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Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge

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Tomb Guard Identification Badge
TypeMilitary badge
Presented byUnited States Army
EligibilityMembers of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedFebruary 7, 1958
Total722[1]
RelatedMilitary Horseman Identification Badge
Sentinels conduct "change of the guard" ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, circa 2005

The Tomb Guard Identification Badge (TGIB) is a military badge of the United States Army earned by Tomb Guard sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and have passed a series of tests. Badge-holders are members of the 3d U.S. Infantry's Honor Guard, and known as "Sentinels", at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.[2][3] It is the third least-awarded badge in the U.S. Military, after the Military Horseman Identification Badge and the Astronaut Badge.[4] As of March 2024, 722 soldiers have been awarded this badge.[1]

Design

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The badge itself is made of heavy sterling silver approximately two inches in diameter. The obverse design consists of an inverted wreath, a sign of mourning, and the East face of the Tomb which contains the figures of Peace, Valor and Victory. Superimposed on the bottom of the Tomb under the three figures are the words "Honor Guard".[5]

The badge was designed in 1956 and first issued to members of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on February 7, 1958. The badge was first issued only as a temporary wear item, meaning the Soldiers could only wear the badge during their tenure as members of the Honor Guard. Upon leaving the duty, the badge was returned and reissued to incoming Soldiers. In 1963, regulations were changed to allow the badge to be worn as a permanent part of the military uniform after the Soldier's completion of duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was also permanently awarded to those who had previously earned it.[6]

Award process

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The bestowing authority of the Tomb Guard Identification Badge is the Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-22.[6] For a service member to permanently receive the badge, they must serve nine months as a member of the Honor Guard, and receive a recommendation from the Commanding Officer of the Honor Guard Company.[7][5][8][9]

The Tomb Guard Identification Badge can be revoked if a soldier disgraces him or herself in a manner that brings dishonor to the Army, or him or herself. This action can happen even after the badge-holder completes his or her tour of duty as a member of the Honor Guard.[6][10]

Testing: There are several steps a soldier must take before a Tomb Guard earns a Tomb Guard Identification Badge thereby becoming a Sentinel. To begin with, a soldier must have an interview and a two-week trial period. During the trial, they memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history. This information must be recited verbatim in order to earn a walk. In order to walk the mat behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a Tomb Guard must pass tests on their knowledge, manual of arms, uniform, and performance.  The Badge test includes reciting 95 correct responses to 100 questions chosen from the 300-item knowledge booklet memorized during training. It includes The Sentinel's Creed. Line 6 epitomizes the excellence required of Tomb Guards.[11][12][13][14][15]

The Sentinel’s Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty

is total and whole-hearted.

In the responsibility bestowed on me

never will I falter.

And with dignity and perseverance

my standard will remain perfection.

Through the years of diligence and praise

and the discomfort of the elements,

I will walk my tour in humble reverence

to the best of my ability.

It is he who commands the respect I protect,

his bravery that made us so proud.

Surrounded by well-meaning crowds by day,

alone in the thoughtful peace of night,

this soldier will in honored glory rest

under my eternal vigilance.

- Simon 1971

Recipients

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The first recipient of the Tomb Guard Identification Badge was William Edward Daniel (Dec. 24, 1924 - Jan. 30, 2009). Daniel served as a tomb sentinel and Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while stationed there from February 1957 to June 1960. In World War II, he was a prisoner of war who escaped with others to fight again. He also served in Korea (America's "Forgotten War"). Tomb Guards have also served in combat in Vietnam and the Middle East. Daniel retired with the rank of master sergeant in 1965 after 22 years of Army service. Daniel died in 2009, and was interred in section 35, grave number 218, just south of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia.[4] His grave is within view of the flag that Tomb Guards raise and lower each day near the Memorial Amphitheater. In addition to soldiers in the infantry, military police (MP) at Fort Myer were allowed to serve as Tomb Guards starting in 1993. The second MP to volunteer was a woman, Sergeant Heather Lynn Johnsen who became the first female soldier to earn the TGIB.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier "Tomb Guard" list".
  2. ^ U.S. Army Pamphlet 670–1: Uniform and Insignia, Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia Archived 2014-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, Department of the Army Publications and Forms, dated 31 March 2014, last accessed 23 June 2014
  3. ^ U.S. Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, Official Department of the Army Publications and Forms, dated 11 Dec 06, revised 15 Sep 11, last accessed 4 Oct 11
  4. ^ a b McVeigh, Alex (February 11, 2009). "First Tomb Badge recipient laid to rest". Pentagram. McLean, VA: U.S. Army. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "The Sentinels of the Tomb". 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment. Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "Sec. 578.110 Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge". Code of Federal Regulations, Title 32, Volume 3. U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  7. ^ Zongker, Brett (February 19, 2010). "For 1st time, brothers guard Tomb of the Unknown". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved February 22, 2010.[dead link]
  8. ^ Fogg, Sam (May 29, 1977). "Guards Walk Extra Mile At Tomb Of Unknown". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. p. H1. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  9. ^ "Tomb guard thinks first of his duty". Lawrence Journal-World. N.Y. Times News Service. May 31, 1985. p. 5. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  10. ^ Popplewell, Louise (June 11, 2006). "Tomb of the Unknowns". Victoria Advocate. Retrieved February 22, 2010. [dead link]
  11. ^ “The Sentinel’s Creed” - The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington... | By U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Retrieved 2024-10-08 – via www.facebook.com.
  12. ^ "CSM Dailey: Developing the next generation of leaders". Army University Press. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  13. ^ "Youth on Guard - The Creed". www.youthonguard.org. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  14. ^ "Society of the Honor Guard | The Sentinel's Creed & Line 6". tombguard.org. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  15. ^ "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  16. ^ "Society of the Honor Guard | Home". tombguard.org. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  17. ^ "First Tomb Badge recipient laid to rest". www.army.mil. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
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