GM Defense Raises $1 Million to Help Medal of Honor Winners - See the Special Military Vehicle it Auctioned

A GM Defense vehicle just sold for $1 million at auction and the proceeds will go to help Medal of Honor winners. The buyer, Rick Hendrick, is a familiar face at Barrett-Jackson auctions, but he is best known for paying millions for new Corvettes. The one-of-a-kind 2026 Infantry Squad Utility Vehicle was engineered by GM Defense to meet U.S. Army and allied requirements for an ultra-light tactical vehicle. This special 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. Don’t worry, they aren’t sharing any military secrets or communication equipment. 

What is an Infantry Squad Vehicle and Why It is Important to Rick Hendrick

I have written at length about the creation of the Infantry Squad Vehicles. GM created its Defense subsidiary to work with the defense department on creating vehicles that meet their specialized needs. GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. The Infantry Squad Vehicle is the basis for an entire family of troop carriers. It is based on the Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup rather than the Chevrolet Silverado because the military needs the truck to be small enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for air transportability. It also must be light enough to be to be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. The ISVs have to be agile enough to maneuver across rugged terrain and not roll over. The ISVs are a combination of off-roading trucks and race car technology. 

That’s where Rick Hendrick comes in. Hendrick is the 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.”

GM Defense Raising Money for Medal of Honor Foundation

Because the Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility (ISV-U) crossed the block at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction, 100% of the hammer price will benefit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Barrett-Jackson doesn’t charge a consignment fee on charity offerings. 

Four of the nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients were in the audience to see the remarkable event. David Bellavia, Kyle Carpenter, Terry Richardson, and Matt Williams were there to witness the 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.” 

Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter formally opened bidding.

“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 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.”

Image by GM Defense

About the Author

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X  and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.