Presidential Salute Battery in Arlington National Cemetery
Presidential Salute Battery – The BIG GUNS of “The Old Guard
In the distance, the sound of cannon fire precisely timed echoes through the hallowed grounds of the Cemetery. Those attending the final honors of a loved one, friend, compatriot, or leader hear, but don’t see the action that is executed by this elite unit in such an exacting and precise manner.
The guns are brought into Arlington National Cemetery to fire the “FINAL SALUTES” for many final honors of Flag Officers -Generals of the US Army, Marines & Admirals of the US Navy & Coastguard. The guns are placed out of sight from the mourners, but close enough to hear the loud cannon fire bursts honoring the one who has served the U. S. The guns are also fired when a visiting foreign dignitary places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns within the Cemetery.
Most people never see them —
they are the
“Ones that are always heard and rarely seen.”
THE PLATOON —
This select group of soldiers is chosen for the unit from advanced training schools where they have been trained as “indirect-fire infantrymen”. The staff of the battery consists of five soldiers and a two-man team for each gun. Standing behind the guns, there is an Officer In Charge (OIC) who initiates the firing commands, and a Non-commissioned officer who marches the battery into position and controls the firing of the backup gun.
THE GUNS —
In use since the early 1950s, they are M5s – 3″ anti-tank guns from WW II that are mounted on a Howitzer chassis. Weighing in at nearly three tons, the guns are seen and heard on the Washington DC Mall during the 4th of July festivities and the annual The US Army Band‘s (TUSAB) Summer Concert when Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is played.
FROM – The John Michael Collection:
Presidential Salute Battery “Final Salute”
US Army 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA near Washington, DC
T16071-Y Copyright 2007
Cards and Prints Division
Photography by John Michael www.John-Michael.net
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