The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is an extension of the Hall of Fame created by the Arizona Department of Disabled American Veterans in 1978. In 1998, Unified Arizona Veterans, as a committee with representation open to all veterans organizations throughout the state, began formulating its own hall of fame to recognize men and women from all eras, all branches of service, and all walks of life. Following in the footsteps of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Arizona hoped to add its legacy to the eventual establishment of a National Veterans Hall of Fame.

Oversight of the Hall is provided by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS). The ADVS serves Arizona’s veterans on a daily basis through its seven branch offices and it’s Veterans Advisory Commission. The Hall is located at the Arizona State Veteran’s Home in Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

The inaugural induction ceremony, held on May 30, 2001, recognized 26 Medal of Honor recipients with Arizona ties, 13 of those being prior to Statehood in 1912, and 24 other distinguished Arizona veterans. Elected officials become eligible after they have been out of office for a period of at least two years or upon reaching age 70. Subsequent induction ceremonies will occur in conjunction with Veterans Day in November.

A committee of veterans serves as advisors to the Hall of Fame and selects inductees annually from nominations solicited from all veterans’ organizations and citizens of Arizona throughout the year.