
0264
William E Hottinger
Tomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Oct 1982 - Jan 1984Society Membership
MemberObituary
William E. Hottinger, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on May 26, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen, his cherished parents, Carol and Phil Rohr, and his “furry brother Courtney”.
Born and raised in Montgomery County. MD. he attended Damascus High School and Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA. He loved to play golf in the Tuesday League and enjoyed the 19th hole with his buddies after every round. He also loved music, the Washington Nationals, and was a die-hard Washington Redskin fan until they became the “No Names" of the NFL.
Bill joined the U.S. Army in the early 80’s and was a Presidential Guard at the White House during the Reagan Administration. It was during this time that he seemed to have acquired his love for jelly beans! Upon completing his tour at the White House, Bill completed training to become an elite member of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In May of 1984 , Bill had the privilege and honor to escort the Unknown remains of the American Vietnam Serviceman from Hawaii aboard the frigate U.S.S. Brewton to Alameda Naval Air Station, California. From California, the Unknown was flown to Travis Air Force Base for a formal ceremony continuing on to the U.S. Capital to lie in State for three days. Bill stood his watch while the Unknown Serviceman lied in State. Bill walked with the caisson, drawn by a team of horses, to Arlington National Cemetery for the Unknowns final resting place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers on May 28, 1984. This was his greatest honor.
Bill retired from the U.S. Army after 10 years. He then worked for the Montgomery County Public School system and retired in 2002.
Bill had a very close-knit group of friends who enjoyed playing golf. They also enjoyed Wednesday nights at his home enjoying home-cooked meals, a cigar, having a beverage and enjoying a movie. These were wonderful times, enjoyed by all, creating memories never to be forgotten. He was a kind-hearted soul and would do anything to help someone in need. He loved animals, especially horses, cats and dogs, but especially his cat, Maggie, and his dog, Danny Boy.
Bill will be truly missed, but his beautiful spirit and kindness will live on in all of our hearts - everyday.
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Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 680 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 five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
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.