The Tomb Guard

Wayne Thomas

Tomb Position

Sentinel

Tomb Relief

2nd

Highest Military Rank

SPC

Tomb Dates

Jun 1957 - May 1958

Society Membership

Member

Home City / State

Decorah, IA

Current City / State

Decorah, IA

Obituary

Wayne Lyle Thomas was born February 11, 1938 in LaCrosse WI to Lyle and Evelyn (Pilgrim) Lenth. He was educated in the Decorah school system, and went on to serve in the U. S. Army from 1956 – 1958 as a Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Virginia. He was married to Sandra Peters on May 30, 1965, and later divorced. To this union, one son was born, Mark Thomas. Wayne spent the majority of his banking career at Decorah Bank & Trust Company, retiring in 2000, after working there thirty-seven years. He enjoyed his years of retirement by fishing and mushroom hunting.

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Units & Campaigns

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

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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.

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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:

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.