Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-05-08
No Observance Of Victory
The Only Ceremony Now Planned Is Burial Of
Another Soldier Known But to God
By Roberf X. Walsh

,dier after world war / took place
+ the armistice. The picture abope
capitol to receiDe the cnsket. The
5ton Cemetery that morning started
I'd the caisson tpalked the President
E cabinet, the Supreme Court, the
many States and Army, -Nduy and
following September to extol achieve
ments and sacrifices Of the Russian
people.
Two Observances in France.
France had spontaneous popular
demonstration and two principal formal
celebrations which welcomed Gen.
Charles de Gaulle and greeted Gen.
Eisenhower on June II, 1915. On that
fifth anniversary of the black day when
Hitler's legions over-ran Paris, hun
dreds Of thousands of people cheered
and wept for Joy for their liberated
nation. There was still another national
celebration July IA, 1915, to commence
rate Bastille Day and the defeat Of
Germany.
In the United States suggestions for
special observances and memorials have
not been wanting. They have originated
generally, however, with groups or indi-
vidual legislators and citizens.
Appropriateness Of a ceremony for
burial Of a second unknown serviceman
beside the Unknown Soldier of the
World War was suggested informally
from time to time during the late war.
A congressional resolution for that pur-
pose was introduced In April Of 1916 by
Representative Price, Democrat, of Il
linois. It was enacted into law June "a.
Establishment OF a District memorial
Is less definite as to time, type and
exact location. The original plan en-
visioned monument in Potomac Park
near the John Paul Jones statue and
about two city blocks from the monu-
ment erected in 1881 for District service
men who died in World War I. A
tentative sketch, somewhat along lines
OF the monument at Chateau Thierry,
was submitted to the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission in 1945.
No Specific Plans.
Since then, veterans organizations and
some Congressman have declared
stadium or public auditorium should be
built as living memorial" This would
require approval by the planning COM
and appropriation of funds.
Ay,%1, II -
second unknown serviceman requires no
further congressional action. The law
directs the Secretary Of War ito cause
to be brought to the United States the
remains of an American who lost his
life while serving overseas in the armed
forces of the United States during World
War II and whose identity has not been
established"
The act states further that the Sec
rotary of War shall provide for the
burial with appropriate ceremonies Of
such unknown American In the Memo
rial Amphitheater Of the National Gem
etery at Arlington, Va, near or beside
the remains Of the Unknown Soldier Of
the First World War"
Funds for this purpose would come
from the War Departments contin-
gency fund.
Unlike the resolution which in 1921 d.
rected only that the body of an unknown
American soldier be returned from Eu-
rope, the present authorization covers
all areas In which Americans. fought.
Moreover, all branches of the armed
forces agreed last May that the UNI
known serviceman in this instance may
be soldier, sailor or Marine.
When hostilities ceased in August,
1945, the Quartermaster Generals Of
flee had record of burial of 10,760 I'M
identified dead. More than 1000 have
since been positively identified. Others
have been identified as to groups, such
as crew members of a destroyed plane
A Search That Continues.
This work continues in scientific
and painstaking manner. War Depart
ment officials regard 1t as an essential
service to families of the dead and as
a means Of making certain that the
serviceman finally selected will be truly
known but to God"
How the second unknown serviceman
will be chosen has not yet been decided.
But the method Is believed to differ
considerably from that used after the
World War.
At that time, In accordance with a
resolution offered in March, 1921, by
former Representative Fish, Republican,
of New York, and subsequent appro-
priation act introduced by Senator (now
Representative Wadsworth, Republican,
Of that State, the Unknown Soldier was
selected in France.
Bodies of four unidentified men from
the battlefields of the Aisne-Marne,
Meuse- Argonne, Somme and st. Mihiel
were brought to q small hotel at
Chalons- Sur Marine. There, on October
%. 1921, Sergt. Edward Younger, who now
lies buried in Arlington Cemetery, des-
ignated one Of the coffins-the third
from his left-and this was brought to
Washington aboard Admiral Dewey's
old flagship, the U. 8. s. Olympia.
Marshal Foch and dignitaries Of all
the other Allied countries joined Pres
ident Harding, former President Wilson,
Gen. Pershing, members of Congress,
Government officials and outstanding
citizens in solemn rites in the Capitol
rotunda
Then they went, most Of them afoot,
out Pennsylvania avenue, through
Georgetown and to the shrine where
today and forever the Unknown Soldier
rests in honored glory.
when we believe 1t wrong In the hone