The Tomb Guard

Theodore "Ted" Manolukas

Tomb Position

Sentinel

Tomb Relief

Tomb Dates

Oct 1951 - Oct 1952

Society Membership

Member

Obituary

Theodore P. Manolukas was born in Youngstown, on June 18, 1929 and entered eternal rest on March 11, 2014. He was the son of Peter and Maria (Theofanakis) Manolukas, immigrants from Smyrna, Greece . Ted entered the Army in March of 1951 and was assigned to the 3rd infantry and trained to fight in Korea. During training, he was asked to volunteer to serve as a sentinel for the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. He served in this elite, spit and polish, honor guard from 1951 through 1952. After the war, he returned to Youngstown and with his brother, George, and cousin Nick owned and operated Central Candy and Cigar Co. until his retirement. Ted was deeply religious and gave generously of his time and money to the church. He helped with the construction of the Greek Orthodox Monastery in Hayesville and donated material, equipment, money and opened his home to visiting clergy. Ted was a 32nd degree York-Rite Mason, Wick Lodge No. 481, Scottish Rite and Past Master of Hillman Lodge, a member of Ashlar Chapter No. 213 Royal Arch Masons, Buechner Grand Council No. 107 Royal and Select Masons and St. John’s Commandery No. 20 Knights Templar and Al Koran Shriners of Cleveland. He was also a 50 year member of AHEPA, Lincoln Chapter 89. He is survived by his wife, Darlene (Muzinich) Manolukas of Boardman; his son, Dr. John T. Manolukas of Wilmington, N.C.; and his four grandchildren, Matthew, 26, Theodore, 24, Sarah, 22 and Julia, 21, all of Toledo; and Nancy Benedetto Manolukas.

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Units & Campaigns

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

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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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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.