Who is buried in the'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier'?

Question

If someone really wanted to break into it, would the guards know how to fight them off? Would the offender be shot on sight?

Answer 1

The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, although it has never been officially named) is a monument in Arlington National Cemetery, United States dedicated to the American soldiers who have died without their remains being identified. The 'Unknown Soldier' is a recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Victoria Cross.


The World War I unknown is below the marble sarcophagus. Other unknowns are beneath the white slabs on the ground (World War II, left; Korean War, right). A Vietnam War unknown was under the middle slab until 1998, when he was identified.In late 1920 the United Kingdom had buried one of their unknown warriors in Westminster Abbey. France soon followed with their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and on March 4, 1921, the United States Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. The tomb's design was selected in a competition won by architect Lorimer Rich.

The white marble sarcophagus has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, or columns, set into the surface. The stone was quarried in Marble, Colorado. Sculpted into the east panel which faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. Inscribed on the western panel of the Tomb are the words:

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD
The six wreaths carved into the north and south of the tomb represent six major battles of World War I.

The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II (north) and Korea (south). Between the two lies a crypt which once contained an unknown from Vietnam (middle). His remains were identified in 1998 as First Lieutenant Michael Blassie and removed. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.


as for the Tomb Guards:

Guard at the Tomb of the UnknownsIt is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a sentinel for the graves of the Unknown Soldiers. Less than 20% of all applicants are accepted. The sentinels do not wear rank insignia on their uniforms, so they do not outrank the Unknowns, whatever their rank may have been. Soldiers serving in other roles, like Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commander, do wear insignia of their rank.

The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since July 2, 1937. Inclement weather does not cause the watch to cease. The guards are extremely disciplined - even beyond what one might expect in soldiers - and will not show the effect the weather may have on them.


Tomb Guard in full uniform on a hot August dayThe Tomb Guards, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), make personal sacrifices to have the honor of serving. They work on a team rotation of 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, and 96 hours off. A guard takes an average of 6 hours to prepare his uniform (which is solid wool--regardless of the time of year) for the next day's work. In addition to preparing the uniform, guards also complete physical training, Tomb Guard training, cut their hair before the next work day, and shave twice per day. Tomb Guards are required to memorize 16 pages of information about Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including the locations of over 100 graves and who is buried in each one.

Answer 2

The Unknown Soldier.
Yes
No

Answer 3

One unknown solider from every American war (except Viet Nam, He was identified and his remains were removed and reburied.) the way medicine works there will be no more unknown soldiers, and yes the soldiers who guard that tomb day and night, seven days a week, 365 days a year, rain ,snow sunshine and heat of summer, would be able to fend you off if you decide to attack it. those rifles they carry are real, they are not just for show!

Answer 4

By the way, EXCELLENT answer Ganjaman415...EXCELLENT...My son walked those 21 steps. he went on to be a part of the Drill Team and did well in his "solo"....now he's just a "lowly" medic in the SF. Just kidding. However, nothing is more impressive to watch than the changing of the Guard. I'm told there have been some that got delusional from the extreme rigidness, the dark,( you see and hear things that may or may not be there) the heat, the extreme weather but no one has ever abandoned their post. They ARE the elite.

Answer 5

The unidentified remains of soldier killed in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. The guards are among the most highly trained that the Army has to offer and would make short work of whoever tried to harm the site.

Answer 6

The person who is buried in the Tomb of he unkown soldier is someone who could not be identified in a war and in each war a new unknown soldier is put in their. but now with dna analysis it really isn't unkown anymore so its just tradition with the washington dc. people

Answer 7

the unknown soldier

Answer 8

the unknown soldier

Answer 9

the unknown soldier and why would you want to break into it???are you that morbid???? let him rest in peace

Answer 10

the onyl reason that it is protected is out of respect to those that fought during the way. and who is honestly going to try and get into it? its not like anything valuable but a human corpse is in there.