Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington) facts for kids

Tomb Guard on post, 2018

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to dead U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States.

The World War I "Unknown" is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations' highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were buried are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who went to their funerals.

The monument has no officially designated name.

Images for kids

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  Tomb as of November 11, 1922. The Tomb of 1931 would occupy this same location.

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  Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis (left) and Major General B. F. Cheatham, Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army, inspect the accepted model and design for the completion of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1928). The design by sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones and architect Lorimer Rich was selected after a competition in which 73 designs were submitted.

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  The World War I Unknown arriving at the Washington Navy Yard, 1921 (colorized)

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  Dedicated during the 1999 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the inscription on the empty crypt of the Vietnam Unknown now reads "Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen 1958–1975".

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  Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge

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  Changing of the Guard, 2005.

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  The crack can be seen underneath the words "An American" and above the word "Soldier."

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  October 21, 2011: Completed repair of the cracks in the Tomb.

See also

In Spanish: Tumba del soldado desconocido (Arlington) para niños