Society of the Honor Guard
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Duty Position(s):
Sergeant of the Guard
Relief:
Dates:
April 1941 - July 1941

Brief Army History:
Enlisted PA National Guard - 1937
Active Duty, World War II
PA National Guard 1937 - 1938
Regular Army Horse Cavalry 1938 - 1941
WWII Mechanized Cavalry 1941 - 1945

Units:
103rd Cavalry, Pennsylvania National Guard
3rd Cavalry (Horse) Regiment, Fort Myer, VA
US Army Air Corps
1st Recon Troop, 1st Infantry Division, Europe
Combat Readiness Training Center, Fort Riley

Awards / Decorations:
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Medal
(w/3 BSS & 2 Bronze Arrowheads)
World War II Victory Medal
French Fourragere
Tomb Guard Identification Badge

After the Army:
I was released to the Inactive Reserve in January 1945, since I had not recuperated enough to be returned to full duty. I worked for several insurance companies and then finally went into business for myself as an Independent Insurance Agent. Thanks to God and the 100% support of my wife we survived the early struggles and had a good business until my retirement after 43 years..

Family Information:
Married to my nurse, 2LT Helen Adams (also from Pennsylvania), at Walter Reed General Hospital in 1944. We had 50 wonderful years together and we have always been proud of our three children: Anne, George Jr., and Karl. We both shared a very deep faith in God and have been active in the Lutheran Church in one capacity or another.

Current Occupation:
Retired

Service Organizations:
Society of the 1st US Infantry Division
National Order of Battlefield Commissions
Veterans of Foreign Wars
American Legion
US Cavalry Association

Most Memorable Moment at Tomb:
I would say my very first day there. I had just turned 21 and been promoted to Sergeant when I was selected to be the Sergeant of the Guard. I was deeply honored, especially since I did not believe that I would get the assignment because of my age.

The first day I was walking on air. I always enjoyed the nights when the people were gone and I sat on the steps looking out over the Potomac River at the Lincoln Memorial and Washington DC, watching the Sentinel as he walked the mat. There were no lights on the plaza at the time.

I thank the Society for honoring me as the Honorary Sergeant of the Guard for 1999-2000. It was indeed a privilege that you allowed me to place the first red rose at our service. It was very emotional experience for me as my thoughts, as they always are when I visit ANC and the Tomb, go to my fallen comrades who lie in foreign fields as well as one in ANC.

Campaigns:
Anti-Submarine (1941-1945)
*Algeria-French Morocco (1942)
*Tunisia (1942-1943)
*Sicily (1943)

Highest Rank:
2nd Lieutenant (O-1)
**Battle Field Commission