Discrimination and Inequality
at the Arlington Cemetery
Men of
OFFICERS
Lower Rank
and Status
– Al the time of the Civil
War, had to sleep
on the ground.
:
1 :
– Put in the swampy
sepulcher The Lower
Cemetery,”out of the
sight of officers stationed
at Arlington House.
– Originally laid to rest
practically surrounding
Mrs. Lee’s garden.
– At the time of the Civil
War, slept in the house,
despite their men sleeping
on the ground outside.
– Due to the perilous
conditions of the Korean
War, several bodies
were unable to be
recovered.
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Exception to the Rule:
General John J. “Blackjack”
Pershing, WWI hero
– Asked for private-level tombstone
among enlisted WWI vets, not caring
about scenery. The once-common hill
of enlisted privates is now known as
Pershings Hill and is traditionally one
of the most honorable burial sites in
the cemetery.
– Lt. General Walton H.
“Johnnie” Walker
was killed in a
Jeep crash in Korea; his
hotly was recovered,
transported, and showered
with salutes and military
honors in its Journey home
and burial procession.
White Soldiers
Freedmen and
African-American
Soldiers
– Segregated from white comrades.
6,1_ Slaves were among
the first to he buried
in the lower cemetery.
– Treated as subpar soldiers
in both lite and death
ittp://wwwyoutube.com/watchh=llIffhx111Nic
Arranged according to rank,
usually alongside comrades.
I
Resolution:
– Harry Truman issued Executive
Order 9901, requiring equal
treatment in burial procedures
regardless of race, color, religion,
or national origin.
– Confederates buried in
Lower Cemetery alongside
Union soldiers, but graves
not given proper care.