National Medal of Honor Museum

We used Google Earth cross-referenced with historical maps and photography to help accurately reconstruct landscape details, and determine optimal camera positions and angles for the scene of the Guadalcanal battle, a pivotal battle in the Pacific War. We mapped out battle formations between American and Chinese forces during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, placing the ambush, American base, and aircraft flight paths with precision. For the Nuremberg Zeppelinfeld scene, we delved into the detail of the swastika emblem that adorned the grandstand and was famously blown up after Germany’s fall in WW2.

Once we locked down our compositions, the process involved matte painting to start reconstructing the landscapes, carefully layering details to stay true to history. This stage was one of the toughest—getting the environment to feel authentic required poring over historical photographs, film, and reference materials.

With the environments in place, we moved on to CGI and animation. We brought in vehicles, ships, aircraft, and troops, ensuring every movement was period-accurate. This was especially critical for battle sequences—how ships moved in the water, how aircraft maneuvered, how soldiers positioned themselves on the battlefield.

The final polish is where the parts of the process came together, but it was also where the biggest challenges emerged. Various explosions, smoke effects, and muzzle flashes had to look realistic and accurate. We spent a lot of time configuring the fire rate and impact effects that involved researching real artillery from those conflicts to make sure every muzzle flash and explosion felt authentic. One of the biggest technical hurdles was the scale of the projection itself. It was crucial to avoid any issues becoming visible during the final installation, so we tested our renders at 8K allowing us to catch problems early, and deliver a pixel perfect final piece.

The Wall of Recipients offers a powerful moment of reflection. Set within a softly lit, circular space, the names of over 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients are illuminated across the curved walls. This quiet installation is designed to give visitors a personal connection to the legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service that defines the nation’s highest military achievement.