CODY, WY – The American West has always been a landscape of journeys. For centuries, the path through the Shoshone River valley has carried trappers, traders, pioneers, and legends.
This week, a new kind of pioneer wagon rests in a local repair shop — not a canvas-topped Conestoga, but a behemoth of a van named “Van of Valor.” Its mission, however, is as old as the nation itself: to honor the legacy of those who fought for its ideals.
The Van of Valor, a mobile studio, monument, and storytelling project dedicated to preserving the memories of America’s most decorated veterans, has found a temporary home in Cody.
What began as an unexpected detour for critical van repairs has transformed into a profound pilgrimage, connecting its founders with the rich, hallowed ground of a community that has produced its own extraordinary share of heroes.
“There’s a sense of humility, of serendipity, being here,” said Dr. Kevin P. Wallace, who, alongside his wife Lauren Wallace, founded the Van of Valor. “We came to Cody out of necessity, but we’re staying for a purpose that feels larger than ourselves. To be in a town that has nurtured such valor, from the beaches of the Pacific to the mountains of Afghanistan, is incredibly moving. It feels less like a coincidence and more like an appointment.”
The Van of Valor’s mission is to travel the country, collecting and sharing the stories of Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families.
They also tell stories of valor, like recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and other high-level awards for combat valor. In Cody, they didn’t have to travel far to find a tapestry of bravery woven deep into the community’s identity.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: A Name in Stone and Memory
Any discussion of Cody’s valor must begin with a name etched in gold on a pale blue ribbon: Cpl. Lester G. Johnson. A United States Marine, Johnson is Cody’s only native-born Medal of Honor recipient. His story is one of both supreme courage and profound sacrifice.
On November 1, 1943, during the brutal Battle of Bougainville, Johnson’s squad leader was killed. With his unit pinned down by relentless Japanese fire from a fortified pillbox, Johnson acted alone. He single-handedly assaulted the position, silencing the enemy gun and allowing his company to advance. Tragically, he was killed in action just days after this act of selfless heroism. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.
“Corporal Johnson’s story is the bedrock of this community’s military heritage,” said Lauren, a history graduate school at Harvard University. “He was a young man who gave everything, in a single, defining moment. He is the reason we do this. To ensure that such moments are never forgotten, that the price paid is always remembered.”
A Legacy of Leadership: From Vietnam’s Jungles to Wyoming’s Halls
The tradition of courage born with Johnson did not end with World War II. It was carried forward by a new generation in the steamy jungles of Vietnam.
Maj. Charles G. “Chuck” Irwin, commanding a battalion of the 4th Infantry Division, repeatedly exposed himself to withering enemy fire on May 5, 1970, to rescue wounded soldiers and direct his unit’s defense. His actions earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for Army valor. Irwin would later return to Wyoming, becoming a Brigadier General and a prominent state figure — a hero in war and in peace.
Simultaneously, another Cody native, Capt. Lawrence S. “Larry” Burton, was demonstrating the same caliber of leadership. Serving as a senior advisor to a South Vietnamese battalion, Burton saw the commander killed. Without hesitation, he took charge, leading a successful and audacious counterattack against a heavily fortified enemy position. For this extraordinary heroism, he too was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
“The stories of General Irwin and Colonel Burton are not just about individual bravery, but about the weight of command,” Dr. Wallace explained. “They embody the principle that a leader’s first duty is to his men. In moments of chaos, they provided order and courage, saving countless lives. They are a testament to the caliber of leaders Cody has produced.”
Valor in the Modern Era: The Sky Above and the Streets of Home
Cody’s legacy of heroism is not confined to history books. It extends into the modern era of the Global War on Terror, proving that the spirit of Johnson, Irwin, and Burton is alive and well.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher B. “Brett” Mason, an AH-64 Apache pilot, was a well-known and respected member of the Cody community. In 2007, during a prolonged and complex air assault in Afghanistan, his skilled and fearless flying under fire saved the lives of numerous ground troops. His actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, a prestigious award for aerial heroism. Mason’s story connects the wars of today directly to the streets of Cody, a reminder that contemporary conflicts touch even the most iconic American towns.
This legacy is further cemented by the distinguished service of individuals like Maj. Gen. John W. “Jack” Shanahan, a Cody High School graduate who became a decorated fighter pilot and senior Air Force commander, and Sergeant 1st Class Jeremiah J. Johnson, who was awarded the Silver Star for his exceptional bravery in leading his squad during a fierce firefight in Iraq in 2004.
The Mission Continues: From Repairs to Renewal
For the Wallaces, being surrounded by this concentration of military history has been both daunting and inspiring. As their van is repaired, their mission is being fortified.
“We’ve been humbled by the welcome we’ve received and the stories we’ve been entrusted with,” Lauren said. “This van is our vehicle, but it’s merely a tool. The real mission is the connection — between generations, between communities, and between citizens and their heroes. Cody has shown us that this spirit is not a relic; it’s a living, breathing thing.”
As the sun sets over the Absaroka Range, casting long shadows across the repair shop where the Van of Valor is being restored to health, the Wallaces look to the future. Their journey will soon continue, carrying the stories of Cody’s heroes to a wider audience. And after, Montana awaits with its own stories of valor and sacrifice.
But in this small Wyoming town, named for a legendary scout and built by pioneers, they found more than just a mechanic. They found a living monument to American valor, a place where the echoes of courage from Bougainville, Vietnam, and Afghanistan remind every traveler that the bravest journeys often lead not away from home, but directly back to it.
The Van of Valor will roll on, but a part of its spirit will forever remain in Cody, intertwined with the stories of the heroes who, in their finest hours, called it home.
To read their stories, and find links to video, radio and other interviews, visit: www.HelpVoV.com
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