Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg National Military Park, Pa.

Champions of Battlefield Preservation

For decades, extraordinary individuals have dedicated their time, talents and voices to protecting America’s battlefields. The American Battlefield Trust honors those whose leadership, passion and unwavering commitment to preservation have safeguarded our nation’s hallowed ground, advanced historical understanding and inspired future generations.

Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award

The Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose exceptional leadership, dedication and lifelong contributions have shaped the battlefield preservation movement and inspired future generations to protect America’s hallowed ground.

Older man wearing a Civil War Trust baseball cap, gray jacket, red shirt, and plaid tie.

Edwin C. Bearss

Career Highlights
World War II Veteran, National Park Service Chief Historian, Tour Guide, Author
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2018 & 2001
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The Rev. Bob Bluford

Career Highlights
World War II Veteran, Presbyterian Minister, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2013
Older man with white hair wearing a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, smiling at the camera in front of a wood-paneled wall.

Clark B. Hall

Career Highlights
Vietnam Veteran, FBI Supervisory Agent, Congressional Investigator, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2012
Man with gray hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie.

Edward T. Wenzel

Career Highlights
Historian, Preservationist, Author
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2012
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Norman D. Dicks

Career Highlights
U.S. House of Representatives Member, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2010
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Deborah Fitts

Career Highlights
Journalist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2008
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John P. “Jack” Ackerly III

Career Highlights
Lawyer, University of Virginia Rector, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2007
Man with dark hair and a mustache wearing a Civil War-era military uniform and red kepi-style cap.

Brian C. Pohanka

Career Highlights
Historian, Preservationist, Author
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2006
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Manuel Lujan Jr.

Career Highlights
U.S. House of Representatives Member, Secretary of the Interior, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2006
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Carrington Williams

Career Highlights
World War II Veteran, Lawyer, Virginia House of Delegates Member, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2003
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Jerry L. Russell

Career Highlights
Preservationist, Public Relations Specialist, Political Consultant
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2002
Man wearing a National Park Service uniform and broad-brimmed ranger hat, outdoors against trees and a blue sky.

Dennis E. Frye

Career Highlights
National Park Service Historian, Preservationist
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2001
Smiling man wearing a broad-brimmed National Park Service ranger hat and green uniform, outdoors in a wooded setting.

Donald C. Pfanz

Career Highlights
National Park Service Historian, Interpreter, Preservationist, Author
Award
Edwin C. Bearss Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted
2001

American Battlefield Trust Preservation Champions

From historians and authors to advocates, philanthropists and public servants, these extraordinary individuals have helped shape the battlefield preservation movement. Through their leadership, dedication and service, they have protected irreplaceable historic landscapes, deepened our understanding of the past, and inspired others to carry the mission of preservation forward.

Robert E L Krick
Preservation Champion

Robert E.L. Krick

Robert E.L. “Bobby” Krick has lived or worked on Civil War battlefields almost continuously since 1972. He grew up on the Chancellorsville Battlefield...
Preservation Champion

Robert K. Krick

Robert K. Krick was for thirty years the Chief Historian of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, and is the author of several books.
Preservation Champion

Thomas H. Lauer

Vice Chairman of the Board of the Civil War Trust, Thomas H. Lauer was a Managing Partner at Advent International Corporation from 1987 until his...
Preservation Champion

Jim Lighthizer

On September 30, 2020, Jim Lighthizer retired after nearly 21 years as president of the American Battlefield Trust, transitioning to a lifetime...
Preservation Champion

Manuel Lujan

Manuel Lujan served as the secretary of the interior under George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993.
Man with gray hair and glasses smiling broadly, wearing a dark suit, blue shirt, and tie at an indoor gathering.
Preservation Champion

Manuel Lujan Jr.

After representing New Mexico for 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives , Manuel Lujan Jr. was appointed Secretary of the Interior by...