Harlan Hunt
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
Highest Military Rank
Private First ClassTomb Dates
Jan 1948 - Dec 1950Obituary
Harlan Hunt Jr, age 89 of Hamilton, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio on August 19, 1929 to Harlan Sr. and Rachel (Arnold) Hunt. Harlan served in the United States Army and took great pride in his service as a member of the 3rd Infantry Regiment guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 1948-1950 in Arlington National Cemetery. On August 25, 1956 he married Aileen Gabbard and together they raised two daughters. He retired from Champion International Paper in 1992 after 43 years.
Harlan lived to fish and loved to sing. For decades, along with a regular group of fishing buddies, he enjoyed yearly trips north to Michigan, south to Alabama and points in between. He spent countless hours fishing Brookville Lake and loved his early morning gin rummy games at the Parkside Marina there.
Harlan greeted everyone with easy humor, a smile and a song. He never met a stranger and always made those around him feel special. In recent years, his Wednesday Songbirds and dancing group at the Oxford Senior Center were the highlights of his week.
Harlan was a loving and loyal husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Outside Tributes
TributeMemories & Condolences
Share a Memory
Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
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?
Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?
Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different. It was flat at ground level without the 70 ton marble 'cap'. People often came to the cemetery in those days and a few actually used the Tomb as a picnic area, likely because of the view. Soon after in 1925, they posted a civilian guard. In 1926, a US Army soldier was posted during cemetery hours. On July 1, 1937 guard duty was expanded to the 24 hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has evolved throughout the years to what you see today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who are speaking too loudly or attempting to get a better picture (by entering the post).
