Medal of Honor museum
This is one of the archive’s principal institutions for understanding the award itself, the values associated with it, and the ways recipient stories are interpreted for a broad public audience. Named exhibit relationships are published separately below only when supported by current museum evidence.
Historical context
The National Medal of Honor Museum opened in Arlington, Texas, in 2025 as a purpose-built national institution devoted to the Medal of Honor. Its galleries place the award within the larger lives of recipients, the people who served beside them, and the communities shaped by their service. The museum combines original material, immersive interpretation, educational programs, and a national remembrance mission.
Researchers can use the museum as a comparative starting point for medal design, award history, recipient biography, public memory, and modern exhibit practice. Its galleries are especially useful when read alongside the archive’s full recipient citations and source records.
Collection guide
The following highlights summarize the strongest verified reasons to include this institution in the archive. They are a planning guide, not a promise that every object is on view at all times.
Evolution and meaning of the Medal of Honor
Recipient-centered galleries and personal narratives
More Than a Medal interpretation
Education and remembrance programs
Moments of Action: New Market Heights, Guadalcanal, Chosin Reservoir and award ceremonies
More Than a Medal: biographical images, correspondence and personal artifacts
From Rails to Rotors: Huey helicopter and the experiences of its recipients
Conversations: recipient interview experiences
Medal Exhibits: the evolving medal, delayed recognition and named recipient narratives
Verified connections
Recipient exhibit
The museum's Medal Exhibits overview identifies Vernon Baker as a featured recipient.
Record: Featured Recipient: Vernon Baker
Verified 2026-10-06 · Current, display status not specified
Do not characterize this as permanent unless the museum explicitly confirms permanence.
Recipient exhibit
The museum's exhibits page identifies William Kyle Carpenter among recipients interpreted in More Than a Medal.
Record: More Than a Medal
Verified 2026-10-06 · Current, display status not specified
Relationship establishes exhibit interpretation, not possession of Carpenter's personal Medal of Honor.
Correspondence
The museum describes letters from Donald Call among the correspondence presented in its Letters Home interpretation.
Record: More Than a Medal — Letters Home
Verified 2026-10-06 · Current, display status not specified
The relationship intentionally does not claim museum ownership or original-object provenance beyond the official exhibit statement.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Roy Benavidez in its interactive life-history exhibit.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Clinton Romesha in its photographs and artifacts.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Donald Call in its letter-home material.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Audie Murphy in its biographical snapshots.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Eugene Fluckey in its biographical snapshots.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Jack Jacobs in its interactive conversations.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient interpretation
The official More Than a Medal gallery description identifies Melvin Morris in its interactive conversations.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Milton Holland in its New Market Heights historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features James Gardiner in its New Market Heights historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Christian Fleetwood in its New Market Heights historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Alexander Kelly in its New Market Heights historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Douglas Munro in its Guadalcanal historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Mitchell Paige in its Guadalcanal historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Don Faith in its Chosin Reservoir historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Thomas Hudner in its Chosin Reservoir historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Hector Cafferata in its Chosin Reservoir historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Robert McGovern in its Arlington National Cemetery historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Ross McGinnis in its Arlington National Cemetery historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Frank Crilley in its White House ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Julien Gaujot in its White House ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Sammy Davis in its White House ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Keith Ware in its Nuremberg award ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Lucian Adams in its Nuremberg award ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Battlefield multimedia interpretation
The Moments of Action experience explicitly features Russell Dunham in its Nuremberg award ceremonies historical interpretation.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum’s exhibits overview specifically refers to Michael Novosel in its interpretive programming.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum’s exhibits overview specifically refers to Gary Wetzel in its interpretive programming.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum’s exhibits overview specifically refers to Freddie Stowers in its interpretive programming.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Documented personal artifacts
The museum’s published More Than a Medal artifact feature documents objects or personal stories associated with Lance Sijan.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Documented personal artifacts
The museum’s published More Than a Medal artifact feature documents objects or personal stories associated with William Carpenter.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Documented personal artifacts
The museum’s published More Than a Medal artifact feature documents objects or personal stories associated with Clinton Romesha.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies Marcus Haskell in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies Daniel Sullivan in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies Bernard Fisher in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies Douglas MacArthur in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies Vernon Baker in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit reference
The museum identifies John Chapman in its Medal Exhibits overview.
Verified 2026-10-08 · Current, display status not specified
Named on official museum exhibit page. Exhibit content may rotate; no claim of permanent physical display.
Recipient exhibit
The museum names Tommy Norris among virtual-interview participants in its exhibit.
Record: Conversations virtual interview
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Specific institution or recipient primary source. Custody and current public display are distinct claims.
