Chattanooga is the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor

Chattanooga, TN—November 4, 2024 ― Chattanooga, Tennessee, where our nation’s highest military award was first presented in 1863, is also home to the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center located in the heart of downtown. Opened in 2020, the center pays homage to those who have received the prestigious award throughout the decades while spotlighting the heroes who hail from Tennessee.

In 1863, Private Jacob Parrott was presented with the first Medal of Honor for his part in “The Great Locomotive Chase,” a military raid that occurred during the Civil War on April 12, 1862, and ended just outside of Chattanooga. Eventually, 19 of the 24 members who participated in the raid were also awarded First Medals – a term used to describe these recipients.

Since it was first established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, a Tennessean has received the Medal of Honor in every conflict excluding the War on Terror. The 32 state recipients are honored on the center’s Tennessee Wall of Valor.

The center showcases exhibits and immersive experiences that create a historic perspective for visitors of all generations. Some interesting facts about the Medal of Honor, as well as noted exhibits, include:

Since the Civil War, more than 40 million Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Only 3,520 have received the Medal of Honor, less than one percent.

Only one woman, Dr. Mary Walker, has been bestowed with the honor. Her story and struggle are just one of many of the center’s highlights.

George Jordan, a former slave from Williamson County, Tennessee, and a Buffalo Soldier, received the Medal of Honor for two separate actions during the Indian Wars and wars in the Pacific.

The flight suit of Richard “Dick” Scobee, an Air Force veteran and captain of the ill-fated Challenger, is prominently on display. Captain’s Scobee’s wife, June Scobee Rodgers, a resident of Chattanooga, happened to be walking by the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center shortly after it opened. She went in unannounced and anonymously explored the exhibits and displays. A few days later she returned offering to donate her late husband’s flight suit and boots. While Scobee was not a recipient of the award, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

The Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed major holidays. Admission is $16.95 for adults, $11.95 for seniors and military, $9.95 for children ages 5-12, $7.95 for students with ID and free for children under 4.

More information on Chattanooga and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, go to visitchattanooga.com