Arlington National Cemetery Marks Centennial of Tomb of the Unknowns-- Part 2

 On November 11,  -- the anniversary of the war's end, celebrated as veterans Day in the United States -- the anonymous remains were interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, in the newly built Tomb of then Unknown Soldier, dedicated to all unidentified Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

In 1931-32  a craved marble superstructure was placed atop the tomb, completing the memorial familiar to  present-day visitors.

Since then Arlington burial details have interred American unknowns from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, though in 1998 the last one was exhumed, identified and returned to his family for reburial.

Guarding the memorial around the clock are select sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard").

Arlington National Cemetery plans several events to mark the centennial of the tomb, leading up to a formal ceremony on Veterans Day.  It invited the public to visit, pay silent respect and recall the men whose names remain a mystery but whose sacrifice must never be forgotten.

 

Arlington Marks Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknowns-- Part 1

From the July 2021 Military History magazine.

Arlington National Cemetery

Four identical caskets lay abreast in the room at City Hall in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, on October 24, 1921.  Each held the remains if an unidentified American soldier.  U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger had the solemn task of selecting one of them.

Approaching the caskets with a spray of white roses in hand, the decorated, twice-wounded Younger circled them, then set the flowers down on the third coffin from the left.  He had chosen America's Unknown World War I soldier.

Thus began the long journey home for one of hundreds if American soldiers killed in Europe during World War I whose names are "known but to God."

The casket chosen by Younger was transported by caisson and train to the port of Le Havre and placed aboard the protected cruiser USS Olympia for transport across the Atlantic to the Washington Navy Yard.  (The USS Olympia was Admiral Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War where he gave the famous order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley.")

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 7: Everything Must be Perfect

Uniform prep takes several hours.  Everything must be perfect.  The all-wool uniforms are not about comfort, but about looks.  Brass buttons must be polished and shoes must be hand-shined.  The guards' M-14 rifle stocks are customized but the guns are not loaded.

The white gloves are wet to enable better control of the weapon during "the walk."  If a weapon is dropped on the plaza, you are subject to dismissal.

During his time as a Sentinel, Bill Hanna had to call out more than a few onlookers for not respecting the dignity of the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 6: "It Is Requested..."

And, in addition to standing guard at the Tombs, the Sentinel also makes the crowd on onlookers pay their respects also.  There are several videos on YouTube showing how the Sentinels do this.

One is at Tomb of the Unknown -- soldier yelling at laughing crowd.

The Sentinel stops marching and turns and faces the crowd and LOUDLY (not yelling) says, "It is requested that everyone maintain a level of silence and respect."

Well, I tell you, you could have heard the proverbial pin drop.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 5: Twenty-One

The Sentinels keep watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in heat, cold, rain -- and even hurricanes.  Three guard shifts work 24-hour shifts, each guarding the Tomb for one hour.

Everything is done in the number 21 because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed: the 21-gun salute.

The sentinel walks 21 steps behind the Tomb of the Unknowns, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps back and repeats the process.

The weapon always remains between the crowd and tomb to signify that the Sentinel stands between the tomb and any possible threat.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 4: Getting That Tomb Guard Identification Badge

Training to be a Sentinel is very difficult.and rigorous.  It involves learning the history of the Tomb of the Unknowns, ceremonial steps, cadence, military bearing and weapon training.  A person completing this successfully is awarded a Tomb Guard Identification Badge.

This honor is awarded to very few and involves a lifelong responsibility.  Any disgrace by the individual, during or after their service will cause the badge to be revoked and it will be removed from the badge board and in its place is a marker reading "Revoked."  All pictures of the person will also be removed.

Since 1948, only 655 soldiers have earned the Sentinel badge and less than a handful are from Indiana.  Hanna has badge No. 441.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 3: A Servant of the Unknowns

Indiana native Bill Hanna served on the guard of the Unknowns (also known as the sentinel) from 1996 to 1999.

Sentinels are forbidden to touch  he tomb out of respect and to protect the tomb from anyone with the intent of damaging it -- with deadly force if necessary.

When Hanna enlisted in the Army, he had hopes of being an airborne infantryman.  However, he ended up in a presidential escort unit and then volunteered for sentinel duty in 1996.  he says:  "You are below the Unknowns and anyone else who comes to visit in the terms of the citizens of the United States, you are a servant of theirs and a servant of other veterans who have given a lot more than you have in most cases."

