Henry S. Pickerel
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, Commander of the Relief, SentinelTomb Relief
hqHighest Military Rank
Master SergeantTomb Dates
Jan 1938 - Jun 1938Society Membership
MemberObituary
"He served in the U.S. Army for 33 years. His first tour of duty was the ceremonial detachment at Ft. Myer, VA. which included assignments at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. During World War Il he served in the Pacific Theater. After World War Il he returned to the Ft. Myer ceremonial detachment. ln 1948 he was assigned to the Pentagon, office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Omar Bradley and he continued with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving Generals Taylor, Ridgeway, Lemnitzer, and Wheeler until his retirement in 1970.
He then began a 17-year career as a Deputy U.S. Marshall and was assigned to the Federal Reserve Board working with chairman’s Paul Volker, Dr. Arthur Burns, and Alan Greenspan. During his career with the Army and Federal Reserve Board, he was afforded many opportunities to meet historic figures from presidents to foreign heads of state, to attending an audience with Pope John."
Memories & Condolences
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Units & Campaigns
Company K, 3rd Battalion,12th Infantry Regiment (1938-41)703rd Military Police Battalion (1941-42)
Ceremonial Detachment, 7011 Army Service Unit (1942-44)
Company E, 136th Infantry, 33rd Infantry Division (1944-46)
Ceremonial Detachment, 7011 Army Service Unit (1946-48)
1st Battalion, 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) (1948)
Office of the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (1948)
Office of the Army Chief of Staff (1948)
- General Omar Bradley, Army Chief of Staff 1948-49
- General of the Army Omar Bradley, (1st) Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (1950-53)
- General Matthew Ridgeway, Army Chief of Staff (1953-55)
- General Maxwell Taylor, Army Chief of Staff (1955-59)
- General Lyman L. Limitzer, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (1960-62)
- General Maxwell Taylor, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (1962-64)
- General Earle Wheeler, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (1964-70)
Combat
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Awards & Decorations
Joint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation (w/2 Gold Stars)
Army Good Conduct (w/ Silver Clasp one loop)
American Defense Service Medal (w/BS)
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (w/BS)
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal (w/BS)
Combat Infantryman Badge
Joint Chief of Staff Identification Badge
Expert Weapons Badge (w/Rifle, Pistol, Bayonet, Auto Rife, Grenade)
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?
Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
