The Tomb Guard

Hans D Schlichting

Tomb Position

Sentinel

Tomb Relief

2nd

Highest Military Rank

Cpl

Tomb Dates

May 1955 - Mar 1956

Society Membership

Member

Home City / State

New York, NY

Current City / State

Houston/Spring, TX

Obituary

Hans D. (Dirk) Schlichting, 84, of Houston, TX passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 4, 2017. He was born May 15, 1933 to Heinrich and Anni Schlichting. Dirk faithfully served the 11th Airborne Special Operations Division and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment with Company A. Dirk also served as Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.. Dirk was undeniably proud to be a Tomb Guard. He served the U.S. Armed Forces for two years until he was honorably discharged. Dirk retired from Shell Oil where he worked for 33 years.

Dirk had a deep love for his wife of 60 years, Grace. He compassionately loved and cared for his family and animals. Dirk enjoyed spending time with family, including time with his children and grandchildren.

Dirk and Grace had three children:

Dirk, Nancy (deceased 2008), and Deirdre

Dirk and Grace have eight grandchildren:

Savannah, Landon, Cody, Scott, Connor, Misty, Dana and Ryan

Outside Tributes

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Memories & Condolences

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Units & Campaigns

Basic and Advanced Infantry training, Fort Dix, NJ
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
- Company A, various ceremonial details
- Guard Post Number 1 (GEN Mathew Ridgeway, Army Chief of Staff)
- Tomb Guard Platoon

Awards & Decorations

Korean National Defense Service Medal
Tomb Guard Identification Badge

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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.