Rick Hendrick acquires one-of-a-kind GM Defense ISV-U at Barrett-Jackson, raising $1M for the Medal of Honor Foundation
2026-04-20
PALM BEACH, Fla. – GM Defense and the Medal of Honor Foundation announced the successful auction of the first-ever publicly offered Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach generated $1,000,000 with 100% of the hammer price to benefit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
The one-of-a-kind 2026 ISV-U – engineered by GM Defense to meet U.S. Army and allied requirements for an ultra-light tactical vehicle – was presented in a custom livery that pays tribute to the legacy of the Medal of Honor and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The vehicle crossed the auction block before a national audience, accompanied by four of the nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients in attendance – David Bellavia, Kyle Carpenter, Terry Richardson, and Matt Williams – marking a historic moment at the intersection of American engineering, military heritage, and philanthropy.
“GM Defense is proud to stand alongside the Medal of Honor Foundation and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society,” said Steve duMont, President, GM Defense. “To see this vehicle generate meaningful support for those who have given so much in service to our country is something we are deeply grateful for.”
The winning bidder was Rick Hendrick, the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. He is also chairman of Hendrick Technical Solutions, which manufactures the rollover protection system (ROPS) and chassis exoskeleton for the ISV-U.
“The GM Defense ISV-U is an impressive piece of engineering, built to perform in the world’s most demanding conditions,” Hendrick said. “But what makes today’s auction truly special is what it represents. Honoring the men and women who serve our country and supporting the mission of the Medal of Honor Foundation is incredibly meaningful. I take tremendous pride in our partnership with GM Defense and the role Hendrick Technical Solutions plays in the ISV program. I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of remarkable vehicles in my lifetime, but this one carries a special kind of meaning.”
During the auction, Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter addressed the audience and formally opened bidding, reinforcing the significance of the moment:
“I stand here today as a humble representative of our nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients. The Medal of Honor is a beautiful burden of immeasurable weight. It has never been about any one of us – it is worn by the few, for the many. It inspires a standard of courage, service, and sacrifice – ideals we all share a responsibility to uphold. It transcends every battle, every generation, every rank, and every race, and it represents America at its best... Thank you for supporting the Medal of Honor Foundation and its mission of honoring the past and inspiring the future. And remember this: in life, you may never fully see how far the ripples of your impact will go.”
Proceeds from the auction will directly support the Medal of Honor Foundation in advancing the work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, including programs that care for living Medal of Honor Recipients and their families, preserve the legacy of the Medal, and project its values of courage, sacrifice, and service to future generations.
“The example set by the Medal of Honor is enduring. What is not guaranteed is how we as a nation help carry that legacy forward,” said Chad Graham, Executive Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “The [Congressional Medal of Honor] Society is not congressionally funded – this work depends on the belief and investment of committed partners like GM Defense and the generosity of patriotic individuals like Mr. Hendrick. What happened here today gives us the strength to protect this Medal and preserve its meaning, care for Recipients and their families, and ensure the standard it represents continues to shape the character of our country for generations to come.”
The auction was made possible through the collaboration of GM Defense, Barrett-Jackson, and the Medal of Honor Foundation, with support from Medal of Honor Recipients who were present to represent the enduring legacy of the Medal.
About GM Defense LLC GM
Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense's technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.
About the Medal of Honor Foundation
The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, holding a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator, established to support and advance the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. As the Society's fundraising and philanthropic arm, the Foundation exists to honor and preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor by providing essential financial resources that sustain its programs and extend its reach.
Through its steadfast support of the Society's educational initiatives, outreach efforts, and national recognition programs, the Foundation helps ensure that the values embodied in the Medal – Integrity, Courage, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism – to inspire generations of Americans. In doing so, the Foundation plays a vital role in protecting the history of the Medal, amplifying the voices of its Recipients, and promoting a deeper understanding of the character and service that define our nation. To learn more and donate, please visit www.cmohs.org.
Medal of Honor Recipients Matt Williams, Terry Richardson, and David Bellavia following the auction of the ISV-U.
