0457
Gavin L. McIlvenna
Tomb Position
Assistant Sergeant of the Guard, Commander of the ReliefTomb Relief
1stHighest Military Rank
Sergeant MajorTomb Dates
Nov 1997 - Nov 1998Military Dates
Nov 1989 - Oct 2012Society Membership
FounderHome City / State
Reedsport, ORCurrent City / State
Hood River, ORUnits & Campaigns
3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Vicenza Italy (OPERATION Provide Comfort)Pathfinder Company (Airborne), 6th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY
3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Vicenza Italy (OPERATION Joint Endeavour)
1st Battalion, 508th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Vicenza Italy
3d United States Infantry (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, VA
1st Battalion, 249th Regional Training Institute, Oregon Army National Guard, Monmouth, OR (OPERATION Nobel Eagle)
Army National Guard Warrior Training Center, Ft. Benning, GA
Company D(-) (RSTA FSC) 141 BSB, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,1st Squadron 82nd Cavalry Regiment
Company C, 1st Squadron 82nd Cavalry Regiment (OPERATION Iraqi Freedom)
Headquarter and Headquarters Troop,1st Squadron 82nd Cavalry Regiment
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 162nd Infantry Regiment
United States Army Africa, Senior Enlisted Advisor, (ACOTA Team)
Awards & Decorations
Legion of MeritBronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award)
Army Commendation Medal (7th Award)
Army Achievement Medal (10th Award)
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3rd Award)
National Defense Service Medal (w/BBS)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/M Device) (2nd Award) (Bronze Hourglass)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/ BBS)
Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/BBS)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
NATO Medal (w/Former Yugoslavia suspension bar)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/”4” device)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Reserves Overseas Training Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (w/”4” device)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Army Meritorious Unit Award
Army Superior Unit Award
Oregon National Guard Faithful Service Ribbon (w/M Device) (2nd Award)
Oregon National Guard Superior Soldier Ribbon (2nd Award)
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Pathfinder Badge
Air Assault Badge
Botswana Parachutist Badge
French Parachutist Badge
Ecuadorian Parachutist Badge
German Troop Duty Proficiency Badge (Gold)
Order of Saint Maurice
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 times will a Sentinel be on duty during the shift?
Each Relief has a 24 hour rotational work day. Ideally, four qualified Sentinels, one Relief Commander (RC), one Assistant Relief Commander (ARC), and several Sentinels in training comprise the Relief. The daily walk schedule is made by the RC or ARC and is dependent on the number of Sentinels who are proficient enough to guard the Tomb in front of the public. Generally, the Sentinel will do several walks back to back and then be done for the day. However, in extreme cases, Sentinels have been known to go back-to-back (every other walk) for the entire shift.
