Marion ‘Pat’ Pastoric, a Chester Township resident who died in 2003, was a member of the Ghost Army, a unit of American soldiers that used deception to help defeat Nazi Germany during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the unit during a ceremony that took place on March 21 in Washington D.C. (Submitted)
It wasn’t until 1996, more than five decades after its successful efforts during WWII, that information regarding the existence of a secretive Ghost Army was made known to the public.
The late Marion ‘Pat’ Pastoric, who lived in Chester Township, served in the U.S. Army’s clandestine unit credited with saving thousands of American lives. Recently members of his family traveled to Washington D.C., for a ceremony during which the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the veterans for their significant impact in helping draw the war to a close.
The mission of the Ghost Army, comprised of 1,100 specifically chosen soldiers and officers, was to create and use visual, sound and broadcasting elements to deceive German forces. Inflatable rubber tanks, phony command centers, speakers blaring sound effects and other fake elements tricked enemy forces in multiple ways.
For example, troops effectively simulated the appearance of a unit much larger than its actual size and also
steered enemies away from key sites where American soldiers were positioned.
Pastoric, an industrial designer, was among the artists, actors, sound technicians and other creative
individuals chosen to produce the dummy equipment and assist with implementing effective strategies.
His daughter, Pam Pastoric of Willoughby, says that she and the rest of the family were completely unaware of her father’s role until after his passing in 2003. Other than noting he wore camouflage, drove a jeep and spent time in Europe, details of his war-time work were vague.
After watching a television documentary focusing on the Ghost Army Pam and her mother began wondering if he was involved. Some of his sketches brought home after the war featured scenes from places where the Ghost Army had operated.
“Things started coming to the forefront,” she recalled. “We started to realize what he was involved
with. I remember watching it and scribbling some notes that went along with photos I had. Not all of the answers were apparent.”
Helping to pull loose ends together was Rick Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, who eventually contacted them to gather more information.
Pam says that she’s honored to have known some of her father’s Ghost Army counterparts.
“Dad and Bernie (Bluestein) were graduates of the Cleveland Institute of Art,” she said. “Most of these men were recruited out of art schools for their unique talents, as painting and designing that were immensely useful in camouflage…and (for) use in their deceptions.”
Bluestein, now 100, was one of the few surviving Ghost Army soldiers able to attend the
ceremony in the nation’s capital.
In a March 13, 2024 article appearing in the Harper College News Bureau, Bluestein states “We never thought of it being an astounding thing. But now, it becomes an astounding thing. We sacrificed by putting ourselves next to inflatable tanks and saying, ‘Hey, shoot at us!’ We saved 30,000 lives, I think the estimate is.”
Surprised that her father had taken part in such a dangerous endeavor, Pam says that he was just “the sweetest guy.” After graduating from art school he worked for NASA, the former Bailey Meter Controls in Wickliffe and Antenna Specialists.
As years went by when he grew a beard and his hair turned grey he enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the family and other children in Chester Township.
Modestly describing her heroic father’s life, Pam said “I always like to say my dad was Santa, lived in Chesterland, had five kids and drove a Chevy.”
When the bill authorizing the meritorious award for the Ghost Army was signed by President Biden in 2022, Beyer stated “I am thrilled that these deserving, brave and intrepid warriors of deception have at last been awarded this high honor…armed with their wits and guiles these men saved lives and helped win the war. The story is an inspiration to all of us.”
More information regarding the Ghost Army and Legacy Project can be found at ghostarmy.org.
Credit: Source link