The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military decoration, personally presented by the President to service members for acts of extraordinary bravery and valor in combat. Each medal tells an incredible story of courage—and now there’s a museum dedicated to preserving them.
In late spring of 2025, the National Medal of Honor Museum opened in Arlington, Texas. The museum highlights Medal of Honor recipients and their inspiring acts of valor in the face of impossible odds. It goes beyond the heroic deeds, exploring the personal sacrifices and lives behind the medals.
Visitors can learn about National Medal of Honor recipients like Gary Beikrich, an Army medic during the Vietnam War who, despite being badly wounded, crawled from soldier to soldier to provide lifesaving aid while under fire during an attack on Camp Dak Seang. The exhibit also shares Beikrich’s struggle with PTSD and his journey to find healing after the war.
Since the Civil War, over 40 million Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, yet fewer than 4,000 have received the Medal of Honor—making each recipient’s story truly extraordinary.
This story was published in America’s Defense Communities magazine. You can read the full publication here.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Honor
