An Army guard standing watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Honor · The people behind the service

Every Hero has a story.

Recognition begins with the person. A story should reflect their own words, their consent and the service they want remembered.

Honor a Hero Visit the Talent Portal

Photo: R Perucho / Pexels · Context imagery

HONOR · SERVE · INSPIRE

Purpose in every detail.

Recognize

Honor service and leadership without turning a person's story into a product advertisement.

Protect

Public stories require consent and review. Personal contact information and sensitive career details do not belong on a public tribute.

Continue

The Hero Talent Portal offers a separate path for those choosing to share professional experience with approved employers.

THE NEXT STEP

Move the mission forward.

Save a nomination draft below. The website does not accept or publish nominations yet.

Honor a Hero

A MOMENT TO HONOR

For those who served, and those waiting at home.

For every veteran, there are people who stood beside them. Watch a tribute to the bonds that carry service beyond the uniform.

RYPE FILM · 52 SECOND EXCERPT · PLAY ON DEMAND

Film: RYPE. Presented as a tribute; people pictured are not identified as Aim High Hero members.

HONOR A HERO / SHARE THEIR STORY

Tell us who you want to honor.

Complete the nomination at your pace. Save a draft on your device; the submission channel is being prepared. Please share only details you have permission to share.

Your name Your email Hero’s name Service branch Your relationship to the Hero Service status

What should people remember about this Hero? What would you like to say to them or their family?

Story and consentI have permission to share these details, or I am saving a private draft to obtain permission before submitting.I understand a public tribute would require the Hero’s consent or appropriate family authorization and editorial review.

Do not include home addresses, phone numbers, medical history, Social Security or DoD ID numbers, classified information, or operational details. Drafts download to your device and are not uploaded to this website.

DOCUMENTED SERVICE • FIRSTHAND SOURCES

Real people. Their stories endure.

Explore independently documented service from Vietnam through Afghanistan. These historical accounts are attributed to their publishers; the people featured are not presented as Aim High Hero members.

VIETNAM WAR · U.S. Army

Roy P. Benavidez

In May 1968, Benavidez entered a battle to aid a surrounded team and help evacuate its wounded. His Medal of Honor citation records repeated rescue efforts under fire.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: DoD photo by EJ Hersom / DVIDS

DESERT STORM · U.S. Army

Bob Lehtonen

Lehtonen recalls serving with a field artillery unit in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His account connects the demanding work of an artillery crew to a life of continued Army service.

Read the verified account at U.S. Army →Photo context and credit: U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zach Sheely / DVIDS

U.S. Army soldiers preparing to enter a building in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004; not David Bellavia's unit

IRAQ WAR · U.S. Army

David G. Bellavia

At Fallujah in November 2004, Bellavia helped his squad escape a fortified position. The Society preserves his Medal of Honor citation and his own account of the battle.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: DoD photo by Sgt. 1st Class Johancharles Van Boers / DVIDS

U.S. Marines preparing to board helicopters in Afghanistan in 2009; not Dakota Meyer's unit

AFGHANISTAN WAR · U.S. Marine Corps

Dakota L. Meyer

During a 2009 ambush in Kunar Province, Meyer made repeated trips into danger to assist U.S. and Afghan comrades. His Medal of Honor citation documents the six-hour battle.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by CWO3 Philippe E. Chasse / DVIDS

Service in photographs

Real U.S. military images from DVIDS. Select a photograph for its original caption and full credit.

U.S. Army Abrams tank moving during field training

U.S. ArmyArmor in motionPhoto: Sgt. Lianne M. Hirano / DVIDS ↗

F-35C launching from USS Abraham Lincoln

U.S. NavyCarrier aviationPhoto: 1st Lt. Charles Allen / DVIDS ↗

U.S. Air ForceC-130 airliftPhoto: Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond / DVIDS ↗

Coast Guard rescue swimmer jumping from an MH-65 helicopter off Honolulu during training

U.S. Coast GuardRescue swimmer trainingPhoto: Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson / DVIDS ↗

U.S. Space ForceGuardians at workPhoto: David Dozoretz / DVIDS ↗

The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement. Photographs document service and are not advertisements or depictions of the named veterans’ actions.

