0129
Jonathan Eastham
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
2ndHighest Military Rank
SergeantTomb Dates
May 1972 - Aug 1973Military Dates
Sep 1970 - Sep 1973Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Hyattsville, MDCurrent City / State
Butler, MDTomb Reflections
Most memorable Moment at The Tomb. It was a very busy summer day in 1973. After a walk I told the RC I would conduct the next change to give him a break. As the civilian guard parted the crowd to let me inside the chains I heard a woman frantically calling to her toddler son, he was probably no more than two years old. He had stepped well inside the chains to get away from the crushing adults gathered around for the upcoming guard change. The next instant I hear "Commander Of The Relief, Post Number 1".When I approached the little guy he just kept backing up, right into WWI. Upon corning him I put out my hand and said let’s go find Mommy. When he took my hand I heard a collective "Awwwwwwwh" from the several hundred onlookers. I wish I had a picture of me handing him over to his mom. The end of the story?
"It is requested that parents keep their children on the OUTSIDE of the chains. Thank you". I actually said that to her. I felt bad about it when I got back downstairs.
Units & Campaigns
Fort Dix (Basic Training)Fort Polk (Advanced Infantry Training)
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
- 1st Presidential Marching Platoon
- Continental Color Guard
- Tomb Guard Platoon
Awards & Decorations
Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award)National Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Tomb Guard Identification Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge - Automatic Rifle
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?
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 Johnson 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.
