Sgt. Edward Younger’s Orders

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By Ken Zurski

In March 1921, a few years after the end of the first World War, a congressional resolution was passed calling for an American serviceman, remains unknown, to be buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Four unidentified bodies were drawn from separate regions of the European theater.

In a small French village, at a makeshift chapel, one would be selected.

Sgt. Edward Younger of Chicago was the unassuming soldier chosen to make the pick. Younger had served in the war, went home, and then reenlisted. He was on special duty when he got orders. “Take these flowers,” his commanding officer told him, “proceed to the chapel and place them on one of the caskets.”

Alone and in silence, Younger circled the four caskets. He touched each one. He knelt and prayed. Then something drew him to the second casket on the right. “It seemed as if God himself guided my hand,” Younger recalled.

A voice said to him, “This is a pal of yours.”

He gently set the flowers down and saluted.

On Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, that body Younger picked was lowered into a tomb at Arlington Cemetery. The inscription reads: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to only God. ”

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Image result for unknown soldier tomb

One thought on “Sgt. Edward Younger’s Orders

    Eilene Lyon said:
    May 28, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    Interesting story. I had no idea about how a body was selected for the tomb.

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