05/29/2026
On this day in 1984, the only American Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, attended by 250,000. President Reagan, named honorary next-of-kin, delivers the eulogy at the hero’s funeral and urges greater efforts to locate the more than 2,400 service members still missing. In 1998 the remains were later identified as those of Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie, at which point he was finally able to be laid to rest in St. Lous for a hometown burial.
