Van Valkenburgh, Franklin - The National Medal of Honor Museum

Join us for Family Summer Day on July 25! Presented by the Texas Lottery®.View Details

Plan your visit
- Hours, Directions And Parking Café and Restaurant Museum Shop Museum Map
- Tickets and Experiences Accessibility Group Visits Plan Your Field Trip Places to Stay
Explore All exhibits and events
- EXHIBITSMoments of Action Exhibit From Rails to Rotors Exhibit More than a Medal Exhibit Interactive Exhibits Medal Exhibits
- EVENTSHost a Private Event Veterans Day
Explore All Recipients Stories
- THE RECIPIENTSRecipients Database Search
- THE MEDALLearn About the Medal More Than a Medal Exhibit
Ways to Get Involved
- GiveBecome a Member Volunteer Make A Donation Partners and Donors Sponsor a Youth Field Trip
- AboutAbout the Museum Museum Leadership Careers Stories Pressroom
Griffin Institute
- Griffin InstituteLearn About the Griffin Institute June 2 Teacher Development Day June 4 Teacher Development Day

Become a Member Buy Tickets

U.S. NavyAwarded Posthumously

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin

ConflictWorld War II

Year of Action1941

Unit/CommandUSS Arizona (BB-39)

BirthplaceMinneapolis, Minnesota

Citation

For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor T.H., by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As commanding officer of the USS Arizona, Capt. Van Valkenburgh gallantly fought his ship until the USS Arizona blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: World War II Year of Action: 1941