World War II

General Information

Selection

Transport

The Selection

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Since the war was primarily fought in two theaters, there needed to be a selection of candidates from both.  The Unknown Candidate from the Pacific Theater (Trans-Pacific) would be selected at Hickam AFB in Hawaii, while the Unknown Candidate from the European Theater (Trans-Atlantic) would be selected at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in France. 

Once both theaters had been represented, a final selection would be made off the American coast.

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Trans-Pacific Unknown Candidate

After the war, all of the unidentified Americans from the Pacific Theater were buried in two locations:  the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii; and in the Fort McKinley American Cemetery and Memorial, Republic of the Philippines.  A total of six candidates would be chosen from these locations, four from the Philippines and two from Hawaii. 

While the final selection of the Trans-Pacific Unknown Candidate would be made on May 16, 1958, appropriate candidates had to be brought to Hawaii from the Pacific Theater.

On 15 April 1958, a selection committee proceeded to the cemetery, which is located in a crater  now known as the "Punchbowl", but which was originally called "Puowaina" (the Hill of Sacrifice), by Hawaiians.

Numbers from the grave markers of six completely unidentifiable servicemen had been recorded on cards and sealed in unmarked envelopes. From these six envelopes, two were selected by drawing and subsequently were taken to the Army Mortuary in Honolulu.  There the remains were examined to assure the absence of identity, and were prepared for the final selection ceremony. 

Similarly, four caskets had been chosen in the same manner at Fort McKinley, and had arrived at Hickam AFB on April 29, 1958 by US Air Force transport.

The grassy mall at the base of the water tower at Hickam Air Force Base was chosen as the site of the selection ceremony.  Honor and Color Guards from all the services participated in the services.  As a precaution, in case of inclement weather, alternate arrangements were made for holding the ceremony in the Hickam Gymnasium.

At the Army Mortuary the six unknown candidates were placed in identical caskets, in readiness for the final selection ceremony. All records pertaining to the unknown servicemen, both overseas and at home, were assembled and destroyed to prevent future speculation about the selected Candidate.

The sky on May 16 was overcast, with clouds moving gently over Hickam and adjacent Pearl Harbor, the scenes of the first attack of World War II.  After participating military personnel, invited guests and the public had taken their places, the ceremony began.

Under a canopied area the six flag-draped identical caskets had been placed in a row flanked by the Honor and Color Guards from the Armed Forces.  In the center of the lawn stood an empty bier, destined to receive the honored casket after the final selection. On the bier a white carnation lei (Hawaiian wreath) had been placed.

Colonel Glenn T. Eagleston, of the 313th Air Division (USAF), a combat pilot with an impressive record in both World War II and the Korean War, had been designated to select the Unknown Candidate to represent the Pacific Theater.

Colonel Eagleston lifted the lei from the empty bier, approached the six caskets under the canopy, and after a few seconds hesitation, placed the lei on one of the caskets.  Accompanied by a muted roll of drums, military pallbearers then carried the Trans-Pacific Unknown Candidate the waiting bier.  Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Howell G. Gum delivered a prayer of dedication, at the conclusion of which the National Anthem was played.

Trans-Atlantic         Final Selection