Tomb of the Unknowns—Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Basic Facts Arlington National Cemetery’s Famed Final Resting Place

Nov 11, 2009

Learn basic facts and information about the history of Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many people who faithfully served in America’s military. The Tomb of the Unknowns symbolizes and memorializes those who did not return from war. This Tomb is guarded at all times by Tomb Guard Sentinals.

The Official Name for the Tomb Housing Unknown Soldiers in the U.S.

This frequently visited tombstone in the Memorial Amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery does not have an official name. It was originally called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to memorialize an unnamed World War I soldier.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill on August 3, 1956 to choose and memoralize unknown soldiers from World War II and Korea at the famous tomb. Many began to refer to the site as the Tomb of the Unknowns after other wars’ unknown soldiers were interred in crypts west of the first grave.

World War I—Unknown Soldier

Army Sergeant Edward F. Younger chose one of four identical caskets exhumed in France. He placed a spray of white roses on the third casket from the left on October 24, 1921. The USS Olympia transported this unnamed soldier where President Warren G. Harding presided at the interment ceremony on November 11, 1921, which was at that time called Armistice Day. November 11 later became known as Veterans Day.

World War II—Unknown Soldier

Remains of World War II Unknowns, one from the Pacific Theater and one from the European Theater, were placed in identical caskets on the USS Canberra. Navy Hospitalman 1st Class William R. Charette selected the World War II Unknown while the other casket was buried at sea.

Korean War—Unknown Soldier

Army Master Sergeant Ned Lyle chose from four unknown American soldiers who served in the Korean War (Conflict). These remains were exhumed from Hawaii’s National Cemetery of the Pacific.

The Unknowns from both World War II and Korea were laid to rest on May 30, 1958 in a ceremony led by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Vietnam War—Unknown Soldier Later Identified

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Allan Jay Kellogg, Jr. selected the Vietnam Unknown. President Ronald Reagan officiated on Memorial Day, May 28, 1984. On May 14, 1998, the remains of this soldier was identified as Michael Joseph Blassie and the Vietnam Unknown crypt now remains empty.

America’s Tomb of the Unknowns

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, called by some as the Tomb of the Unknowns, provides a final and solomn resting place for unknown servicemen from World War I, World War II, and Korea as Tomb Guard Sentinals meticulously guard the Tomb 24 hours/day 365 days/year in any type of weather. Although the Vietnam Unknown was later identified and removed, many Americans and others visit this famous gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the all soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country who may remain unnamed but never forgotten.

The copyright of the article Tomb of the Unknowns—Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Military History is owned by Katrena Wells. Permission to republish Tomb of the Unknowns—Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.