0196
Andrew L Henry
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
2ndHighest Military Rank
SpecialistTomb Dates
Nov 1977 - Sep 1978Society Membership
Lifetime MemberObituary
Andrew Lawrence Henry, 36, died at 9:29 PM Sunday, July 5, 1992, in Home Hospital, Lafayette. He was injured in a motorcycle accident at 7:10 PM Sunday in Clinton County. Mr. Henry worked in the transportation division at Frito-Lay in Frankfort. Born on June 22, 1956, in Frankfort, he was a 1974 graduate of Frankfort High School and a 1982 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in construction technology. Mr. Henry served for 3 1/2 years in the Army Third Infantry "Old Guard". He served as Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a member of the Silent Drill Team, and the White House Soldier Detail. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort.
Outside Tributes
TributeMemories & Condolences
Andy was good guy with a great sense of humor. So sorry to learn of his passing..
ANDY HENRY WAS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN THE ARMY. I FLEW OUT TO HIS FUNERAL IN 93. OTHER GUARDS THERE WERE ALAN HUMBIRD, MATT PAGELS AND DAN MOORE. WE ALL WERE PALLBEARERS AT HIS FUNERAL. I MISS MY FRIEND ANDY STILL. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND AN OUTSTANDING SENTINEL. ANDY WAS ALSO A SENIOR SOLOIST ON THE US ARMY DRILL TEAM. Thank you Sergeant Jankowski for sharing this photo. Eddie Powers, 1st relief
As Second Relief Commander, Sergeant Henry was on my relief as a new man and received the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. As I remember he was an outstanding soldier and sentinel. I have a photo of him being posted by me in 1978.
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Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)Awards & Decorations
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 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.
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.
