A distinctive, boxy building under construction for the past three years in Arlington’s entertainment district is not another sports arena or entertainment complex. Instead, in stark contrast to its glitzier surroundings, this structure’s solemn purpose is to pay tribute to American heroes who have displayed exceptional courage under fire.
Heroes like Marine Corps 2nd Lt. George Herman O’Brien Jr., who charged through a hail of gunfire during the Korean War, fighting while injured and holding the line for hours. Like Army Sgt. James Marion Logan, who singlehandedly captured a German machine-gunner emplacement during World War II. Like John E. “Jackie” Kilmer, a Navy hospital corpsman who died using his body to shield an injured comrade during the Korean War.
The National Medal of Honor Museum will tell their important stories and those of many others. The much-anticipated national landmark is a tribute to recipients of our nation’s highest and most prestigious military award for valor.
Spc. James C. McCloughan | Army | Vietnam War
Among his heroics as a combat medic in May 1969, the private first class was hit twice by small arms fire and shrapnel from a grenade—bleeding heavily—as he rescued multiple wounded comrades.
Robert Seale, November 2024, Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
After a nationwide search, Arlington, in the Metroplex, was chosen in 2019 as the ideal setting due to its easy accessibility and location near the center of the country. Construction began in March 2022, and the grand opening is set for March 25, National Medal of Honor Day.
“We knew it is important for the museum to be located in an area which already has significant foot traffic and an infrastructure for supporting tourism,” says Cory Crowley, executive vice president of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. “Finally, we knew Texas has a strong and patriotic philanthropic base of generous individuals, families and corporations with whom this project would resonate.”
Through an international competition, renowned architect Rafael Viñoly (who has since died) submitted the winning design for the museum. He reportedly was inspired by the heavy burden carried by members of the U.S. military and envisioned a large slab formation supported by five columns, each representing a branch of the military.
The museum’s dramatic structure follows Viñoly’s vision. Entry is through a spacious open-air rotunda encircled by the five concrete megacolumns that bear the primary building structure 40 feet overhead. Two glass elevators and a double helix of staircases lead to the upper level.
Entry is through a spacious open-air rotunda. Two glass elevators and a double helix of staircases lead to the upper level.
Courtesy National Medal of Honor Museum
A nighttime rendering of the National Medal of Honor Museum designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. The structure rests 40 feet high on five columns, each representing a branch of the military.
Courtesy National Medal of Honor Museum
Inside, visitors will find galleries housing an extensive collection of personal mementos, compelling artifacts (including a fully restored Vietnam-era Huey helicopter), and state-of-the-art exhibits that tell the history of the Medal of Honor and the stories of the heroes who earned it.
Powered by a database of hundreds of hours of recorded video interviews, generative artificial intelligence will enable visitors to hold interactive conversations with medal recipients and hear their stories brought to life.
“Our museum is focused on collecting artifacts that will share the full history of the Medal of Honor, from its beginnings during the Civil War to modern day,” says Greg Waters, director of curatorial affairs. “The collections continue to grow as we bring in additional artifacts that will help us inspire our future visitors with these incredible Medal of Honor stories.”
The more than 100,000-square-foot complex, set on five acres alongside a small lake, includes a tranquil green space for reflection, an event center for memorials and ceremonies, an outdoor amphitheater, and the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute.
Maj. Gen. Patrick Henry Brady | Army | Vietnam War
Maj. Brady used three helicopters in one January 1968 day to evacuate 51 seriously wounded comrades. One aircraft was heavily damaged, and his missions encountered close-range enemy fire and descended through heavy fog and smoke.
Robert Seale, November 2024, Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
The institute, with its 220-seat theater and conference center, will offer outreach programs and educational opportunities for all ages. “It’s one way we can live our mission to inspire, equip and connect people around the values inherent in the Medal of Honor—so everyone can live and lead with honor,” says Anthony Brock, executive director of the institute.
To receive the Medal of Honor, a recipient must have shown exceptional courage in combat, often risking their life beyond the call of duty. The medal is conferred by congressional approval only after an extensive review of supportive evidence and at least two eyewitness accounts documenting the heroic actions.
The president typically presents the medal in a formal White House ceremony before family members and invited guests. The medal is recognizable as a five-pointed star attached to a light blue neck ribbon—with slight variations in design between the military branches.
The Medal of Honor originated during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating the award in 1861 for Navy personnel and in 1862 for Army soldiers to honor “gallantry in action” during combat activities. Congress then established the Medal of Honor as a permanent decoration in 1863.
While more than 41 million Americans have served in the military all-time and more than 2 million have earned Purple Hearts, just 3,547 Medals of Honor have been conferred in more than 160 years. There are 19 double-recipients.
More than 600 of the medals have been awarded posthumously—a testament to the sacrifice required for the honor. Seventy-seven Medals of Honor have been awarded to Texans. Today there are 61 total living recipients across the U.S.
Retired Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha of Minot, North Dakota, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Afghanistan, says his medal was “not given for a day that went easy.”
“It’s a very personal thing, this museum,” the Army veteran says. “It’s not just highlighting the legacy of the medal and the recipients themselves, but it really shows the root and the values of the medal for all. … It will share [the medal’s story] with the American people and constantly remind them that freedom isn’t free.”
Lt. Col. William D. Swenson | Army | Afghanistan War
The captain’s combat team was ambushed in September 2009. His exceptional leadership and stout resistance against the enemy during six hours of continuous fighting rallied his teammates and effectively disrupted the enemy’s assault.
Robert Seale, November 2024, Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
The $210 million museum is primarily funded by generous donations from private individuals, foundations and corporations. Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, a neighbor of the museum, contributed $20 million.
“This is not a war museum or a history museum,” Crowley says. “It is a biography museum, which will leave visitors with the understanding we are all born with the potential to be extraordinary and we all have the opportunity to be heroes in our own communities, families or vocations.”
For O’Brien—who was promoted to major as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and later returned to West Texas to live and work—the medal represented so much more than his own sacrifice.
“This medal’s not mine. It belongs to those kids who never grew up to be grandfathers,” he said before he died in Midland in 2005. “It’s in trust, and I hope I wear it well.”
