The Known Unknown
Episode Description
Explore the century-old tradition of the Tomb of the Unknowns, a reverential monument for unidentified soldiers killed in combat. Learn about the addition of an unknown Vietnam serviceman by President Reagan in 1984. Discover how, thanks to DNA technology, it's now unlikely any soldier will remain unidentified. Tune in for this episode and get exclusive access to bonus content with SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts.
Ideabrix Summary
The '344- The Known Unknown' episode of the '99% Invisible' podcast delves into the history and complexities surrounding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a military memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The episode opens with President Ronald Reagan's eulogy for the unidentified service member from the Vietnam War, buried alongside unknown soldiers from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. The narrative then transitions to the origins of the Tomb, tracing back to the aftermath of WWI, when mass casualties and the anonymity of soldiers killed in battle led to the concept of honoring a single, unidentified soldier to represent the collective loss and sacrifice.
The episode introduces David Railton, a British chaplain who, after witnessing the horrific aftermath of WWI, proposed the idea of the Unknown Warrior, which was embraced by Britain and later replicated by over 50 countries. The American Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established, embodying the collective mourning of a nation and allowing visitors to project their personal losses onto the anonymous figure.
As the story unfolds, the podcast reveals a shift in the tradition of the tomb with the addition of unknown soldiers from subsequent wars. However, by the time of the Vietnam War, improved battlefield evacuation tactics resulted in far fewer unidentified remains. The narrative takes a pivotal turn with the story of Michael Blassie, an Air Force pilot shot down over Vietnam. His remains were initially unidentified and later designated as the Vietnam Unknown, despite available evidence suggesting his identity.
The episode reaches a critical moment when journalist Vince Gonzalez, along with the Blassie family, uncovers a cover-up that had led to Michael Blassie's remains being buried as the Vietnam Unknown. Through a CBS News investigation and subsequent DNA testing, it was confirmed that the remains were indeed Blassie's, leading to their disinterment and proper identification.
The podcast also touches on the ceremonial aspects of the tomb, highlighting the guards' duties and the solemn atmosphere they maintain. It concludes by reflecting on the implications of DNA technology, which has made it increasingly unlikely for there to be future unknown soldiers, as well as the evolving nature of the tomb's significance.
The episode introduces David Railton, a British chaplain who, after witnessing the horrific aftermath of WWI, proposed the idea of the Unknown Warrior, which was embraced by Britain and later replicated by over 50 countries. The American Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established, embodying the collective mourning of a nation and allowing visitors to project their personal losses onto the anonymous figure.
As the story unfolds, the podcast reveals a shift in the tradition of the tomb with the addition of unknown soldiers from subsequent wars. However, by the time of the Vietnam War, improved battlefield evacuation tactics resulted in far fewer unidentified remains. The narrative takes a pivotal turn with the story of Michael Blassie, an Air Force pilot shot down over Vietnam. His remains were initially unidentified and later designated as the Vietnam Unknown, despite available evidence suggesting his identity.
The episode reaches a critical moment when journalist Vince Gonzalez, along with the Blassie family, uncovers a cover-up that had led to Michael Blassie's remains being buried as the Vietnam Unknown. Through a CBS News investigation and subsequent DNA testing, it was confirmed that the remains were indeed Blassie's, leading to their disinterment and proper identification.
The podcast also touches on the ceremonial aspects of the tomb, highlighting the guards' duties and the solemn atmosphere they maintain. It concludes by reflecting on the implications of DNA technology, which has made it increasingly unlikely for there to be future unknown soldiers, as well as the evolving nature of the tomb's significance.
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