0427
Paul Olson
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, SentinelTomb Relief
1stHighest Military Rank
CW3Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Cary, ILCurrent City / State
Ft. Rucker, ALTomb Reflections
My entire time at the Tomb. Just an amazing experience shared with great people. My only regret is I wish I had spent time in a line unit before being a Sentinel. My time in the 82nd only added to my appreciation for the experience of being there. Had I had that tenure first, my gratitude and thanks for the opportunity to be there would only have been greater. It was like being given a Bentley for your first car. You really can't appreciate it until you've owned a beater.Units & Campaigns
Honor Guard Company, 3rd US INF (TOG), Ft. Myer, VAB CO. 1-325 (AIR) 82nd Airborne DIvision, Ft. Bragg, NC
B CO. 7-101 159 CAB 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY
HHC 1 SBCT 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, CO
B Co 1-13 AV, USAACE, ASDAT
Awards & Decorations
Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal (3), National Defense (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (2), Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Nato Medal, MSM, BSM (Meritorious)Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award (2), Meritorious Unit Award (2)
EIB, CIB, CAB, Airborne, Air Assault, TGIDB, Aviator Wings
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).
