Recognizing the impact and commitment of four people throughout the community.
Architect Rafael Viñoly
The vision for the National Medal of Honor Museum began with architect Rafael Viñoly, who died of an aneurysm two years before the museum’s opening. Yet, his legacy lives on within it.
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1944, Viñoly studied at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Buenos Aires.
As the founder of Rafael Viñoly Architects, Viñoly and his architectural firm have worked on over 600 commissions for buildings such as courthouses, airports and stadiums throughout many parts of the world.
As the museum’s chief architect, Viñoly’s design concept is meant to evoke the burden and inspirational character traits of the Medal of Honor recipients.
The primary square structure sits 40 feet above ground, supported by five concrete columns each representing a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The over 100,000-square-foot facility features a sunken, open courtyard, the Rotunda of Honor — the main entrance of the facility — and a public space for gathering before visitors enter the museum. A circular shape is cut out of the center of the Exhibition Hall above, allowing light to filter into the Rotunda of Honor.
The Exhibition Hall showcases the museum’s core goal of inspiring acts of everyday heroism among its visitors, with artifacts interspersed within immersive storytelling presentations.
“He was really invested in this project from the very beginning and so intrigued by the whole mission,” said Bassam Komati, Rafael Viñoly Architects partner. “I’m pretty sure he’d be very, very, very proud.”
- Source: Viñoly Foundation and the National Medal of Honor Museum
Col. Neel E. Kearby
While some stories fade into history, the actions of Medal of Honor recipients are forever engraved into the nation’s legacy.
From 1923 to 1949, UTA was called the North Texas Agricultural College, a two-year academic institution offering courses in military science and vocational education among other studies. It is also where Medal of Honor recipient Neel E. Kearby attended from 1930-1931.
In 1934, he enrolled in UT Austin to pursue a degree in business administration. By the time he received his diploma in 1937, the world was on the brink of war, and he later enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps as a flying cadet.
His bravery would soon become worthy of the Medal of Honor.
Less than a month after he was promoted to colonel, Kearby shot down six Japanese aircrafts during World War II, the most for an American fighter pilot at the time, saving the life of his comrades. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on Oct. 11, 1943, for this mission.
The following year, Col. Kearby was shot down while leading a three-plane formation over Wewak, New Guinea. His legacy lives on through the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Neel Kearby Theater.
Aside from the Medal of Honor, Kearby also received five Air Medals, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars and the Purple Heart. A life-sized commemorative statue of him sits outside City Center Plaza in Arlington.
“He’s the son of the city of Arlington,” said Lt. Col. Greg LeClair, UTA military science professor. “To have that right here is a huge honor to him.”
- Source: UTA Corps of Cadets, Texas State Historical Association, Air Force Historical Support Division and City of Arlington
Gen. Richard E. Cavazos
Medal of Honor recipient Richard E. Cavazos attended UTA, then called North Texas Agricultural College, from 1947 to 1949, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Sam Houston Rifles drill team.
During a battle in June 1953 in Sagimak, Korea, when enemy fire began to overwhelm Cavazos’ company, he followed orders to withdraw his men. But, he repeatedly returned to his outpost alone to search for missing servicemembers.
He put himself in danger to assist his injured servicemembers until he cleared the battlefield.
Only then did he accept medical aid.
Once he returned to the U.S. in the fall of 1953, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, which was renamed Fort Cavazos in his honor May 9, 2023.
His bravery and unwavering commitment to his men earned him the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross, one of the second-highest awards for valor in the military.
In 1976, he was appointed the first Hispanic brigadier general in the U.S. Army. He continued to serve until 1984 and retired as a four-star general with 33 years of service under his belt.
Gen. Cavazos died in 2017 at the age of 88 due to Alzheimer’s disease complications.
In January 2025, former President Joe Biden awarded him the Medal of Honor, alongside others who served in the Korean War.
“That is the ultimate embodiment of courage and commitment and sacrifice. He’s risking his own life every time, time and time again,” said Mike Caldwell, director of the Center for the Elevation of Honor at the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Griffin Institute.
- Source: U.S. Army and the UTA Cadet Corps Alumni Council
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross’ life, shaped by the discipline of the U.S. military and a diverse journey of public service, has forged him into the leader he is today. Ross is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former SWAT team member, lawyer, police officer and business owner.
Ross joined the Marine Corps in the late ’70s as a teenager and served for four years. He said the leadership programs they had taught him the character traits of a leader — a lesson he’s carried through every profession.
“I’ll be honest, I needed the Marine Corps a whole lot more than they needed me,” he said.
Service has always been at the core of Ross’ work, be it in his 13 years with the Arlington Police Department or his time representing harmed victims as a lawyer, he said. For Ross, it has always been about giving back.
As the mayor, giving back also extends to Arlington’s deep roots in veteran and military history.
Ross chairs the Veteran Affairs Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and has worked to ensure veterans in Arlington are supported with the resources they need.
Ross said he is proud of the Arlington Valor Alliance, which connects veterans with service organizations. He is working on a proposal for a Veterans Village, a hub offering transitional housing, therapy, job placement and more.
“Arlington is what I would call ‘veteran proud,’” he said, “We are honored to provide services and respect and honor for the men and women who have served this country.”
