Many Shipmates are unaware of the significant role the BOSTON played in the present configuration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Until 1958 the only unknown soldier interred there (since 1921) was from WW I. Many Shipmates are unaware of the significant role the BOSTON played in the present configuration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Until 1958 the only unknown soldier interred there (since 1921) was from WW I.
When people think about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they think of the United States Army. Most are unaware that every time the Unknown Soldier was brought home it was aboard a US Navy vessel. In 1958 the BOSTON played a significant role in the transportation and selection of Unknowns from theaters of WW II and Korea. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the construction and dedication of the Tomb of the Unknowns. To mark this anniversary, a detailed report of the 1958 project was commissioned.
I don't know how he tracked me down, but John Neubeiser, the representative of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, called me 1/11/21 and told me about the 100th anniversary and the new project and asked me if I would help. I told him about Mike Brady, who was aboard at the time of the BOSTON's participation in the WW II and Korea Unknown inclusion at the Tomb. I then called Mike and told him about it and Mike told me to give them his phone number. As a result, Mike and I contributed and ultimately explained some of the details of the transportation and selection ceremonies of 1958. (I actually reported aboard one week after the BOSTON returned to Norfolk from the 1958 operation.) We learned that there were some misunderstandings, some things just flat documented wrong, and some missing information in the preliminary version of the 100th Anniversary document. We pitched in and contributed, and now the fourth and final version of the document has been released. (It is a 26 page document.)
The project lead, John Neubeiser, who was a USMC officer in Vietnam and then a U.S. Government Senior Executive, has asked me to pass the final release announcement along and have the report made available to the Shipmates at large. Mike Brady is not only mentioned in the final document, he is quoted and his Navy photo is included.
The link is: Standing the Watch Alone or PDF
Art