Iowa Guard Unveils Hall of Honor for 22 Fallen
Joint Force Headquarters in Johnston now honors Iowa National Guard soldiers who died in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Military
The Iowa National Guard unveiled a permanent Hall of Honor inside Joint Force Headquarters in Johnston, paying tribute to 22 soldiers who died during the Global War on Terror. The exhibit was formally dedicated on October 22 during a private ceremony attended by Gold Star families and Guard leadership.
Why it matters
The exhibit is intended to ensure future generations understand the lives behind the uniforms and the sacrifices made by these soldiers and their families. Each display was developed with families who contributed photographs, biographical information, and personal memories.
The exhibit displays 22 individual plaques, each with a soldier's photograph, name, and access to a video tribute, covering service from 2003 through December 2025. The soldiers ranged in age from 20 to 48 and came from communities throughout Iowa.
The players
Iowa National Guard
The state's military reserve force, which operates under both state and federal authority and oversees the Survivor Outreach Services program that supported the exhibit.
The details
The permanent exhibit includes a display case, banners, and 22 plaques, developed in coordination with the Iowa National Guard's Survivor Outreach Services program. Each plaque links to an individually produced video tribute.
Timeline
2003 through December 2025: Service period of the 22 soldiers represented in the exhibit.
October 22: Formal dedication of the Hall of Honor during a private ceremony in Johnston.
Roadmap
The Hall of Honor is built on the Iowa National Guard's Survivor Outreach Services program, which coordinates support for families of fallen service members. The permanent exhibit extends that outreach into a public memorial that will remain in Johnston.
Families and Iowans seeking to visit the Hall of Honor can do so at Joint Force Headquarters in Johnston, where the exhibit is now on permanent display. Those with photographs or memories of the honored soldiers may contact the Survivor Outreach Services program to share materials for future exhibits.
The takeaway
The Hall of Honor offers a lasting public record of 22 Iowa soldiers, pairing each name and photograph with a video tribute so their service remains visible to future generations.
Further reading
Explore more Military coverage from Iowa for context on the state's National Guard.
