MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.—The Congressional Medal of Honor Society today announced the addition of new exhibits to its Recipients’ Museum to bring to life stories of valor and sacrifice in the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Vietnam War.

The interactive attractions highlight a selection of the Medal of Honor Recipients from their respective wars.

• The expanded Vietnam War section features two new mini documentaries on Recipients John Levitow, U.S. Air Force, and Bennie Adkins, U.S. Army.
• The new exhibit on the War on Terrorism highlights five Recipients: John Chapman, U.S. Air Force; Jason Dunham, U.S. Marine Corps; Michael Murphy, U.S. Navy; Ronald Shurer II, U.S. Army; and Paul R. Smith, U.S. Army.

The stories told reflect the values inherent in the Medal of Honor: courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism – the values of America. By bringing these stories to the public, the Medal of Honor Museum honors the sacrifice of all veterans and inspire the future.

Medal of Honor Recipient and Society President Leroy Petry commented on the additions to the museum, “As a veteran of the War on Terrorism, I know firsthand how critical it is to educate the public about the courage and sacrifices of our servicemembers in Afghanistan and Iraq and before that, Vietnam.”

He added, “We must never forget what these individuals have done. The stories in this exhibit provide lessons for a new generation about what it means to love your fellow soldiers and sailors on the battlefield and what it means to love your country.”

The Museum also pays special tribute to American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, ranging from the very first Medal of Honor recipients during the Civil War all the way to the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Laura Jowdy, the Museum’s Archivist & Historical Collections Manager, said, “The Society is thrilled with these long-awaited additions to the Recipients’ Medal of Honor Museum. The ability to share more stories, especially the stories of the newest generation of warriors, is the ultimate honor. I hope everyone who comes to the museum walks away inspired by the service of these national heroes.”

The Museum was instituted in 1995 after the Society moved its headquarters from the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York City to the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.  It was designated as one of three national Medal of Honor sites in 1999 as part of Public Law 106-83, the Medal of the Honor Memorial Act.

It is co-located with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society headquarters aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant whose Executive Director, Rorie Cartier, Ph.D., commented, “Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is honored to house the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Medal of Honor Recipient Museum aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown. The stories of these brave and resilient heroes inspire and educate our visitors and instill a sense of pride and patriotism that cannot be found anywhere else.”

He added, “The new updates that the Society has incorporated into the museum have increased the relevance of these brave individuals to current times and allow our younger guests to understand and appreciate the amount of sacrifice and valor that is required to do what is right against all odds. We look forward to observing the visitors’ reactions and applaud the Society for another job well done.”

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, inspiring Americans, and supporting the Recipients as they connect with communities across the country. Chartered by Congress in 1958, its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor. There are 66 living Recipients.

The Society carries out its mission through outreach, education and preservation programs, including the Medal of Honor Museum, Congressional Medal of Honor Valor Outreach Program, the Congressional Medal of Honor Character Development Program, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors Awards for Valor and Service. The Society’s programs and operations are funded by donations.

Learn more about the Medal of Honor and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s initiatives at https://www.cmohs.org.