With flawless precision, a testament to their expert horsemanship and endless days of drilling in the saddle, a regiment of cavalrymen wheeled their mounts to form two lines flanking the entrance to the US Capitol. The sharp ring of cold steel echoed off the pavement and marble buildings as they drew their blades in unison.
While drizzly rain dripped from their hats and soaked into their dress uniforms, eight men slowly lifted a flag-draped coffin off the caisson. Sergeant Samuel Woodfill of the US Army infantry, Sergeant Harry Taylor of the cavalry, Sergeant Thomas D. Saunders of the engineers, Sergeant Louis Razga of the coast artillery, Sergeant James W. Dell of the field artillery, Chief Torpedo Man James Delaney of the Navy, Chief Water Tender Charles Lee O’Connor of the US Navy, and Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson of the US Marine Corps elevated the body of the Unknown Soldier to shoulder height and marched beneath the upraised cavalry sabers and up the long flight of granite steps.
Beneath the day’s fading light spilling from windows high above, they gingerly placed the body upon the specially prepared platform in the Rotunda. Here the Unknown Soldier would lie in state before the final journey to his eternal resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.
Within minutes, some of the most powerful men in the country joined the Body Bearers to pay their respects to this exemplar of America’s fallen heroes. The president, vice president, speaker of the house, chief justice, secretary of war and secretary of the navy all laid flowers around the platform. But in the minds of the military men who formed an honor guard around the body, likely the most important visitor that night was the last.
In solemn silence, General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing strode across the rotunda in his dress uniform. Having witnessed firsthand the terrible carnage of World War I, he understood the price of victory in a way that the other dignitaries could only begin to imagine. He tenderly laid a large wreath of pink chrysanthemums in tribute to the Unknown Soldier, who had fought and died at his command. Then, the general stepped back and drew himself up to his full height before snapping a sharp military salute.
Pershing, the Body Bearers, and the Unknown Soldier had come full circle. They had left America’s shores years earlier, prepared to sacrifice, yet not fully comprehending the true cost of war. One had paid the ultimate price, but each had come home forever changed by battles won and friends lost.
--This text refers to the
paperback edition.
A breakthrough book with a crackling narrative. Prepare to discover an iconic American saga long hidden in plain sight.
-- "Adam Makos, author of A Higher Call"
The Unknowns is not only the story of the Unknown Soldier but that of the unknown comrades who carried him there. Their stories of courage in deadly combat are finally made known to the rest of us in searing detail.
-- "Glenn F. Williams, PhD, US Army Center of Military History"
A gripping read...O'Donnell's focus on the body bearers makes The Unknowns stand out from the normal war story. He shows how their exploits brought them to the notice of General. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force...Few authors have the same kind of enthusiasm and gusto that O'Donnell brings to his topic. His gift is taking the reader from the map room to the battlefield. It's an exciting, often harrowing, trip worth taking.
-- "USA Today (3 1/2 stars)"
A powerful and timely tribute to the Americans who fought a century ago in the First World War. Superb history brilliantly told.
-- "Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author"
Brilliant...The Unknowns presents the awe-inspiring and profoundly moving story of the Great War from the viewpoint of the men who fought, sacrificed, and bled to win it.
-- "James Lacey, author of Pershing"
Conveys the reverence and honor which is deserved from the citizens of this nation to all of those who go in harm's way to protect us and guarantee our rights and freedoms.
-- "New York Journal of Books"
Highly readable and extremely interesting, The Unknowns is a masterful tour de force of that bygone era.
-- "Col. Richard Camp, author of The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I"
O'Donnell brings to life America's involvement in the Great War through the stories of eight body bearers for an unidentified fallen soldier...O'Donnell does his subject justice, beginning with the book's inspiration, his giving Marines a tour of the battlefields in France...A thrilling title for readers interested in WWI and an excellent primer for understanding the full significance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
-- "Booklist"
O'Donnell has succeeded admirably in conveying that we need heroes as much as we need reminders of war...A solid volume, written with a twist, and the battle scenes are as good as you'll find in John Keegan's classic The Face of Battle.
-- "Library Journal"
--This text refers to an alternate
kindle_edition edition.
Review
A breakthrough book with a crackling narrative. Prepare to discover an iconic American saga long hidden in plain sight.
-- "Adam Makos, author of A Higher Call"
The Unknowns is not only the story of the Unknown Soldier but that of the unknown comrades who carried him there. Their stories of courage in deadly combat are finally made known to the rest of us in searing detail.
-- "Glenn F. Williams, PhD, US Army Center of Military History"
A gripping read...O'Donnell's focus on the body bearers makes The Unknowns stand out from the normal war story. He shows how their exploits brought them to the notice of General. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force...Few authors have the same kind of enthusiasm and gusto that O'Donnell brings to his topic. His gift is taking the reader from the map room to the battlefield. It's an exciting, often harrowing, trip worth taking.
-- "USA Today (3 1/2 stars)"
A powerful and timely tribute to the Americans who fought a century ago in the First World War. Superb history brilliantly told.
-- "Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author"
Brilliant...The Unknowns presents the awe-inspiring and profoundly moving story of the Great War from the viewpoint of the men who fought, sacrificed, and bled to win it.
-- "James Lacey, author of Pershing"
Conveys the reverence and honor which is deserved from the citizens of this nation to all of those who go in harm's way to protect us and guarantee our rights and freedoms.
-- "New York Journal of Books"
Highly readable and extremely interesting, The Unknowns is a masterful tour de force of that bygone era.
-- "Col. Richard Camp, author of The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I"
O'Donnell brings to life America's involvement in the Great War through the stories of eight body bearers for an unidentified fallen soldier...O'Donnell does his subject justice, beginning with the book's inspiration, his giving Marines a tour of the battlefields in France...A thrilling title for readers interested in WWI and an excellent primer for understanding the full significance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
-- "Booklist"
O'Donnell has succeeded admirably in conveying that we need heroes as much as we need reminders of war...A solid volume, written with a twist, and the battle scenes are as good as you'll find in John Keegan's classic The Face of Battle.
-- "Library Journal"
--This text refers to the
audioCD edition.
About the Author
Patrick K. O'Donnell is a bestselling, critically acclaimed military historian and an expert on elite units. He is the author of eleven books, including Washington's Immortals, We Were One, and Dog Company, and he is the recipient of several national awards. He served as a combat historian in a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and speaks often on espionage, special operations, and counterinsurgency. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks' award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers and for scores of documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel, Fox News, and Discovery. He is also a regular contributor to several national publications and shows.
Dan Woren is an American voice actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has worked extensively in animation, video games, and feature films. He is best known for his many roles in anime productions such as Bleach and as the voice of Sub-Zero in the video game Mortal Kombat.
--This text refers to the
audioCD edition.
![The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America's Unknown Soldier and WWI's Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home by [Patrick K. O'Donnell]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51EOOFZFMiL._SY346_.jpg)
