Edward F. Younger

Who was Edward F. Younger?

Edward F. Younger was the American United States Army soldier selected to choose the body to be used as America's Unknown Soldier representing those lost by the U.S. during World War I.

On Memorial Day 1921, four unknowns were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France. U.S. Army sergeant Edward F. Younger, who had been wounded in combat, and highly decorated for valor having received the Distinguished Service Cross during the First World War, selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I from four identical caskets at the City Hall in Châlons-en-Champagne, France, on October 24, 1921.

Sgt. Younger selected the unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen unknown soldier was transported to the United States aboard USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery, France.

Younger, who was from Chicago, Illinois, completed his service with the Army in 1922 and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. For many years he spoke publicly for civic and veterans organizations about the event. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery beside his wife, Agnes Anna Younger.