First African-American Woman To Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

One of the military’s greatest honors is to serve as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in Arlington National Cemetery. Sergeant Danyell Elaine Wilson has become the first African-American woman to serve as a tomb guard. Wilson, a twenty-two year old from Letohatchee, Alabama, will serve as a member of the E Company of the 3rd US Infantry, known as the Old Guard. Last March, Sgt. Heather Johnsen became the first woman to guard the tomb.