Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum Memorial, Pittsburgh

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, situated in Pittsburgh, is celebrated as the largest memorial in the United States dedicated exclusively to honoring veterans and service personnel across all branches of the military. The memorial, initiated by the Grand Army of the Republic in the 1890s, honors American Civil War veterans on the site of a former Union Army mustering ground. Today, the memorial extends its honor beyond the Civil War veterans to encompass career and citizen soldiers who have served the United States throughout its history.

Designed by architect Henry Hornbostel in 1907 and dedicated in 1910, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum is a masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style, heroic in scale. It is situated in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh on Fifth Avenue, surrounded by expansive, well-maintained lawns adorned with large cannons and other military implements, signifying its martial legacy.

The museum within the memorial is a treasure trove of military history, housing rare and unique exhibits that cover the span from the American Civil War to current conflicts. A notable feature of the museum is the "Hall of Valor," established in 1963, which honors regional veterans who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and service beyond the call of duty. The hall commemorates over six hundred honorees, including recipients of the nation's highest military decorations such as the Medal of Honor, The Kearny Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.