Skip to main content

Scrapbook 1

Seymour Nussenbaum: ​My Life in the Army 2

Scrapbook 1: December 1942 - December 1944

"On January 3, 1944 we received our first indication that we were going to a new camp ... on January 12 we heard definitely that it would be Camp Forrest, Tennessee."

- from Seymour Nussenbaum scrapbook “​My Life in the Army”

scapbook photos of the US capitol

"June 8 - I went to Washington, D.C. in the evening with Santino Governable, a fellow I met in my company. I saw the Capitol, White House, and the Mellon Art Institute. We also visited the Stage Door Canteen, and took some pictures in front of the Capitol."

scapbook photos of trip to bear mountain NY with friends

On furlough from July 15 to 22, 1943, Nussenbaum took a trip to Bear Mountain in New York's Hudson Highlands, and did some fishing in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn.

scrapbook of photos a brochure and clippings

Nussenbaum was stationed at the bivouac at the 2A area from July 23 to August 9, 1943. "We had dry runs in firing the carbine. ... I made marksman!" Nussenbaum was next moved to another area in Fort Meade. "During the last few months of our stay at Fort Meade, we were members of the Thirteenth Corps, but we were not authorized to wear the patch."

photos of friends in the army

"Sandy, Ned Harris, Paul Popkin, and Myself"

army photos  training one with friends and a tank

June 25, 1943, Back from Bivouac Nussenbaum is the man wearing the Fort Meade T-shirt in the second row.

photos of army settings  training

Erecting a gin-pole, a supported pole that uses a pulley or block and tackle on its upper end to lift heavy loads

scrapbook page with christmas card

The news article mentions that the 603rd was making a series of full color posters to be used in camouflage training lectures. Around September 1943, Nussenbaum recalls, "I went over the infiltration course, the combat course, the Nazi village, and countless obstacle courses. This was part of a physical education program."

scrapbook page of camp forrest TN training center

"On January 3, 1944 we received our first indication that we were going to a new camp ... on January 12 we heard definitely that it would be Camp Forrest, Tennessee."

scrapbook page with postcards clippings

"Once at Forrest, it took no time at all for me to get the details thrown at me again. K.P. two days after we got there, and trash details for the rest of the week. That weekend, starting January 22, I got a weekend pass to Chattanooga."

scrapbook page with army telephone directory

"At this time [February 1944] our mission became apparent. We stared working on dummies - tanks, artillery, etc. At first, the dummies were made by the Factory Section which worked on a 24 hour basis. They were made of burlap and wood. Finding these too bulky, dummies of rubber were devised. They were made in great secrecy by a rubber company in Rhode Island and shipped to us."

Please Support Our Ongoing Efforts

The soldiers of The Ghost Army used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and imagination to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe. The Ghost Army Legacy Project is ensuring that these men and their accomplishments are never forgotten.

Give via credit card by clicking the yellow “Donate” button.

Or, send a check to:

Ghost Army Legacy Project
1305 S. Michigan Ave. #1104
Chicago, IL 60605

All donations are tax-deductible!