Existing comment:
1958
Selection of The World War II and Korean War Unknown:
After World War II, the nation planned on interring an Unknown from that conflict, but the country quickly became embroiled in the Korean War. Instead of honoring an Unknown while another war raged, the government waited. Finally, in 1956, Congress authorized adding one Unknown from World War II and one from the Korean War to the Tomb.
Candidates for the World War II Unknown were disinterred from cemeteries in Europe and the Pacific. One potential unknown from each theater of operations was selected and transported to the USS Canberra. Off the coast of Virginia, Navy Hospital Corpsman William Charette chose a single coffin from the two World War II candidates. After the ceremony the Navy transported the selectees to the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, aboard the USS Blandy. |