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 2: Vietnam War Unknown's Name Is Found With DNA

The first unidentified U.S. soldier from World War I was placed in the plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater in 1921.  (The body was carried from France to the United States in the USS Olympia of Spanish-American War fame.)

A simple message is affixed to the memorial, "Here rests in honored glory and American soldier known but to God."

Nearby are the crypts of the Unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Twenty years ago the remains of the Vietnam soldier was exhumed for DNA testing and found to be Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie and he was later buried in St. Louis.  The Vietnam crypt now sits empty and since DNA samples are obtained from soldiers today, it is unlikely we'll have another unknown soldier after Vietnam.  Perhaps missing, but not unknown.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-- Part 1: "The Old Guard" Keeps Watch

From the May 28, 2018, Indianapolis Star  'Haunting obligation' for tomb guardian" by Dawn Mitchell.

Hoosier watched over unidentified fallen.  Bill Hanna was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 1996-1999.

Very appropriate for Memorial Day.

"Amid the peaceful and serene landscape of Arlington National Cemetery, the cadence from metal taps on the heels of soldiers marching in drill echoes off the monuments and headstones.

It is a sound that's occurred since 1948, when soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment or 'The Old Guard' began keeping their watch over the unidentified fallen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, or Tomb of the Unknowns."

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 3: Honor Guard at the Tomb

Today, the Tomb of the Unknowns has an honor guard 24 hours a day, regardless of weather.  On veterans Day, the president or some other high-ranking government official places a wreath at the tomb to honor those who have served their country.

In 1926, Congress passed a resolution that states, "the recurring anniversary of November 11, 1918, should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."

They further suggested the president make a proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day.

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 2: Tomb of the Unknowns

On the first Armistice Day, November 11, 1919,  business was halted at 11 a.m., just as the war halted at 11 a.m..

In 1921, another significant event occurred on November 11.  On this date the remains of an unidentified American soldier, who had lost his life in World War I, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  On that same day, the remains of other soldiers who had lost their lives and couldn't be identified were laid to rest in their countries.

A French soldier was entombed at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and an English soldier's remains were buried at Westminster Abbey in London.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been maintained as a national monument (and a very fitting one), but it is now known as the Tomb of the Unknowns when remains of unidentified from other branches of service and wars were also entombed.

Bits O' History: Tomb of the Unknown-- Last Trip of USS Enterprise

1.  TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN--  Oct. 29, 2012, ABC News.  An inspirational picture making internet rounds of the elite soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.  Picture actually taken in September.  The Army's 3rd Infantry Regt., "The Old Guard" keeps watch 24-hours, 365 days a year, regardless since 1948.  They were on post during Hurricane Sandy.

2.  LAST TRIP FOR USS ENTERPRISE--  Nov. 21, 2012, KVOA, Tucson, Az--  The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier finished its 25th and final deployment Nov. 4th and returned to its home base at Norfolk, Va.  Its reactor will be removed and it will be towed to Washington State to be scrapped.  It was the Navy's second-oldest ship after the USS Constitution.

Scotty and Kirk Won't Be Happy--  Cooter

Michael Joseph Blassie (Formerly the Unknown Vietnam War Soldier)-- Part 2

This change to unknown classification came about because of discrepancies with the age and height of the remains.

The remains were designated as unknown service member from the Vietnam War on May 17, 1984 at Pearl Harbor and the remains transported to California and then to Washington, D.C. where it lay in state at the Capitol and was viewed by Vietnam War veterans, dignitaries and President and Mrs. Reagan.

An Army caisson carried the remains to the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery on May 28, 1984 where President Reagan presided at the funeral and presented the medal of Honor to the Unknown Vietnam Veteran.  The president acted as next-of-kin and accepted the internment flag at the end of the ceremony.

Michael Joseph Blassie (Formerly the Vietnam Unknown Soldier)--- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Michael Joseph Blassie (April 4, 1948-May 11, 1972)  US Air Force officer. Prior to his identification, he was known as the Unknown service member from the Vietnam War and buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

He graduated from St. Louis University High School and the USAF Academy in in 1970.  Served in the Air Force 8th Special Operations Squadron and was killed when his A-37B Dragonfly was shot down near An Loc, South Vietnam.

Five months later, partial skeletal remains were retrieved from the area and identified as those of Blassie, but further investigation at the time suggested it wasn't, so they were classified as unknown.

More to Come.