The unknowns the untold story of America's unknown soldier and WWI's most decorated heroes who brought him home

"The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now also contains unknowns from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and receives mill...

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Main Author: O'Donnell, Patrick K., 1969- (Author)
Format: Books Print Book
Language: English
Published: New York : Atlantic Monthly Press, 2018.
Edition: First edition.
Subjects:
Summary: "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now also contains unknowns from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and receives millions of visitors each year who pay silent tribute. When the first Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI, seleted eight of America's most decorated, battle-hardened veterans to serve as Body Bearers. For the first time O'Donnell portrays their heroics on the battlefield one hundred years ago, thereby animating the Tomb by giving voice to all who have served. The Body Bearers appropriately spanned America's service branches and specialties ... Their stories slip easily into the larger narrative of America's involvement in the conflict, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles during 1917-1918 that ultimately decided the Great War ... Patrick O'Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself and recreates the moving ceremony during which it was consecrated and the eight Body Bearers, and the sergeant who had chosen the one body to be interred, solemnly united."--Provided by puglisher.
Physical Description: xxii, 362 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps ; 24 cm
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9780802128331
0802128335
Author Notes: Patrick K. O'Donnell is a bestselling, critically acclaimed military historian and an expert on elite units. He is the author of eleven books, including Washington's Immortals , We Were One , and Dog Company , and he is the recipient of several national awards. He served as a combat historian in a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and speaks often on espionage, special operations, and counterinsurgency. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks' award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers and for documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel, Fox News, and Discovery.