Visions of Valor is the first and largest exhibit of its kind in American history to honor the commitment
and character of recipients of the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military award for valor under fire. This museum-quality exhibit
of black-and-white photographs from famed portrait photographer Nick Del Calzo is intended to educate the public about the Medal of
Honor and to perpetuate the patriotism, courage and honor of its recipients.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance has acquired two Visions of Valor collections—each containing 140 portraits depicting America's
Medal of Honor recipients. These portraits depict all that is noble and brave about America's most decorated heroes.
"The humility and heroism of these great patriots shines through every photograph, and it is our extreme pleasure to be able to share
their incredible faces—and, indeed, incredible stories—with this portrait collection."
– David J. McIntyre, TriWest President & CEO
Of the two collections, one is being permanently displayed at the Pentagon. The official presentation of the Visions of Valor collection
from TriWest to the Pentagon occurred February 3, 2006.
The second is a traveling exhibit which is being displayed at military and public venues throughout the West Region. The first-ever
unveiling of the other collection took place on December 7, 2005, at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz. It then
traveled to the Naval Medal Center San Diego and the United States Air Force Academy, Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson,
Colo. and the Hawai'i State Art Museum in Honolulu. The exhibit will continue its tour throughout the region, with more stops planned
in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Kansas and Missouri.
The Visions of Valor collection is featured in the book
Medal of Honor - Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. For
more information on purchasing the book,
click here.
The Medal of Honor (also known as the Congressional Medal of Honor) is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States.
It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself "... conspicuously by gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United
States ..."
"As a six-year prisoner of war, I learned that freedom is our most important commodity. We keep it through personal responsibility.
Freedom is the flip-side of responsibility."
– Medal of Honor recipient Leo Thorsness
Members of all branches of the U.S. military are eligible to receive the medal, and each service has a unique design (although the
Marine Corps uses the Navy's medal). The Medal of Honor is often presented personally to the recipient or, in the case of posthumous
awards, to survivors, by the President of the United States. Due to its high stature, the medal has special protection under U.S.
law. There are two distinct means for awarding the Medal of Honor. The first and most common is nomination by a Service member in
the chain of command, followed by approval at each level of command. The other method is nomination by a member of Congress (generally
at the request of a constituent) and approval by a special act of Congress. In either case, the Medal of Honor is presented by the
President on behalf of the Congress.
In American history, 3,461 Medals of Honor have been awarded. There are fewer than 120 Medal of Honor recipients living today.