PALM BEACH, Fla. – GM Defense and the Medal of Honor Foundation announced the successful auction of the first-ever publicly offered Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach generated $1,000,000 with 100% of the hammer price to benefit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
The one-of-a-kind 2026 ISV-U – engineered by GM Defense to meet U.S. Army and allied requirements for an ultra-light tactical vehicle – was presented in a custom livery that pays tribute to the legacy of the Medal of Honor and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The vehicle crossed the auction block before a national audience, accompanied by four of the nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients in attendance – David Bellavia, Kyle Carpenter, Terry Richardson, and Matt Williams – marking a historic moment at the intersection of American engineering, military heritage, and philanthropy.
“GM Defense is proud to stand alongside the Medal of Honor Foundation and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society,” said Steve duMont, President, GM Defense. “To see this vehicle generate meaningful support for those who have given so much in service to our country is something we are deeply grateful for.”
GM Defense ISV-U on stage at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction.
The winning bidder was Rick Hendrick, the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. He is also chairman of Hendrick Technical Solutions, which manufactures the rollover protection system (ROPS) and chassis exoskeleton for the ISV-U.
“The GM Defense ISV-U is an impressive piece of engineering, built to perform in the world’s most demanding conditions,” Hendrick said. “But what makes today’s auction truly special is what it represents. Honoring the men and women who serve our country and supporting the mission of the Medal of Honor Foundation is incredibly meaningful. I take tremendous pride in our partnership with GM Defense and the role Hendrick Technical Solutions plays in the ISV program. I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of remarkable vehicles in my lifetime, but this one carries a special kind of meaning.”
During the auction, Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter addressed the audience and formally opened bidding, reinforcing the significance of the moment:
“I stand here today as a humble representative of our nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients. The Medal of Honor is a beautiful burden of immeasurable weight. It has never been about any one of us – it is worn by the few, for the many. It inspires a standard of courage, service, and sacrifice – ideals we all share a responsibility to uphold. It transcends every battle, every generation, every rank, and every race, and it represents America at its best... Thank you for supporting the Medal of Honor Foundation and its mission of honoring the past and inspiring the future. And remember this: in life, you may never fully see how far the ripples of your impact will go.”
From left to right- Medal of Honor Recipients Terry Richardson, David Bellavia, Matt Williams and Kyle Carpenter; Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company; Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports and Steve duMont, President of GM Defense.
Proceeds from the auction will directly support the Medal of Honor Foundation in advancing the work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, including programs that care for living Medal of Honor Recipients and their families, preserve the legacy of the Medal, and project its values of courage, sacrifice, and service to future generations.
“The example set by the Medal of Honor is enduring. What is not guaranteed is how we as a nation help carry that legacy forward,” said Chad Graham, Executive Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “The [Congressional Medal of Honor] Society is not congressionally funded – this work depends on the belief and investment of committed partners like GM Defense and the generosity of patriotic individuals like Mr. Hendrick. What happened here today gives us the strength to protect this Medal and preserve its meaning, care for Recipients and their families, and ensure the standard it represents continues to shape the character of our country for generations to come.”
The auction was made possible through the collaboration of GM Defense, Barrett-Jackson, and the Medal of Honor Foundation, with support from Medal of Honor Recipients who were present to represent the enduring legacy of the Medal.
About GM Defense LLC
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense's technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.
About the Medal of Honor Foundation
The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, holding a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator, established to support and advance the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. As the Society's fundraising and philanthropic arm, the Foundation exists to honor and preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor by providing essential financial resources that sustain its programs and extend its reach.
Through its steadfast support of the Society's educational initiatives, outreach efforts, and national recognition programs, the Foundation helps ensure that the values embodied in the Medal – Integrity, Courage, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism – to inspire generations of Americans. In doing so, the Foundation plays a vital role in protecting the history of the Medal, amplifying the voices of its Recipients, and promoting a deeper understanding of the character and service that define our nation. To learn more and donate, please visit www.cmohs.org.
