The Tomb of the Unknowns is a central feature of
Arlington National Cemetery.
Following War World I, Britain and France each selected an unknown serviceman
to bury with
full military honors. The American commanding general in France proposed a
similar project to the Army Chief of Staff, who denied the request. The
following year, a New York Congressman introduced a resolution calling for
the return of an unknown American soldier
killed in France and his interment in a tomb to be constructed at Arlington.
This effort succeeded; on Nov. 11, 1921 (3 years after the end of WWI),
President Harding officiated at interment ceremonies at Arlington's Memorial
Amphitheater. The soldier represents all of the unidentified and missing
from World War I.
On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified Americans -- one killed in WWII,
the other in Korea -- were interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier
of World War I. In May of 1984, President Ronald Reagan presided over the
interment of an unknown Vietnam veteran, however 14 years later he was
returned to his family and buried in his hometown after DNA testing
provided positive identification. Each honoree was presented with the Medal
of Honor at the time of interment. Their medals and the flags which covered
their caskets are displayed within the Memorial Amphitheater.
The Old Guard
The Tomb is guarded day and night by members of a
special platoon of the 3rd United States Infantry. "The Old Guard"
is not the same as the Tomb detail, as normally reported. Rather, the
"Tomb Guard Platoon" is part of The Old Guard. There are three
separate "Reliefs" (teams) assigned to the Tomb Guard Platoon, each
consisting of 9 enlisted soldiers with the same break-down as a Light
Infantry Squad. The heights of the soldiers in each Relief are roughly equal, with the tallest
assigned to the 1st Relief. At the tomb, the sentinel crosses a
63-foot rubber-surfaced walkway in exactly 21 steps. He then faces the Tomb
for 21 seconds, turns again, and pauses an additional 21 seconds before
retracing his steps. As a gesture against intrusion on their post, the
sentinel always bears his weapon away from the Tomb.
About Veterans Day
The armistice of World War I was signed at 11:00 AM on the 11th
hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, and became a US national
holiday in 1926. Of course, WWI did not end up being the "War to End All
Wars." In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as
Veterans Day. So next Veterans Day, remember
that the original "Unknown Soldier" was interred on that date in 1921.
Recommended Resources
| Official website of The Tomb Guard website | Arlington National Cemetery Tomb website official unofficial |
| Tomb of the Unknowns History, from the website of the Society of the Honor Guard website | Society of the Honor Guard website |
| Video:
Changing of the Guard |
VHS Video |
Test Your Knowledge
This test covers the information in this article. Read each question and decide in your head what the answer is. Click the empty cell in the last column to see the correct answer.
| Tomb of the Unknowns | Where is the Tomb of the Unknowns located? | Arlington National Cemetery |
| The first soldier was interred exactly 3 years after what event? | The end of World War I - Armistice Day 1918 | |
| True or False: "The Old Guard" refers to all who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns | False. It is a special platoon within The Old Guard - The Tomb Guard - which guards it | |
| Which president presided over the interment of the WWI soldier? | President (Warren Gamaliel) Harding |
Click Here to go to the "Test Your Knowledge" page covering all articles included in this week's theme on DailyUSHistory.com.
Home Search Contact Us About Links Shop Back to Top |
