The “Unknowns”, interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, are United States military personnel who gave their lives in the country’s wars without their remains having been identified. As seen below, their numbers include America’s most highly decorated serviceman, ever.
The Most Highly Decorated Serviceman in US History
One of the little known facts about the US servicemen buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is that their ranks include America’s most decorated serviceman, ever. The question “who is the most decorated serviceman in the history of the United States?” would most likely elicit responses such as Audie Murphy or Daniel J. Daly. Both of them have earned the Medal of Honor – in the case of Daly, twice. That is on top of numerous other awards.
However, neither Murphy nor Daly has ever been as highly decorated as the Unknown Soldier of the First World War. He is a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military award. He was also awarded the highest military decoration by several other nations allied with the US in WWI. The foreign awards include Britain’s Victoria Cross, and France’s Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre.
Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Over the years, the Unknown Soldier of the First World War has been joined by other Unknowns. They arrived in the aftermath of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Each has been awarded the Medal of Honor, presented by the US President presiding at his funeral and burial. The Unknowns have been guarded continuously, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, since 1937. First, by troops of the 3rd Cavalry, and since 1948, by soldiers of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard”.
Among The Old Guard, service as Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is deemed one of the highest honors. Sentinels do not wear rank insignia while posted to guard the Tomb, in order to avoid the possibility of outranking any of the Unknowns, whatever their rank might have been in life. Only the Relief Commander and the Assistant Relief Commanders wear rank insignia, but only when presiding at the changing of the guard. When they themselves are posted on guard duty, they don a separate uniform without rank insignia.
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Some Sources & Further Reading
History Halls – John Lincoln Clem, the US Army’s Youngest Sergeant
Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Frequently Asked Questions
US Army – A Brief Timeline of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
US Department of Defense – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