02 / HEROES WHO KEEP BUILDING

RECOGNITION & ADVOCACY

The Jax Act asks the country to recognize service it overlooked.

Jaclyn Scott served on a Cultural Support Team alongside special operations forces. The proposed Jax Act seeks corrected records, recognition and access to care for women whose combat service was not properly reflected. The legislation is a continuing advocacy effort, not an enacted benefit.

Read the Jax Act story Read the legislation announcement

Independent editorial spotlight. Aim High Hero is not affiliated with or endorsed by this person or organization.

J“Jaclyn “Jax” ScottEvery hero's record should tell the truth.STORY CONTINUES ↗

HONOR THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SERVICE

Their legacy is part of our mission.

Photographs supplied to Aim High Hero of community tributes to wounded service members, the fallen, and Gold Star families. The images document memorial places; they do not identify or tell the story of any individual pictured or named.

Purple Heart emblem painted beside a reserved Combat Wounded parking sign at night — **Combat wounded**A community space reserved in recognition of wounded service members.

Memorial wall with engraved names and service emblems at night — **Names remembered**A wall of remembrance with flags placed at its base.

Gold Star Memorial sign honoring families whose loved ones died defending the United States — **Gold Star families**A tribute to the families who carry the loss of a loved one.

Stone memorial engraved with the words Always Ready — **Always ready**A simple promise of service, carved in stone.

SERVICE ACROSS GENERATIONS

The history is personal.

Explore independent historical records and veterans’ own accounts. These sources are separate from Aim High Hero’s consented Hero profiles.

Aim High Hero Flight Deck illustration of military aviation

VIETNAM

The return, and the stories carried home

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at National Archives

Explore the source ↗

Aim High Hero Iron Guardian armored vehicle illustration

DESERT STORM

Service across the Gulf War generation

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at National Archives

Explore the source ↗

Aim High Hero Carrier Strike naval illustration

IRAQ

Firsthand accounts of a new generation

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at Library of Congress

Explore the source ↗

Aim High Hero Afterburner aviation illustration

AFGHANISTAN

Voices that belong to the people who served

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at Library of Congress

Explore the source ↗

Aim High Hero Silent Service illustration

ORAL HISTORIES

Listen to veterans tell their own stories

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at American Veterans Center

Explore the source ↗

Aim High Hero Vertical Recon aviation illustration

IN MEMORIAM

Remember the Special Forces fallen

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at Special Forces Foundation

Explore the source ↗

NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE

From the original Frogmen to today

Illustrative AHH artwork · archival story at National Navy SEAL Museum

Explore the source ↗

Real people. Their stories endure.

VIETNAM WAR · U.S. Army

Roy P. Benavidez

In May 1968, Benavidez entered a battle to aid a surrounded team and help evacuate its wounded. His Medal of Honor citation records repeated rescue efforts under fire.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: DoD photo by EJ Hersom / DVIDS

DESERT STORM · U.S. Army

Bob Lehtonen

Lehtonen recalls serving with a field artillery unit in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His account connects the demanding work of an artillery crew to a life of continued Army service.

Read the verified account at U.S. Army →Photo context and credit: U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zach Sheely / DVIDS

IRAQ WAR · U.S. Army

David G. Bellavia

At Fallujah in November 2004, Bellavia helped his squad escape a fortified position. The Society preserves his Medal of Honor citation and his own account of the battle.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: DoD photo by Sgt. 1st Class Johancharles Van Boers / DVIDS

AFGHANISTAN WAR · U.S. Marine Corps

Dakota L. Meyer

During a 2009 ambush in Kunar Province, Meyer made repeated trips into danger to assist U.S. and Afghan comrades. His Medal of Honor citation documents the six-hour battle.

Read the verified account at Congressional Medal of Honor Society →Photo context and credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by CWO3 Philippe E. Chasse / DVIDS

The Jax Act asks the country to recognize service it overlooked.

Independent editorial spotlight. Aim High Hero is not affiliated with or endorsed by this person or organization.

Their legacy is part of our mission.