Edward F. Younger
Encyclopedia
Edward F. Younger was the American
United States Army
soldier
selected to choose the body to be used as America's Unknown Soldier
representing those lost by the U.S. during World War I
.
On Memorial Day
1921, four unknowns (U.S. soldiers killed in combat who were not identifiable) were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France
. U.S. Army sergeant Edward F. Younger, who had been wounded in combat, and highly decorated for valor having received the Distinguished Service Cross
during the First World War, selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I from four identical caskets at the City Hall in Châlons-en-Champagne
, France, on October 24, 1921.
Sgt. Younger selected the unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen unknown soldier was transported to the United States aboard USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery
, France.
Younger, who was from Chicago, Illinois, completed his service with the Army in 1922 and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. For many years he spoke publicly for civic and veterans organizations about the event. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
beside his wife, Agnes Anna Younger.
the Italian mother that chose a body for the unknown soldier of Italy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
selected to choose the body to be used as America's Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknowns
The Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in the United States...
representing those lost by the U.S. during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
On Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
1921, four unknowns (U.S. soldiers killed in combat who were not identifiable) were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. U.S. Army sergeant Edward F. Younger, who had been wounded in combat, and highly decorated for valor having received the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
during the First World War, selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I from four identical caskets at the City Hall in Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. It is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims....
, France, on October 24, 1921.
Sgt. Younger selected the unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen unknown soldier was transported to the United States aboard USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial
The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial is a World War I cemetery in France. It is located east of the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in Meuse. The cemetery contains the largest number of American military dead in Europe , most of whom lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne...
, France.
Younger, who was from Chicago, Illinois, completed his service with the Army in 1922 and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. For many years he spoke publicly for civic and veterans organizations about the event. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
beside his wife, Agnes Anna Younger.
See also
Maria BergamasMaria Bergamas
Maria Bergams was an Italian woman who was chosen to represent all Italian mothers who had had lost a son during World War I not knowing where he was buried.- Life :Born in Gradisca d'Isonzo 23 January, 1867 she lived for many years in Trieste...
the Italian mother that chose a body for the unknown soldier of Italy.