0151
Herbert E Cleveland Sr
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, SentinelTomb Relief
2ndHighest Military Rank
Chief Warrant Officer 3Tomb Dates
Jul 1974 - Aug 1975Military Dates
Jul 1972 - Jul 1994Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Kansas City Kansas, KSCurrent City / State
Huntsville, KSTomb Reflections
It was a shame I never got the chance to walk on the plaza. The whole amphitheater, plaza area was undergoing renovation for the Bi-Centinial for the duration of my time as a Sentinel.Obituary
Herbert Eugene Cleveland, Sr., born November 27, 1953, of Kansas City, MO, was called home on December 17, 2019.
Herb’s active-duty service included twenty-two years in the Army, where he was honored with the following merits, decorations, badges, and medals: National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Saudi Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Legion of Merit, among others. After retiring from his twenty-two years of service to the Army, Herb re-entered as a civil servant where he spent over fifteen years.
Outside Tributes
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Units & Campaigns
A Co., 1/11th Infantry, Ft Carson, COC Co., 1st Bn (Reinf), 3rd Inf
E Co., 1st Bn (Reinf), 3rd Inf
ATC School - Ft Rucker, AL
Hunter AFB Detachment, HAAF, GA
Co A., US Armt ATC Bn, Korea
191st ATC Company (Forward), Korea
B Det. 72nd Aviation Unit (ATC), Ft Bragg, NC
245th ATC Co. FWD, 58th ATC Bn, Ft Bragg, NC
IERW @ Ft Rucker, AL
62nd AVN Co, 11th AVN Bn, Germany
HQ Co., 59th ATC Bn, Germany
FWMEQC @ Ft Rucker, AL
B Co., 224th MI Bn (AE), HAAF, GA
D Co., MI Bn (LI), Panama
Awards & Decorations
Distinguished Service Medal (1OLC)Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC)
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal (2OLC)
National Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (4)
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3)
Army Superior Unit Award
Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3BSS
Saudi Kuwait Liberation Medal
Senior Army Aviator Badge
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 700 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 eight female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned her badge in 1997SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
SGT Kamille Torres earned her badge in 2022
SPC Jessica Kwiatkowski earned her badge in 2023
SGT Kaylee Johnston earned her badge in 2024
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.
