Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

Flag Sales are now OPEN for the 2025 Field of Honor! Presented by the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation and Cool Spring Downtown District. Honor a hero with a flag for the 2025 Field of Honor, displayed on the Parade Field at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum from September 11 – November 11, 2025. Each flag includes a tag with the sponsor’s name and the honoree’s information, creating a powerful tribute to those who serve, have served, or made the ultimate sacrifice. Flags can be shipped after the display ends for an additional $10, or donated for use in Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremonies. Purchase by August 19th, 2025 – no matter where you are, you can honor your hero. Purchase Now: https://lnkd.in/e7hMpR_x #FayettevilleNC #fortbragg #FieldOfHonor

Today, we honor our Gold Star Spouses—the unsung heroes who carry both a legacy of sacrifice and an enduring spirit of resilience. Your strength, love, and unwavering courage in the face of profound loss remind us of the true cost of freedom and the deep bonds of sacrifice that unite our nation. We see you. We honor you. And we stand with you—always. #GoldStarSpouses #HonorAndRemembrance #NeverForgotten

On This Day in History — April 3, 1968 With his machine gun at the ready, a paratrooper from the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division moves with caution near Huế, South Vietnam. Captured in the thick of combat, this powerful image reflects the bravery and intensity of the Vietnam War. 📸: Associated Press #ThrowbackThursday #vietnamwar #ThisDayInHistory

Stay in the loop—discover what’s happening at the Museum this April! Click below to read our April Newsletter.

🇺🇸 Honoring Rudy Baker 📍 Paver Dedication Ceremony at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum (ASOM) We were honored to recognize Rudy Baker, co-author of “The Boys of Benning” and founding member and board member of the ASOM, during a special paver dedication ceremony last week. Rudy’s lifelong service to the Airborne and Special Operations community—both in uniform and through his storytelling—preserves the legacy of America’s elite warriors for generations to come. Thank you, Rudy, for your commitment, your wisdom, and your stories. Your name now lives permanently on a tribute paver at the museum's entrance, alongside the brave men and women whose stories you’ve helped bring to life. 📚 To purchase "The Boys of Benning", click here: https://lnkd.in/eprXKsTb #fayettevillenc #fortbragg

Today is Vietnam War Veterans Day. In our gallery, a worn pair of tropical combat boots tells a powerful story. They belonged to Sergeant Tyson of the 173d Airborne Brigade, who wore them while serving in Vietnam. These boots marched through thick jungles, soaked in monsoon rains, and faced danger with every step. Later versions were reinforced with metal plates—an innovation meant to protect Soldiers from punji stick booby traps hidden beneath the earth. They’re more than just boots. They’re a quiet testament to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served. Nearly 2.7 million Americans served in the Vietnam War. Over 58,000 never came home. Thousands returned with visible and invisible wounds, and more than 1,600 remain missing. This Vietnam War Veterans Day, we invite you to honor their legacy by visiting the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum—where their stories live on and their sacrifices are never forgotten. Admission is always free. #VietnamWarVeteransDay #HonorTheirLegacy #ASOM #FreeAdmission #ArmyHistory #Airborne

We had a special visitor today—CDR Pat Dowden, USCG (Ret), owner of PD Sketches! Each of his prints, including the Vietnam Veteran Memorial 8x10 print he’s holding in the photo, beautifully honors the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. Take a closer look here: https://lnkd.in/eZt4XnfP #fayettevillenc #fortbragg #ArmyHistory

Corporal Rudy Hernandez served with distinction in the legendary 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. He was awarded the #MedalOfHonor for his extraordinary heroism in battle. When his platoon came under heavy attack and was forced to withdraw due to a lack of ammunition, Cpl. Hernandez—already wounded by a grenade—continued to return fire until his rifle was rendered useless by a ruptured cartridge. Refusing to give up, he fixed a bayonet to his rifle and charged the enemy alone. Despite sustaining severe wounds from grenades, bullets, and bayonets, Cpl. Hernandez killed six enemy soldiers before losing consciousness. His fearless actions halted the enemy advance and gave his unit the opportunity to regroup, counterattack, and reclaim lost ground. The photo below features the Corporal Rudy Hernandez exhibit at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum—designed and built in-house by our talented museum team. On this National #MedalOfHonorDay, we honor the extraordinary bravery of Corporal Hernandez and all who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to our Nation. Read the full story of Corporal Rudy Hernandez’s incredible heroism: https://lnkd.in/gej5PRfW #ArmyHistory #fayettevillenc #MedalofHonorDay #MedalofHonor #KoreanWar #fortbragg

🎖️ 80 Years Ago Today: Operation VARSITY 🇺🇸✈️ On March 24, 1945, over 16,000 Allied paratroopers jumped into Germany in the largest single-day airborne operation of WWII—Operation VARSITY. Their mission: secure the east bank of the Rhine and punch through Nazi Germany’s final defenses. Among them was Sergeant John J. Hinchliff of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After landing, he cut a piece of his T-5 parachute as a personal memento—a small keepsake from a massive moment in history. This fragment now resides in the ASOM's collection. Hinchliff jumped in both Normandy and Varsity, serving with distinction through the end of the war. He passed peacefully in 2020 at age 99. Today, we remember his courage—and the legacy of all who jumped that day. To learn more about this historic operation, visit: https://lnkd.in/eg2F3nHS #OperationVarsity80 #WWIIHistory #AirborneAllTheWay #ArmyHistory #airborne #fayettevillenc #fortbragg

Today marks the first day of Spring, the season of renewal and remembrance. Step outside, feel the fresh spring breeze, and take a peaceful stroll through the Reflection Garden at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum. This serene space is filled with engraved pavers honoring service members, veterans, and loved ones, each a powerful tribute to those who have served our Nation. Tribute Pavers, crafted from North Carolina white granite, are available in three sizes, with the largest offering custom artwork for a truly unique remembrance. Your tribute will be permanently displayed, ensuring their story is never forgotten. All proceeds support the museum, its programs, and future exhibits. Secure your paver today and help preserve the legacy of those who have served: https://lnkd.in/gzvnCwb #fayettevillenc #fortbraggnc #fortbragg