What is a Silent Hero?

A Silent Hero is any service member of the United States Armed Forces or civilian support personnel who died honorably while serving the United States. Silent Heroes died while training for or participating in the war or died of wounds received in battle.

Private First Class
Lavern Allard

Private First Class Lavern Allard changed my life. He introduced me to people I otherwise would never have met. He showed me that if I am willing to put in the effort, I can accomplish anything.

Hannah Doyle Delta High School, Washington

About Silent Heroes

In addition to the NHD National Contest, National History Day® is also initiating a new educational program called Silent Heroes. The program began by documenting personal stories of those who gave everything for our liberty during World War II. This project honors servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Over time, the Silent Heroes program has expanded to include World War II and those from World War I, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This public, open-access database features over 200 memorial pages for individual soldiers. This noble and ambitious undertaking will require the contribution of America’s best ambassadors: its youth!

Flight Officer
Edmund Decker

As we honored our Silent Heroes, it became apparent that we, this new generation, must keep history alive. The sacrifices made by these men must be recognized and honored.

Audrey Calovich Notre Dame de Sion High School, Missouri

Teacher Advisory Board

Melissa Andersen, Serrano High School, California

Theresa Fitzgerald, National Archives and Records Administration, Missouri

Jason Harris, former NHD in Texas Coordinator

Jeff Hawks, NHD in Pennsylvania Coordinator

Sarah Henkel, Northbrook Middle School, Illinois

David Howard, Minnesota

Christina O'Connor, Hingham High School, Massachusetts

Peter Porter, Monroe Township High School, New Jersey

Kevin Wagner, Carlisle Area School District, Pennsylvania