This is the story of the first selected Unknown Soldier's journey home.
In the fall of 1921, the U.S. Army selected one unknown American soldier to be interred in the Tomb. The Army took detailed precautions to ensure the anonymity of this honored American and cooperated with the French to commemorate him on his journey home.
The Army’s Quartermaster Corps disinterred one set of remains each from four American cemeteries in France: the Meuse-Argonne, St. Mihiel, Somme, and Aisne-Marne cemeteries. The four caskets of remains were transported to the town of Châlons-sur-Marne, where a formal selection ceremony took place at the city hall on October 24, 1921.
In the presence of French and American dignitaries, U.S. Army Sergeant Edward F. Younger, a decorated World War I veteran, selected the Unknown by laying a spray of white roses upon one of the four caskets. After a ceremonial procession, a special train transported the casket to the port of Le Havre. Along the way, the French people honored the Unknown and expressed their gratitude for America’s role in the Allied victory. These events strengthened ties between the United States and France.
Directed by
Jose A. Ibarra
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
Edited by
Jose A. Ibarra
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
Brian E. Moody
U.S. Army Sergeant
Videography by
Jose A. Ibarra
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
Brian E. Moody
U.S. Army Sergeant
Philip C. Bryant
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant
Michael Shipman
American Battle Monuments Commission
Graphics By
Michael J. O’Hare
Production Consultant
Stephen L. Dornbos
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.09.2021 06:30 |
| Category: | Video Productions |
| Video ID: | 820976 |
| VIRIN: | 211109-A-FW223-102 |
| Filename: | DOD_108674004 |
| Length: | 00:23:20 |
| Location: | FR |
| Downloads: | 32 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 32 |
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