Who is Buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a military tomb located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States. It is a symbol of respect and honor for the unknown soldiers who have died in combat and have not been identified. The tomb is dedicated to the memory of the unidentified remains of American service members who have died in combat, and it is one of the most sacred and revered sites in the United States.
The Origin of the Tomb
The idea of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was first proposed in 1921 by Major General Charles P. Summerall, the Commandant of the United States Army. Summerall believed that the United States should honor the unknown soldiers who had died in World War I by burying them with full military honors. The tomb was designed by architect Lorimer Rich and sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, and it was built using white marble and granite.
The First Unknown Soldier
The first unknown soldier to be buried in the tomb was a World War I soldier who was interred on November 11, 1921. The soldier was identified only as "X-1" and was buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the United States Army Air Corps. The tomb was opened to the public on May 30, 1921, and it has been a popular tourist destination ever since.
The Unknown Soldiers of World War II and the Korean War
In 1956, the remains of an unknown soldier from World War II were buried in the tomb. The soldier was identified as "X-2" and was buried with full military honors. In 1958, the remains of an unknown soldier from the Korean War were also buried in the tomb, and he was identified as "X-3".
The Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War
In 1984, the remains of an unknown soldier from the Vietnam War were buried in the tomb. The soldier was identified as "X-84" and was buried with full military honors. The remains of the unknown soldier were exhumed from the tomb in 1998 and were identified as Master Sergeant Michael Blassie, a Jewish-American airman who was shot down over France in 1944.
The Current Unknown Soldier
The current unknown soldier is a Marine who was killed in action during the Iraq War. He was buried in the tomb on May 30, 2018, and was identified as "X-103". The Marine was buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the United States Marine Corps.
The Tomb’s Security
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard". The guards are responsible for ensuring the tomb’s security and for maintaining the tomb’s appearance. The guards are also responsible for performing the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place every 30 minutes.
Interesting Facts
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is visited by over 2 million people each year.
- The tomb is surrounded by a 21-foot high granite wall.
- The tomb’s marble is quarried from Italy.
- The tomb’s granite is quarried from Georgia.
- The tomb’s soil is from France, Belgium, and Italy.
- The tomb’s flag is changed every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.
- The tomb’s guards are responsible for 21,000 steps around the tomb each day.
Conclusion
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbol of respect and honor for the unknown soldiers who have died in combat and have not been identified. The tomb is a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made by American service members and their families. The tomb’s guards are responsible for ensuring the tomb’s security and for maintaining the tomb’s appearance. The tomb is a popular tourist destination and is visited by over 2 million people each year.
Table: The Unknown Soldiers
| Unknown Soldier | War | Date of Burial |
|---|---|---|
| X-1 | World War I | November 11, 1921 |
| X-2 | World War II | May 30, 1956 |
| X-3 | Korean War | May 30, 1958 |
| X-84 | Vietnam War | May 30, 1984 |
| X-103 | Iraq War | May 30, 2018 |
Bullets: The Tomb’s Security
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment.
• The guards are responsible for ensuring the tomb’s security and for maintaining the tomb’s appearance.
• The guards perform the Changing of the Guard ceremony every 30 minutes.
• The guards are responsible for 21,000 steps around the tomb each day.
• The guards are equipped with M-16 rifles and are trained to respond to any situation.
