For the last 100 years, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been an important military memorial in the United States. This monument followed the example of tombs in the United Kingdom and France. Today, several countries around the world have similar memorials.
But what is the tomb, and why is it significant?
What Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument that serves as a resting place for unidentified U.S. soldiers who died in combat. Starting after World War I, unidentified remains from major wars have been symbolically buried in the sarcophagus, where they serve as reminders of the sacrifices made in war by countless soldiers. The tomb allows people to pay respects to soldiers throughout history.
What Does the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Represent?
The memorial represents unidentified soldiers who died in war, honoring the selfless acts of countless unknown individuals. The monument has 4 marble sides. On one end, 3 Greek figures stand united, representing peace, valor, and victory. On the opposite end, the monument reads, “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.” On each of the sides, 3 wreaths are carved to represent major battles fought in World War I. In front of the tomb, marble slabs mark the resting places of soldiers from WorldWar II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Where Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States?
The tomb is located in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. It sits atop a hill at the center of the cemetery, which overlooks the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. The Arlington National Cemetery resides alongside the Potomac River, where it has served as the final resting place for military personnel since the American Civil War.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Around the World
The tomb located at Arlington National Cemetery is not the only location where unidentified fallen soldiers are honored across the globe. Other cemeteries and monuments are located in these countries:
- Westminster Abbey—London, England
- Arc de Triomphe—Paris, France
- Piazza Venezia—Rome, Italy
- The Unknown Soldier Memorial—Athens, Greece
- Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—Ottawa, Canada
- Australian War Memorial—Canberra, Australia
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—Warsaw, Poland
What Is the Story behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Many of the soldiers who have perished in war throughout history have been left unidentified. In some wars, scarce records made it impossible to name the dead, and during other wars, damage to the bodies or inability to care for the deceased amidst combat have left others unnamed. In earlier wars, the deceased were often buried in mass or roadside graves.
Whilst unknown for certain, it’s estimated that nearly half of all soldiers that died during the US Civil War (1861–1865) were never identified. Union and Confederate soldiers were often buried in mass graves or roadside graves along marching routes or battlefields, meaning that it was almost impossible to recover and identify all who were lost in battle.
The U.S. government has since taken steps to document soldiers and pay proper respect to those who lose their lives. Military dog tags and detailed military records help identify deceased soldiers, but despite these measures, some remains are still difficult to identify.
World War I brought with it waves of soldiers who died overseas. The debate arose: Was it practical to bring their bodies back home? How could such a logistical challenge be tackled? France and the United Kingdom decided against bringing the bodies home. Instead, they opted to symbolically bury one unidentified soldier in a tomb that would represent the masses of soldiers lost.
The U.S. government also decided to dedicate a memorial to unidentified soldiers, like those in France and the United Kingdom. They also allowed families the option to ship the remains of their loved ones home or to bury them in cemeteries abroad.
The Creation of the Tomb at Arlington National Cemetery
In December 1920, New York Congressman and World War I veteran Hamilton Fish Jr. proposed that the country should bury an unidentified American soldier in a special tomb at Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose was to honor a nameless hero who symbolizes the unity and sacrifice of all Americans in the war.
In October 1921, 4 unknown U.S. military personnel were dug up from various American military cemeteries in France. On October 23, 1921, the 4 coffins were transported to the city hall of Ch lons-sur-Marne (now known as Ch lons-en-Champagne), France.
As part of a selection ceremony at the city hall, one body was chosen to be interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and become a representation of the sacrifice of all Americans who fought in wars.
On Armistice Day, 11 November 1921, President Warren G. Harding held a state funeral to bury the soldier and honor the sacrifices made by others like him.
As the United States found itself drawn into additional conflicts over time, it was proposed that to honor the fallen from each war, an unidentified American soldier should be interred to symbolize the sacrifice of those who had served.
Who Is Buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
To date, 4 people have been buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 1 each for World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. However, currently there are 3 unidentified fallen soldiers buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The body buried on behalf of soldiers in Vietnam was later exhumed. DNA testing helped identify the body as Lt. Michael JosephBlassie, and it was returned home. The crypt for Vietnam was left vacant.
Why Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guarded?
For 5 years, no one guarded the tomb. However, tourists weren’t always respectful at the site, so guards were installed in 1926. Since then, the tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Who Guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are volunteers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the “Old Guard.”
It is a rare honor to serve as one of the tomb guards, and it requires dedication. The guards live in quarters below the tomb and must meet specific qualifications, including rigorous training and designated heights. While on duty, guards maintain 90 steps per minute, marching in 21-step intervals to represent the honored 21-gun salute.
The changing of theguard occurs every hour to every half hour throughout the year, and visitors can watch the ceremony take place.
How Can You Honor U.S. Soldiers and Veterans?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier serves as a reminder of the sacrifices soldiers have made throughout U.S. history and honors soldiers for their bravery. On Veterans Day this year, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be celebrating 100 years since the site was memorialized. Even if you can’t visit the memorial in person, you can still follow events and updates of the tomb to celebrate soldiers’ lives.
You can also learn about the soldiers in your family by searching soldier burial and veteran grave registration collections. Take an extra moment on Veterans Day to remember their lives and sacrifices. Upload interviews, photos, and anything else you have to FamilySearch Memories, or explore memories that others have shared to honor them.
Search Soldier Burial and Veteran Grave Registration Collections
For more information about searching United States military cemetery records, take a look at the FamilySearch Wiki. This article has a lot of great information about these records and other places where you can find similar records. The National Cemetery Administration and the American Battle Monument Commission also have searchable databases on their websites that can be useful in your search.
