During the Civil War, the Army started burying soldiers along the northern border of the Arlington estate, approximately one half mile from the mansion-headquarters, in May of 1864.Meanwhile, the office of Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs set about the task of identifying an appropriate place for a new, offical cemetery. Meigs did not have to look very far. This set the stage for the creation of the Arlington National Cemetery.
Arlington House
The Home of General Robert E. Lee prior to the US Civil War and later seized by the Union to bury Union soldiers. Now the Arlington House in Arlington National Cemetery.
Arlington's View
The view of Washington D.C. from the John F. Kennedy gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
Captain Harry Jeremiah Parks, US Army
Born in Orangeville, New Jersey,on February 24, 1848 he earned the Medal of Honor in the Civil War on October 19, 1864 at Cedar Creek, Virginia, while serving as a Private, Company A, 9th New York Volunteer Cavalry.
He died on October 19, 1927 and was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.
While alone and in advance of his unit and attempting to cut off the retreat of a supply wagon, he fought and sent to flight a Confederate color bearer. After capturing the color bearer and leaving him in the rear, he returned to the front and captured 3 more wagons and drivers.Arlington national cemeteryArlington vamedal of honor recipient
Birthday at Arlington
In Section 37, A World War I veteran has a birthday balloon and flowers left graveside, among his fellow shipmates and veterans, at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
USS Maine Memorial (Mast of the Maine)
The USS Maine Memorial overlooks the remains of those who died when the ship exploded off the coast of Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898. More than 260 sailors on board were killed, and 102 members of the crew survived.
In 1910, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to raise the Maine, recovering 66 bodies from the wreck. Two years later, in March 1912, the Navy transported the ship's mast to Arlington, where it was placed onto a granite base meant to represent the turret of a battleship. The names of those who died aboard the Maine were inscribed onto the base. The monument is located on Sigsbee Drive, named after Admiral Charles Dwight Sigsbee, who commanded the vessel at the time of the explosion (and survived). (arlingtoncemetery.mil)
Section 24
Those who died in the Maine's explosion were initially buried in a Havana cemetery. On March 30, 1898, Congress approved a bill authorizing for their remains to be disinterred and transferred to Arlington National Cemetery. On December 28, 1899, 165 remains (63 known, 102 unknown) were reinterred in Section 24, with a full military honors service. (arlingtoncemetery.mil)
Section 46
These honored dead in section 46, sleep eternally alongside the memorials from the Space Shuttle Challenger & Columbia Memorials, Iran Rescue Memorial, as well as the Mast of the Maine. It is also just east of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Corporal Luther Skaggs, Jr., US Marine Corps
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as squad leader with a mortar section of a rifle company in the 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands, 21 -22 July 1944. When the section leader became a casualty under a heavy mortar barrage shortly after landing, Pfc. Skaggs promptly assumed command and led the section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a position from which to deliver effective coverage of the assault on a strategic cliff. Valiantly defending this vital position against strong enemy counterattacks during the night, Pfc. Skaggs was critically wounded when a Japanese grenade lodged in his foxhole and exploded, shattering the lower part of one leg. Quick to act, he applied an improvised tourniquet and, while propped up in his foxhole, gallantly returned the enemy's fire with his rifle and handgrenades for a period of 8 hours, later crawling unassisted to the rear to continue the fight until the Japanese had been annihilated. Uncomplaining and calm throughout this critical period, Pfc. Skaggs served as a heroic example of courage and fortitude to other wounded men and, by his courageous leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, upheld the high traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."
Location at Arlington National Cemetery: Section 46; Site 1066-8.Arlington vaArlington national cemeteryMedal of Honor recipient
Major Audie Murphy, US Army
He wanted to join the Marines, but he was too short. The paratroopers wouldn't have him, either. Reluctantly, he settled on the infantry, and ultimately became the most-decorated hero of World War II.
On January 26, 1945, "2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machinegun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective."
Audie Murphy is buried in Section 46.Arlington vaArlington national cemeteryMedal of Honor recipient
Heel to Toe
A tomb sentry walking his post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA as the onlookers await a changing of the guard.
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Tomb Sentry
A tomb sentry walking his post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA as the onlookers await a changing of the guard.
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21 Steps
A Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier walking his post, 21 steps from end to end. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
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Port Arms
A Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Rifle Inspection
Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, during a rifle inspection just prior to the changing of the guard ceremony.
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Changing of the Guard
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Tomb of the Unknown
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
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Tomb Guard
Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
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Walking A Post
A Tomb Guard walking his post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
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Standing at Attention
The Sergeant of the Guard changing posts with the sentry's at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
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Post Inspection
Sentries at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier about to pass on and receive post orders during the changing of the guard in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
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Post Orders As Directed
Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier receiving their post orders during the changing of the guard in Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA.
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Tomb Salute
Tomb Guards saluting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, during the changing of the guard.
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Orders Recieved
Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery after receiving the post orders during the changing of the guard.
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Posted
Tomb Guard posted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the changing of the guard ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA.
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