ARLINGTON, Va., May 26 (UPI) -- The Tomb of the Unknowns, which holds the remains of unidentified Americans killed in action during World War I, World War II and the Korean War, will have to be replaced, officials at Arlington National Cemetery said.
The 55-ton marble sarcophagus, situated in Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River from the District of Columbia and overlooking the capital, has developed a crack that is visible on all four sides of monument.
The Washington Post reported Monday that cemetery Superintendent John C. Metlzer said the monument will need to be replaced, a process that could take about a year and cost about $1 million.
Metzler told the newspaper, "Because the tomb itself has cracked ... I'm concerned that it will have an effect on the integrity of the tomb itself, as well as the decorative finishes."
He said the area would be closed to the public for about two weeks while a new tomb was installed, although it is not known when those repairs would occur since a suitable piece of marble has not yet been located. The tomb is a popular tourist stop, particularly during changing of the guard ceremonies, which occur through the day every day.
The Post said the crack may have started when the marble was still at the quarry in Colorado in 1931. The sarcophagus was placed over the grave of the Unknown from World War I in 1932. The crack, which became more apparent over the years, was repaired in 1989, but the Post said those cosmetic fixes may have caused additional problems. Guards at the tomb told the Post the crack and damage from it were worsening.
The sarcophagus has no official name, although the Web site of Arlington National Cemetery refers to it as the Tomb of the Unknowns. The back of the tomb is inscribed "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Solider Known but to God." On the front -- the east side, which overlooks a panorama of Washington -- are Greek figures representing Peace, Victory and Valor.
The crypt has held the remains of U.S. servicemen killed in action since 1921 when the bodies of four soldiers were exhumed from graves in France. The bodies were placed in identical caskets and Army Sgt. Edward Younger, a highly decorated veteran of World War I, chose one to be placed in the tomb. The other bodies were buried in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery in France.
The first body was interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns on Nov. 11, 1921. Bodies of unknown soldiers killed during World War II and the Korean War were buried alongside on May 30, 1958.
An unknown solder form the Vietnam War was interred in 1984. Those remains were, though DNA testing, subsequently identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie. The body was exhumed and buried closer to Blassie's family home. It was decided that the crypt that had contained the Vietnam War Unknown would remain empty.
The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day by the Tomb Guard of the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment.
