Eddie C Deyampert

Tomb Position

Sergeant of the Guard

Tomb Relief

Highest Military Rank

Command Sergeant Major

Tomb Dates

Sep 1976 - Jun 1979

Military Dates

Nov 1963 - Dec 1993

Society Membership

Member

Home City / State

Selma, Alabama

Current City / State

Springfield, Virginia

Units & Campaigns

3rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 2 tours
1st Battalion 21st Infantry
1st Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment, Korea
1st Battalion 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division
2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, Fort Devens, MA
5th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX
54th MP Company, Fort Ord, CA

Awards & Decorations

Tomb Guard Identification Badge
Army Service Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Meritorious Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantry Badge
Expert Marksman Badge
Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign
AFEM Korea

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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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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:

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.

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