|
On Memorial Day 1958, another distinctive event took place in Arlington National Cemetery, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. Two unidentified men, one representing those of World War II and the other those of the Korean conflict, were interred beside the soldier whose casket had been placed there on Armistice Day in 1921. There were preliminary selections for the two new Unknown Soldiers.
Early in May at Epinal, France, thirteen caskets with bodies of men from all the American cemeteries in Europe and Africa waited side by side. General Edward O'Neill, with battle decorations for three assault landings, walked along solemnly. After pausing with bowed head, the general laid a red and white wreath on the fifth casket from the left. A bugler sounded taps; the selected body was flown to Naples and placed aboard the United States destroyer Blandy.
A similar event occurred at Hickam Air Force Base near Honolulu, when Air Force Colonel Glenn T. Eagleston, a veteran of ninety-six combat missions in World War II, selected the unknown man from the Pacific Theater. He did so by placing a Hawaiian lei of white carnations on top of one of the six flag-draped coffins. The body of a Korean fighting man was selected at the National Cemetery near Honolulu, and the two caskets were carried home on the cruiser, Boston.
At sea off the Virginia capes, the Blandy and Boston met the Canberra, to which the three bodies were transferred. The final choice between the two bodies from the Pacific area was made by a navy hospitalman third class, William R. Charette (a medal of honor winner), who laid a wreath on the coffin at his right. The Canberra steamed farther out to sea, and four chaplains, in robes of different faiths, said prayers. When the bearers tilted the platform, the shrouded body of an Unknown Soldier slipped into the waves.
The Blandy bore the other two bronze caskets up the Potomac river; a composite guard of honor from the Army, Navy, and Air Force escorted the hearses along the way to the Capitol where many citizens had gathered to honor these dead heroes. As soon as the bodies were taken up the Capitol steps, the Stars and Stripes flew at half-mast over the building. For one day the caskets lay in state in the rotunda while countless Americans passed by in silent tribute.
The two Unknowns were conveyed to Arlington, on Memorial Day, May 30, 1958, followed by units of the Armed Forces, many civilian officials, and members of the diplomatic corps. There was subdued band music along the way; artillery salutes sounded, and jets flew overhead. The two caskets were placed above open crypts, flanking that of the original Unknown Soldier of the First World War.
|
|
