0014
Allen J. Eldredge
Tomb Position
Commander of the Relief, Sergeant of the GuardTomb Relief
hqHighest Military Rank
Master SergeantTomb Dates
Mar 1962 - Jun 1966Society Membership
Lifetime MemberObituary
Mr. Eldredge died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, at his home after a short illness. He was retired from the U.S. Army as master sergeant. He served in Korea and Vietnam. During his career he earned the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge (w/Star) and the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. From July 1962 until April 1966 he was Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while serving his third campaign with the 3rd U.S. Infantry, Company E (Honor Guard), Fort Myer, Va. He is a Life Member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a member of the Old Guard Association.
Mr. Eldredge retired as a police officer and investigator from the City of Daleville after 24 years. He continued to serve the city after his retirement as Assistant Fire Chief, Fugitive Escort, and School Crossing Monitor. He was Dale County Firefighter of the Year 1993, District Firefighter of the Year 1993 (Dale and Geneva Counties), nominated by VFW for Alabama Police Officer of the Year in 1992, and was one of the volunteer firefighters to become State Certified in Daleville. The City declared October 1994 as Allen Eldredge Appreciation Month.
He was preceded in death by his parents and twin brother, Alden J. Eldredge Jr. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Tim Brown of Enterprise and Jennifer and Gene Borman of Pensacola, Fla.; one son and daughter-in-law, George and Susan Eldredge of Jacksonville, Fla.; three grandchildren, Ryan Eldredge, Lauren Eldredge and David Eldredge of Jacksonville; three sisters, June Sutherland of Florida, Ada Eldredge of Mississippi, and Margie Febro of Tennessee; two brothers, Bill Eldredge and Art Eldredge of Indiana; a sister-in-law, Lois Eldredge; and several nieces and nephews.
Memories & Condolences
RIP Allen. One of the best PSOs the Daleville Department of Public Safety has ever known.
Share a Memory
Units & Campaigns
1st Battalion (Reinforced), 3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)Awards & Decorations
Meritorious Service MedalArmy of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
Combat Infantryman Badge (with Star)
Bronze Star
Tomb Guard 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.