Original Medal of Honor
The original William Bensinger Medal of Honor is on a documented two-year loan from McComb Public Library to the National Medal of Honor Museum, beginning March 19, 2026 and ending March 31, 2028. Exact current gallery availability requires museum confirmation.
Record: McComb Public Library loan from March 19, 2026 through March 31, 2028
Verified 2026-10-10 · Temporary
Direct item provenance is sourced. Physical ownership and regular visitor viewing are separate statements.
Original Medal of Honor
The National Medal of Honor Museum directly identifies Hiroshi Miyamura’s original Medal of Honor and official award certificate as objects visitors can view, with personal family correspondence in a related exhibit.
Record: Miyamura medal and certificate in National Medal of Honor Museum
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Direct item provenance is sourced. Physical ownership and regular visitor viewing are separate statements.
Correspondence
Museum exhibit materials document Miyamura’s personal letters and returned correspondence, interpreted alongside his Korean War service and family life.
Record: Miyamura personal correspondence and POW letters
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Direct item provenance is sourced. Physical ownership and regular visitor viewing are separate statements.
Original Medal of Honor
The U.S. Coast Guard documented a six-month loan of Douglas Munro’s original medal to the National Medal of Honor Museum beginning January 2025. The initial loan is historical, not proof of current custody after its intended duration.
Record: 2025 six-month Coast Guard loan of Douglas Munro original medal
Verified 2026-10-10 · Historical
Time-scoped original medal loan, NOT counted as confirmed current permanent holding.
Original Medal of Honor
The U.S. Army documents that the National Medal of Honor Museum collection includes the original award presented to Jacob Parrott, recognized as the first Medal of Honor recipient. Current public position may change as exhibits rotate.
Record: Jacob Parrott original Medal of Honor
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Based on direct documentation; artifact ownership and regular public exhibition are not assumed to be identical.
Uniform
The U.S. Army illustrated and described Kyle Carpenter combat uniform in the National Medal of Honor Museum during its March 2025 opening. This identifies a specific recipient artifact, with rotating display availability not guaranteed.
Record: Kyle Carpenter combat uniform
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Source dated March 2025; institutional holding/exhibit identified, availability may rotate.
Personal artifacts
The U.S. Army illustrated and described Bruce McCandless battle-surviving history book in the National Medal of Honor Museum during its March 2025 opening. This identifies a specific recipient artifact, with rotating display availability not guaranteed.
Record: Bruce McCandless battle-surviving history book
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Source dated March 2025; institutional holding/exhibit identified, availability may rotate.
Weapon or equipment
The U.S. Army illustrated and described Patrick Brady UH-1 Huey helicopter “Nancy Lee” in the National Medal of Honor Museum during its March 2025 opening. This identifies a specific recipient artifact, with rotating display availability not guaranteed.
Record: Patrick Brady UH-1 Huey helicopter “Nancy Lee”
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Source dated March 2025; institutional holding/exhibit identified, availability may rotate.
Personal artifacts
The U.S. Army documents the engraved lighter used during the Vietnam War associated with Medal of Honor recipient George Everette "Bud" Day at the National Medal of Honor Museum in its March 2025 reporting. Exhibitions and availability can change.
Record: George “Bud” Day engraved lighter
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Specific material artifact corroborated by March 2025 U.S. Army report. Do not promise permanent or currently on-view placement.
Documents
The U.S. Army documents the original draft registration card displayed in the March 2025 exhibit associated with Medal of Honor recipient Alvin Cullum York at the National Medal of Honor Museum in its March 2025 reporting. Exhibitions and availability can change.
Record: Alvin C. York draft registration card
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Specific material artifact corroborated by March 2025 U.S. Army report. Do not promise permanent or currently on-view placement.
Uniform
The U.S. Army documents the green beret seen in the March 2025 gallery imagery associated with Medal of Honor recipient Roy Perez Benavidez at the National Medal of Honor Museum in its March 2025 reporting. Exhibitions and availability can change.
Record: Roy Benavidez Green Beret
Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified
Specific material artifact corroborated by March 2025 U.S. Army report. Do not promise permanent or currently on-view placement.
Personal artifacts
A March 2025 U.S. Army feature photographed and identified Edward A. Carter Jr.’s shadow box on display at the National Medal of Honor Museum. This is dated exhibit evidence and does not independently certify continuous display in 2026.
Record: Edward A. Carter Jr. shadow box
Verified 2026-10-11 · Historical
Official Army photographic evidence supports the named personal-artifact display on the documented 2025 date.
Collection focus
U.S. Army · U.S. Marine Corps
World War I · World War II · War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)