WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urged his colleagues in the U.S. Senate to pass S. 1256, the Ghost Army Soldier Bill.  This bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Special Headquarters Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company from World War II.  Six of the members who served in these units are from Louisiana.  Sadly, only one of the six Louisiana heroes is alive today: Anderson B. Wilson of Slidell.  Sen. Kennedy called Mr. Wilson this morning to thank him for his service to our country.

“I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Ghost Army Soldier Bill.  This long overdue legislation will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Special Headquarters Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company.  Without their dedication and fearless perseverance, Allied successes at the Battle of the Bulge and the final battles in Po Valley, Italy, would not have been possible,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Because of their bravery, up to 30,000 American soldiers were able to return home alive.”