A collage of Medal of Honor Recipients

Medal of Honor Valor Trail

In The Footsteps of Heroes

There is no higher honor than our country can bestow than the Medal of Honor, but the dramatic stories behind the awarding of many of these medals are rarely told at the places where they unfolded. We aim to change that.

About The Valor Trail

The  connects you to the places most deeply linked with Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War through the 21st century. It is envisioned to be a marriage of story and site, told at battlefields, birth and burial places, namesake sites, monuments and museums.

Our goal is to connect powerful stories to tangible places, creating meaningful connections to the past 鈥 and encourage Americans to follow In the Footsteps of Heroes鈩 by exploring these places, in person and online.

But we also join our friends at the in its quest to honor the sacrifice and inspire the future by calling upon all of us to live our own 鈥淢edal of Honor life鈥 and embody the award鈥檚 principles of Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism in our own actions. At the places most connected with their stories, we can be inspired by the heroes who have worn the Medal and aspire to uphold the nation鈥檚 highest promise and purpose, just as they did.

 

President Obama presents Alonzo Cushing鈥檚 Medal of Honor to Helen Loring Ensign on November 6, 2014.
A picture of a Medal of Honor on top of an American flag

Join Us

To make the vision a reality, we strive to create the most robust roster of sites possible. We invite you to nominate a site that helps tell the Medal of Honor story of one or more recipients. You can also sign up for updates, share your own research or simply explore the lives and legacies of these remarkable heroes.

 

Examples of historical sites found on the Valor Trail
A black and white photograph of Sergeant William Shemin

Our Valued Partnership

Congressional Medal of Honor Society Logo

Since 2018, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the 91茄子 have sought to tie the incredible stories of recipients past and present to the power of tangible places. The expands on this vision, showcasing the Medal鈥檚 full lineage into the 21st century.

 

Continue Exploring The Valor Trail
Learn about incredible stories of valor. Visit the places where you can feel closest to them. Be inspired by their example.