Arlington National Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknowns

A sentinel salutes the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Photo by Kimberly Nguyen: Courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery

• The Unknown of World War I: Interred November 11, 1921 in a ceremony presided by President Harding.



• The Unknown of World War II: Interred May 30, 1958 in a ceremony presided by President Eisenhower.



• The Unknown of the Korean War: Interred May 30, 1958 in a ceremony presided by President Eisenhower.



• The Unknown of the Vietnam War: Interred May 28, 1984 in a ceremony presided by President Reagan. Subsequently, the remains of the Vietnam Unknown were disinterred and identified. At the request of the family, he was re-interred close to their home. It has been decided that the Vietnam Unknown crypt will remain empty.

• October 1 to March 31: The guard is changed every hour on the hour.


• April 1 to September 30: The guard is changed twice per hour on the half-hour.

A monument near Arlington House marks the vault that contains remains of about 2111 unknown Confederate soldiers and Union troops. The remains were gathered from the battlefields of Bull Run and the route to the Rappahannock.

Next Page - The John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame

Index: Arlington National Cemetery

1. Introduction and Visitor Information
2. Location and Transportation
3. Easter, Memorial Day and Veterans Day Services
4. The Memorial Amphitheater
5. Tomb of the Unknowns
6. The John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame
7. Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial
8. "Remember the Maine"
9. Arlington House and Additional Arlington National Cemetery Resources
10. Nearby Points of Interest