Tomb of the Unknowns Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial Day

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.

The white marble sarcophagus has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, or columns, set into the surface. Sculpted into the east panel which faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor.

The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.

The six wreaths (three carved on both the north and south sides on the Tomb are inverted to represent mourning. The six wreaths represent the six major battle campaigns of World War I: Chateau-Terrie; Ardennes; Oisiu-Eisue; Meusse-Argonne; Belleauwood; and Sommes.

Inscription (author unknown) on the back (west side) of the tomb:

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

CEMETERY HOURS: 7 Days a Week, 365 Days - 8AM - 7PM (April - September). 8AM - 5PM (October - March)

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