With the debate over whether the Unknown Soldier interned at Westminster should be awarded the VC, a short thread on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
On the 30/05/21, four unknowns were exhumed from American cemeteries in France. Aisne-Maine, Meuse-Argonne, The Somme and St Mihiel. Sgt. Edward F. Younger selected the Unknown at the city hall in Châlons-en-Champagne on the 24/10/21. placing white roses on one of the caskets.
On 11/11/1921, the Unknown Soldier was interned at Arlington National Cemetery. During the ceremony, the Unknown Soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty, on behalf of King George V. The medal was interned with the Unknown Soldier.
On 11/11/1921, the Unknown Soldier was interned at Arlington National Cemetery. During the ceremony, the Unknown Soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty, on behalf of King George V. The medal was interned with the Unknown Soldier.
On 11/11/1921, the Unknown Soldier was interned at Arlington National Cemetery. During the ceremony, the Unknown Soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty, on behalf of King George V. The medal was interned with the Unknown Soldier.
Earlier that year on the 4th March 1921, John 'Black Jack' Pershing, General of the Armies, conferred the U.S. Medal of Honor on the Unknown Soldier at Westminster.
Earlier that year on the 4th March 1921, John 'Black Jack' Pershing, General of the Armies, conferred the U.S. Medal of Honor on the Unknown Soldier at Westminster.
Earlier that year on the 4th March 1921, John 'Black Jack' Pershing, General of the Armies, conferred the U.S. Medal of Honor on the Unknown Soldier at Westminster.
On a side note, John Pershing is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his Grandson Richard Pershing who was killed in Vietnam 17/02/1968 serving with the 101st Airborne.
On a side note, John Pershing is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his Grandson Richard Pershing who was killed in Vietnam 17/02/1968 serving with the 101st Airborne.
On a side note, John Pershing is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his Grandson Richard Pershing who was killed in Vietnam 17/02/1968 serving with the 101st Airborne.
On a side note, John Pershing is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his Grandson Richard Pershing who was killed in Vietnam 17/02/1968 serving with the 101st Airborne.
On a side note, John Pershing is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his Grandson Richard Pershing who was killed in Vietnam 17/02/1968 serving with the 101st Airborne.
Were the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington differs from the UK is that there is an unknown interned from not only the FWW, but from WW2, Korea and Vietnam.
In 1956, President Eisenhower signed a bill to select and pay tribute to the Unknowns of WW2 and Korea. WW2 Unknowns were selected from cemeteries in Europe, Africa, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The Korean Unknown was taken from Hawaii. Both were awarded the Medal of Honor.
There were very few Unknowns from the Vietnam War due to advances in science and the ability to identify unknown dead, however Ronald Reagan wanting to honour Vietnam Veterans, pushed for the interment of a Vietnam War Unknown. On 28/05/84 the Unknown was interned at Arlington.
However, in 1998 the Vietnam War Unknown was exhumed following a campaign by Ted Sampley, a POW/MIA activist, believing the remains were of USAF 1Lt. Michael Blassie, who was shot down near An Lộc, Vietnam, in 72. Mitochondrial DNA testing confirmed the remains to be Blassie
Blassie was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri. It was decided that the crypt would remain empty and the slab now has the inscription:

"Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen"
Blassie was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri. It was decided that the crypt would remain empty and the slab now has the inscription:"Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen"
Blassie was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri. It was decided that the crypt would remain empty and the slab now has the inscription:"Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen"
Blassie was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri. It was decided that the crypt would remain empty and the slab now has the inscription:"Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen"
*postscript*
This is not an argument for or against the VC debate. I just thought it was interesting and thought I would share it.
I have been scolded for referring to the 'Unknown Warrior' as the 'Unknown Soldier'.
My apologies for any offence I have caused...
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