About NMHC

Since 1776 the American soldier has stood in the breach between democracy and tyranny. Time and again global threats to man’s inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have been answered by the courage and conviction of our nation’s military.  Time and again, brave soldiers have laid down their lives, not simply for their countrymen, but for the independence of cultures and people far removed from the American landscape.

It is a concept unique in the history of the world ... a nation with such regard for individual liberty that its soldiers routinely risk their lives to promote and ensure freedom for any and all with the courage to embrace it.

Over the years many fine facilities and initiatives have sought to honor our nation’s military and its remarkable soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. The National Military History Center (NMHC) in Auburn, IN will complement these efforts while offering a variety of unique and exciting components. The complex will spotlight the service and sacrifice of America’s military through a variety of museum units and major galleries dedicated to Young America’s military, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, and today’s War on Terror.

Each museum and gallery will pay significant attention to the individual GI and his/her role in shaping history, both at home and abroad. To that end, the NMHC will also house the American Veterans Hall of Honor, a unique facility for which we will seek a Congressional Charter. This Hall of Honor will recognize and preserve the achievements of America’s veterans, both well-known and obscure. It will honor not only their accomplishments as GIs, but also the successes of their civilian lives, where they effectively exploited the leadership and management skills acquired through military training. No such national facility exists today and we feel it is time that America recognizes her GIs with the same commitment and energy as she does her athletes, rock stars and innovators. The first stage of this ambitious project was completed in 2003 at a cost of $22 million, courtesy of the vision and conviction of Dean Kruse and the Kruse Foundation of Auburn, IN. Phase One featured the acclaimed World War II Victory Museum, which offers one the world’s most impressive collections of World war II military equipment. In this collection are eight vehicles believed to be the only last existing ones in the world. Also in the collection are dozens of machines that can be found nowhere else in North America. In total, the museum owns just over 150 vehicles from the war. These range in size and weight from motorcycles weighing several hundred pounds to an armored tank recovery vehicle that stands over ten feet tall and weighs more than 45 tons. The Kruse Foundation also underwrote Phase One construction work. Subsequent efforts have focused on refining the structure of the Victory Museum and defining the overall vision for the National Military History Center. Contained in these pages is the resulting strategic vision for the Center and its dynamic museum components.

This newest phase of growth will allow us to expand an complete the World War II Victory Museum, develop the framework for the American Heritage Gallery (1776-1917), open the doors to a Cold War Museum (1946-1989), a War on Terror Museum (1991-present), and the unprecedented American Veterans Hall of Honor and Veterans Research Library. This phase will cost an estimated $17 million over the next three years. But it is a price tag that carries a tremendous return on investment. Not only will the NMHC preserve the legacies of America’s armed forces, but it will share that legacy and its lessons with future generations. A comprehensive national education program will focus on history, language arts, and technology as well as the construction of strategic leadership modules that will teach critical thinking, management, team work, organization and personal accountability. These initiatives will be tailored to specific student grade levels (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) as well as business modules that will be available through on-site, on-line, and outreach classes and seminars.

We have much to learn from the courage and devotion of the American GI...so many stories to tell and ideals to preserve. Never, in the history of the world, has a fighting force consistently shown so much compassion, vision, and courage. Never have men and women so willingly given of themselves that others might enjoy the fruits of liberty. We owe it to them to preserve that vital legacy and share it with future generations. We owe it to them to never forget.