0012
Richard Russell Alexander
Tomb Position
Platoon LeaderTomb Relief
Highest Military Rank
Lieutenant ColonelTomb Dates
Nov 1961 - Jan 1963Military Dates
Sep 1958 - Aug 1980Society Membership
MemberObituary
Mr. Richard Russell Alexander, age 57, died at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Saturday after a lengthy illness. Mr. Alexander was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army, serving for 23 years, and was presently employed by Headquarters Forces Command in Atlanta. He was a native of Toombs County, and was the son of the late Carlos Alexander. During his service time, he served in Berlin, Vietnam, and Korea, and was attached to the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery at one time.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Joanne Alexander of Atlanta; two daughters, Mrs. Sydney A. Wheels and Ann-Maria Alexander, both of Atlanta; his mother, Mrs. Julia Underwood Alexander of Lyons; three brothers, Truman Alexander of Jacksonville, Marion "Dickie" Alexander of Lyons and C.V. Alexander of Clarksville, Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Jackie Payne of Alpharetta, Ga., and Mrs. Jo Barrett of Savannah; also cousins, nieces and nephews.
Outside Tributes
TributeMemories & Condolences
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Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)4th Battalion, 18th Infantry Brigade (Berlin)
Staff Advisor, 3rd Regiment, 1st Army of Vietnam Division
Engineer School, Fort. Belvoir
1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division
Office of Special Assistant to Deputy Commanding General Reserve Forces, Third Army
Headquarters, US Army Forces Command
44th Military History Detachment, US Army Forces Command
Awards & Decorations
Legion of MeritBronze Star Medal w/Valor Device and 2 OLC
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 OLC
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin)
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Service Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 OLC
Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Pam and Service Star
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/1960 Date Bar
Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge w/Rifle Bar M-16
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
Support the Society
The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) is able to provide our programs, events, assistance, scholarships, and services due to the generosity of its members, organizations, and individuals. SHGTUS does not receive institutional funding. Note: The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contributions may be fully tax deductible.
Learn More
Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 680 tomb guards awarded the badge since 1958 when we started counting. There are hundreds more from the year 1926 when the Army started guarding the Tomb. The 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) is the unit that has been given the duty of guarding the Tomb. It was given this sacred duty in 1948. The Old Guard was -- and still is -- considered a combat unit. As an Infantry unit, females were not permitted in the ranks for many years. It wasn't until 1994 that females were permitted to volunteer to become a Sentinel when the 289th Military Police Company was attached to the Old Guard. The MP branch is a combat support unit and includes females.
In 1996, SGT Heather Johnsen became the first female to earn the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. She volunteered for duty in June 1995 and earned her badge in 1996. However, SGT Johnson was not the only female Sentinel. Since then, there have been a total of five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
Several other units have since been attached to the Old Guard -- food
service, transportation, medics, etc. -- so now females have an ever
greater opportunity to become a Sentinel. Females must meet the same
requirements as the male soldiers to be eligible to volunteer at the
Tomb. the only difference is that females have a minimum height of 5'8"
-- which is the same standard to be a member of the Old Guard.
