The Trackpads Reference Collection
Courage beyond measure.
The people, actions, and stories behind America's highest award for valor.
Search the archive by name, unit, place, or citation text, then move from the citation to the story, the battle, and the wider military history that gives it context.
Discover the people
A different pair is selected each time you return to Archive Home. Open a recipient record first; related Beyond the Call stories and audio appear there when available.
Featured from the archive
Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was…
2009-09-08
Featured from the archive
Mogadishu, Somalia
Master Sergeant Gordon, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Master Sergeant Gordon's…
1993-10-03
Explore the collection
1,518 profiles in this archive
422 profiles in this archive
126 profiles in this archive
468 profiles in this archive
145 profiles in this archive
257 profiles in this archive
Major wars are only part of the story. Discover smaller expeditions, interim periods, and rescue actions →
The action in context
Linked recipient records are reviewed selections, not complete historical award totals. Each relationship preserves its battle, campaign, or unit context.
Citations. Stories. Perspective.
The citation is the beginning. Go deeper with the written stories, companion audio, and military-history reading.
The people deserve more than a name. The history deserves a source.
The hero is an illustrative medal composition from the approved design. Story and battle images are cropped Trackpads editorial artwork, not verified portraits or archival photographs. The early Army medal is a representative design, not an individual recipient’s physical award. Source-specific notes remain on recipient pages. Original General Order comparisons are a separate, pending verification step.
