The Tomb Guard

Jan H. Lilly

Tomb Position

Sentinel

Tomb Relief

3rd

Highest Military Rank

SP5

Tomb Dates

Aug 1959 - Jun 1960

Military Dates

Feb 1959 - Feb 1965

Society Membership

Founding Father

Home City / State

Morgantown, WV

Current City / State

Raleigh, WV

Tomb Reflections

During my days at the Tomb, there were 3 Reliefs consisting of 4 sentinels and 1 Relief Cdr. each. Each Relief was on duty at the Tomb for 24 hours (0700-0700) and off duty for 48 hrs.. Beginning at 0700 the first Sentinel was posted and walked the mat for one hour and then relieved. This rotation of the 4 Sentinels continued throughout the day until the cemetery closed. At this point in time the Sentinel was posted for a 2 hour tour, but did not walk the mat in the same manner as during the day(more relaxed). We had to remain on the mat however. There were no lights to illuminate the plaza as is the case today. If one Sentinel should go on leave or be ill the rotation was covered by the 3 remaining Sentinels - made for a very long 24 hours. Our quarters at TUS were under the amphitheater consisting of a small kitchen, bunk room, small lounge area and a uniform room.
Upon completion of our tour we would return to HG Co. and our quarters. We did not pull any other duties! Great Duty, demanding and an HONOR to have been selected to serve as a member of such an elite group of soldiers. The proudest memory of my life - a TOMBGUARD, thanks to: Neale Cosby, PL; Wm. Daniel, SOG; Tom Bone, RC; Bill Rigsby, SOG; Jos.\\\"Zach\\\" Zachwieja, PL.

Memories & Condolences

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Units & Campaigns

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

Awards & Decorations

Army Good Conduct 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.