World War II

General Information

Selection

Transport

Trans-Atlantic Unknown Candidate

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Selection of the Trans-Atlantic Unknown Candidate was conducted on May 12, 1958 at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in France. As was the case with the Trans-Pacific ceremonies, the first task was to have a representative group of remains assembled, from which an Unknown Candidate to represent those lost in the European Theater would be selected.

To assure that all the unidentifiable dead of the European Theater  were properly represented, 13 principals and 13 alternates were designated for disinterment. The 13 completely unidentifiable servicemen, were assembled in the mortuary in Frankfurt, Germany.  Once in Frankfurt, the caskets were rearranged by successive teams of military personnel to assure their anonymity. On April 25, 1958 all pertinent documents were destroyed.

A suspension-span, white wooden canopy was erected at the cemetery, appropriately draped with red, white and blue bunting and equipped with floodlights.  

The cemetery is located in the Moselle River valley near the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, and is the final resting place of 5,255 American war dead, and the names of 424 missing servicemen.

The weather in France seemed to mirror that in Hawaii, with overcast skies.  The 13 caskets were moved and placed on catafalques beneath the white canopy at the north end of the cemetery's Court of Honor.  The caskets, draped with American flags, overlooked a long grassy Mall that terminated at a flagpole on which the National Colors flew at half-staff.  Flanking the Mall on either side were the white crosses and Stars of David, of the American military dead. Honor and Color Guards from each of the services entered the cemetery, and took their place facing the 13 caskets.

Lieutenant General Edward Joseph O'Neil, United States Army, was designated to make the selection of the Trans-Atlantic Unknown Candidate.

LTG O'Neil moved briskly to a position near the bottom of the steps in front of the canopy-area, saluted the row of caskets, and bowed his head as the Chaplain offered a prayer of guidance. LTG O'Neill then ascended the steps diagonally and walked slowly past the 13 caskets, momentarily pausing in front of each casket. Next he descended the steps to his original position and faced the mall as his aide came forward with the selection wreath of red and white carnations, in the form of a white star on a crimson field against an evergreen background.

General O'Neill again ascended the steps, moving slowly to the fifth casket from the east. After standing the wreath in front of this casket, he stepped back and saluted.  The ceremony was concluded with "Taps," the National Anthem, and the benediction.