Chattanooga, Tn (WDEF)- The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center debuted a new exhibit Saturday honoring Medal of Honor recipient Dwight W. Birdwell.
Birdwell — a citizen of the Cherokee Nation — is one of only five Cherokee people to receive the nation’s highest military award. The exhibit gives visitors an intimate look at his journey from rural Oklahoma to the front lines of Vietnam and beyond. It features personal mementos, military honors, and Cherokee cultural artifacts.
Maranda Wilkinson, Director of Development, said they are proud to showcase Birdwell’s legacy. “He is one of only five Cherokee Medal of Honor recipients, and he traces his ancestry back to Tennessee and North Georgia — so this is kind of like a key exhibit from his childhood,” she explained.
Organizers say they hope Birdwell’s story will not only preserve a piece of history, but also inspire courage, service, and pride for generations to come.
