National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership

10/07/2026

Integrity is revealed in the choices we make, especially when no one is watching.

It means holding ourselves to a consistent standard, taking responsibility for our actions, and choosing what is right even when the easier path is available. These everyday decisions build trust, strengthen character, and shape the way we lead and serve others.

At the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, integrity is one of the six core values that reminds us that character is demonstrated through action.

10/05/2026

Character is revealed every day through the choices we make, the standards we uphold, and the way we serve others.

In this message, Medal of Honor Recipient Ryan Pitts reflects on the importance of carrying forward the values at the heart of the Medal of Honor: courage, integrity, sacrifice, and service. At the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, those values help shape programs designed to develop the leaders our nation needs.

Preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor means more than remembering the past. It means using those lessons to inspire tomorrow’s leaders to lead with character, purpose, and responsibility.

10/03/2026

Today we honor Medal of Honor Recipient Matthew O. Williams on his birthday.

On April 6, 2008, while serving with U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan, Williams repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to reach wounded teammates, organize defensive positions, restore critical communications, and help evacuate casualties. His actions helped save the lives of four critically wounded soldiers and prevented his team from being overrun.

His story is a powerful example of leadership rooted in courage, responsibility, and commitment to others, especially when the stakes are highest.

Photo Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

10/02/2026

The most meaningful education does more than prepare students for a career. It prepares them for a life of purpose, service, and leadership.

Through our Partnerships Program, the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership works alongside educational institutions to bring the timeless values exemplified by Medal of Honor Recipients into classrooms, campus life, and student development experiences. Together, we help students explore what courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism look like in practice and how those values can guide their decisions long after graduation.

Every partnership is tailored to the unique goals of the institution and designed to inspire students to lead with character in their communities, professions, and our nation.

Join a growing movement committed to developing the next generation of leaders of character. Click the link below to learn more and connect with our team.

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10/02/2026

We have a few spots still open!

🚀 Are you a high school junior or senior in the Charleston area looking to make a real impact, build your leadership skills, and boost your college resume?
The Junior Fellowship Program is a seven-month immersive experience where you’ll grow as a leader and create meaningful change right here in our community.
✨ Highlights of the program include a Three-Day Leadership Intensive where you’ll:
• Engage in team-building and VR leadership challenges
• Sharpen your communication and public speaking skills
• Design your own community service project
• Connect with guest speakers and community mentors
• Explore core leadership values like courage, integrity, and citizenship
👉 Who should apply? We’re looking for high school juniors and seniors who care about their community, have a growth mindset, and are ready to challenge themselves!

🎬 Check out the video below to get a preview of the experience! 👇 Ready to take the lead? The link to apply is right down in the comments!

2025-2026 Junior Fellowship Completion

10/01/2026

October 1 marks the birthdays of three Medal of Honor Recipients whose actions reflect extraordinary courage, service, and character.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. Army helicopter pilot Patrick Henry Brady repeatedly flew into dangerous conditions to evacuate wounded service members. On January 6, 1968, he rescued 51 seriously wounded men in a single day.

During the Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts continued defending his position despite severe wounds, helping protect his fellow soldiers and prevent the observation post from being overrun.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Allan J. Kellogg Jr. covered an enemy gr***de with his body to protect fellow Marines, then continued directing his men to safety despite his injuries.

Their stories remind us that leadership is often defined by the choices made when others are counting on us. Today, we honor their birthdays and the examples of character they continue to provide.

Photo Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

09/30/2026

Patriotism is more than love of country. It is a commitment to the values that define us, the freedoms we cherish, and the generations of Americans who have served, sacrificed, and strengthened our nation.

Medal of Honor Recipient and National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership Board Member Colonel Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr. recently reflected on a White House ceremony honoring the American flag and those who have served beneath it. Among those recognized were veterans more than a century old, including a 107-year-old veteran who proudly rose to salute the flag once again.

It was a powerful reminder that the American story is carried forward by ordinary people who answer a call greater than themselves. Their examples challenge each of us to live with purpose, serve with humility, and ensure the values they defended endure for future generations.

Because patriotism is not simply something we remember. It is something we choose to live.

09/29/2026

On January 8, 1968, Gary G. Wetzel faced a moment that would test the limits of
courage, sacrifice, and commitment.

Serving as a helicopter door gunner with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Wetzel was critically
wounded when enemy rockets struck his aircraft. Despite severe injuries, he returned to
his weapon to defend the soldiers around him and later attempted to reach and assist
his wounded aircraft commander.

Stories like Gary Wetzel's remind us that true leadership is often revealed in life's most
difficult moments. It is found in those who choose duty over comfort, service over self,
and the well-being of others above their own.

As we celebrate Medal of Honor Recipient Gary G. Wetzel on his birthday, we honor a
legacy of courage and selfless service that continues to inspire leaders of character
today.

Photo Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

09/25/2026

The best rivalries do more than create competition. They challenge us to become more than we could be on our own.

At Worthy Rivals: Leadership Beyond the Field, Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts reflected on the influence of his first team leader, Christopher Tobias. Their relationship was shaped by a healthy competitive spirit, but it was rooted in something deeper: a shared commitment to excellence, accountability, and the success of the team.

Great leaders understand that competition is not about proving we are better than others. It is about becoming better for others. They set high standards, inspire those around them to rise to the challenge, and recognize that individual achievement means little unless it strengthens the entire team.

When rivalry is grounded in respect, shared purpose, and common values, it does more than elevate performance. It develops character, builds trust, and inspires all of us to reach higher together.

Photo Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

09/23/2026

What can one of America's most storied rivalries teach us about service, character, and leadership?

This December, Worthy Rivals: Leadership Beyond the Field returns on the eve of the Army-Navy game to explore the values that have long strengthened our military, our communities, and our nation.

Through the experiences of Medal of Honor Recipients and other distinguished leaders, we will examine how courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism shape the choices leaders make when the stakes are highest.

Worthy Rivals is more than a gathering. It is an opportunity to join a growing movement committed to developing leaders of character who will help meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Because while rivalry can inspire excellence, shared values remind us what is worth striving for together.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the movement.
https://www.cmohs.org/foundation/give