Page 6 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, November 5, 2021

6 November 5, 2021 News DESERT LIGHTNING NEWS S. NEVADA
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
T T m b o f t h e U n k n o w n S o l d i e r
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had its origins in World War I
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by David Vergun four American cemeteries in France:
Army News Aisne-Maine, Meuse-Argonne, Somme,
and St. Mihiel.
Although there were unknown Sol- “Each was examined to ensure that
diers who died on battle elds through- the person had been a member of the
out U.S. history, the Tomb of the Un- American Expeditionary Forces, that
known Soldier had its genesis in World he had died of wounds in combat, and
War I. that there were no clues to his identity
In 1916, a er a British army chaplain whatsoever,” O’Donnell said.
noticed a grave marked “An Unknown After mortuary preparation, the
British Soldier,” he got the idea for what bodies were placed in identical caskets
would become the United Kingdom’s and shipping cases. The reason for
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. at this elaborate proceeding, O’Donnell
memorial was dedicated Nov. 11, 1920, explained, was to ensure that the one
two years a er the armistice that ended unknown Soldier chosen would be truly
World War I. a random selection, as this unknown
e idea took hold and spread among would represent the many other un-
other wartime allies, including France, knowns. is followed the practice used Army photograph
Italy and the U.S. On Nov. 11, 1921, the by the other allies in their own process Body bearers carry the unknown Soldier from the USS Olympia to to a horse-drawn
U.S. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of selecting their own unknowns. caisson that transported the body to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 9, 1921. Among the saluting
was dedicated in Arlington National On Oct. 23, all four caskets arrived o cers is Gen. John Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces.
Cemetery. by truck at the city hall of Chalons-
Military historian Patrick K. sur-Marne. Sgt. Edward F. Younger of that the roses that had been placed on engineer and a Native American; 1st
O’Donnell researched the backstory to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, the casket remained there and were Sgt. Harry Taylor, a cavalryman; Sgt.
that dedication, including the stories 50th Infantry, American Forces in Ger- later buried with the unknown Soldier Samuel Wood ll, an infantryman and
of the Soldiers who brought the un- many, was given the honors of selecting in Arlington. Medal of Honor recipient; and 1st Sgt.
known Soldiers’ remains to Arlington. the unknown Soldier the next day. Following the ceremony, the casket Louis Razga, from the Coast Artillery
He published his ndings in the book Younger himself had been wounded of the unknown Soldier was carried in a Corps.
“The Unknowns: The Untold Story in battle and had received the Distin- horse-drawn caisson through Chalons- Additionally, there were two Sailors
of America’s Unknown Soldier and guished Service Cross for valor. sur-Marne to the railroad station, where and one Marine who participated.
WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who An elaborate ceremony followed, it was placed aboard a special funeral ose included Chief Gunner’s Mate
Brought Him Home.” O’Donnell related. Younger, carrying train provided by the French govern- James Delaney, a torpedoman; Chief
Selecting the Unknown a spray of white roses presented by a ment and taken via Paris to Le Havre, Water Tender Charles Leo O’Connor;
On Sept. 29, 1921, the War De- Frenchman who had lost two sons in the O’Donnell said. Along the way, more and Gunnery Sgt. Ernest A. Janson, a
partment ordered the selection of an war, led the procession. As the French French and U.S. units and dignitaries Medal of Honor recipient.
unknown Soldier from those buried band in the courtyard played a hymn, honored the unknown Soldier in an Pershing, the body bearers, and
in France. e selection process was Younger walked around the caskets elaborate and digni ed fashion. the unknown Soldier had come “full
carried out by the U.S. Quartermaster several times before placing the roses Finally, on Oct. 25, the unknown circle,” O’Donnell said. ose service
Corps, in cooperation with the French on one to indicate his selection. Soldier was carried aboard the cruiser men had le America’s shores years
and U.S. Navy, O’Donnell said. Younger then saluted the chosen USS Olympia back to the United States. earlier. While they were prepared to
ree weeks later, a Quartermaster unknown American, a er which the On Nov. 9, the Olympia arrived at the sacri ce themselves, they hadn’t at the
Corps team exhumed four bodies of U.S. and French o cials came forward Washington Navy Yard. On hand to re- time fully comprehended the true cost
unidenti ed Americans from each of to pay their respects. O’Donnell noted ceive the body of the unknown Soldier of war. While one had paid the ultimate
were all the service chiefs, the secretary price, O’Donnell said, each had come
of war, and General of the Armies John home forever changed by battles won
J. Pershing, O’Donnell said. and friends lost.
e procession, led by the 3rd Cav- Today, the Tomb of the Unknown
alry Regiment, accompanied the horse- Soldier is guarded by Soldiers of the
drawn caisson containing the unknown 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “ e Old
Soldier to the Capitol rotunda, where Guard.” Since 1921, two other unknown
more honors were bestowed by dig- Soldiers have joined the World War I
nitaries, including President Warren unknown Soldier: one from World War
G. Harding, and ordinary American II and one from the Korean War. e
citizens. selection process was similar to the rst.
On Nov. 11, eight highly decorated At one time, a fourth unknown,
World War I veterans, handpicked by representing the Vietnam War, was
Pershing himself, escorted the un- entombed there as well, O’Donnell said.
known Soldier to Arlington National However, that service member was later
Cemetery, O’Donnell said. identi ed as Air Force Capt. Michael J.
ey included ve Soldiers: Color Blassie. He was exhumed and reburied
Sgt. James W. Dell, an artilleryman; in his home state of Missouri, per his
Cpl. Thomas D. Saunders, a combat survivors’ wishes.
Army photograph