts offer more liquidity and are easier to manage than physical gold, they come with their own risks. These investment vehicles might only sometimes match the performance of the spot price of gold due to management fees and potential discrepancies in tracking.
In essence, while the spot price provides a general benchmark for the value of gold, the actual returns and costs an investor encounters differ based on the medium of purchase and the specifics of the investment.
Investing in gold
Buying physical gold involves overheads like storage costs and insurance.
When trading physical gold, the difference between the buying and selling price, known as the spread, can eat into returns. Dealers often incorporate their markups and transaction fees within these spreads, which means the actual price an investor pays might be higher than the current market rate, while the selling price they receive might be lower.
While gold certificates, gold exchange-traded funds and gold trusts offer more liquidity and are easier to manage than physical gold, they come with their own risks. These investment vehicles might only sometimes match the performance of the spot price of gold due to management fees and potential discrepancies in tracking.
In essence, while the spot price provides a general benchmark for the value of gold, the actual returns and costs an investor encounters differ based on the medium of purchase and the specifics of the investment.
Precious metals spot prices
Precious metals have long served as investment vehicles and industrial commodities. Like gold, the spot prices of silver, platinum and palladium fluctuate based on various market, economic and geopolitical factors.
Silver spot prices
Silver possesses both monetary and industrial value. While it’s used as a hedge against economic volatility, it’s also crucial in the electronics, automotive and medical industries. Its dual-use nature can lead to different market dynamics compared to gold.
The price of silver opened at $24.70 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 2.74% since the previous day’s silver price per ounce and up 3.23% since the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last day: $24.41 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $25.40 per ounce.
Platinum spot prices
Platinum is another precious metal that commands attention. Rarer than gold and silver, its primary use is in automotive catalytic converters, which help reduce harmful emissions. Given the push for cleaner automotive technologies, the demand dynamics for platinum can vary, influencing its spot price.
The price of platinum opened at $904.10 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 1.44% since yesterday’s platinum price per ounce and down 8.47% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $901.05 per ounce. The highest platinum spot price in the last 24 hours: $914.48 per ounce.
Palladium spot prices
Palladium, like platinum, is pivotal in the automotive industry for catalytic converters. In recent times, there has been a surge in palladium demand due to stricter emission standards worldwide. Its scarcity and rising industrial demand have led to significant price volatility.
The price of palladium is $1,003.25 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 1.52% since yesterday’s palladium price per ounce and down 8.76% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $989.54 per ounce. The highest palladium spot price in the last 24 hours: $1,019.81 per ounce.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Gold can be highly volatile and subject to strong short-term price fluctuations.
Whether it’s a good time to buy gold depends on various factors, including your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, the broader economic outlook, and forecasts about the gold market.
Historically, many people view gold as a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. Others see it as a store of value during economic downturns. At the same time, some may find diversifying a portfolio of stocks and bonds useful, given its low correlation to both assets.
“If you look at gold’s performance historically, it’s the kind of asset that should perform well through uncertainty, as it has done in five out of the last seven recessions,” said Joseph Cavatoni, chief market strategist for North America at the World Gold Council. “For people looking for a store of value and a portfolio diversifier, gold has a strong track record of delivering those qualities.”
Gold’s value tends to fluctuate based on economic, geopolitical and market factors, so the answer to this question depends on the measured period. It’s also difficult to pinpoint the direction of future price trends ahead of time.
From the beginning of the year to March 22, 2024, the price of gold rose from $2,066.32 per troy ounce to $2,174.65, representing a 5.24% increase.
A secret American military unit known for its deception and trickery during World War II was awarded the highest honor, a Congressional Gold Medal, on Thursday in Washington, D.C.
The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the “Ghost Army,” used things like inflatable tanks, sound effects, costumes and acting to accomplish their missions in Europe.
“The actions of the Ghost Army helped change the course of the war for thousands of American and Allied troops and contributed to the liberation of a continent from a terrible evil,” Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported.
Only seven members of the Ghost Army are still alive, the AP reported, and three attended the ceremony in Washington: 100-year-old Bernard Bluestein of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; 99-year-old John Christman of Leesburg, New Jersey; and 100-year-old Seymour Nussenbaum of Monroe Township, New Jersey.
What was the Ghost Army?
After the war, information on the Ghost Army was kept secret for more than 50 years until it was declassified in 1996.
The military unit consisted of around 1,000 men and 82 officers under Colonel Harry L. Reeder.
Despite their relatively small numbers, the Ghost Army was able to simulate around 30,000 men, or two divisions, by using radio, sonic and visual deception, according to the National World War II Museum.
What is the Congressional Gold Medal?
The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest award and the highest civilian honor given in the U.S., along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
It is awarded by Congress and is the “highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, institutions or groups,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s website.
