JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - A total of 53 Arlington National Cemetery funerals and memorial services were conducted on the days of April 15 and 17, but two services received extraordinary media attention.
A Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall April 15 morning was somber as one of five fatalities of an Afghanistan helicopter accident, Army Capt. Sara Knutson Cullen made her final journey from Memorial Chapel to ANC's section 60. Cullen, a West Point alum who was attached to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, died March 11 during a night training mission.
The afternoon of April 17, Army Lt. Col. Don C. Faith Jr. was buried in ANC's section 4. Faith was a veteran of World War II and continued to serve during the Korean conflict. In December 1950, Faith and his 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), later renamed "Task Force Faith," were encircled and overrun near the Chosin Reservoir.
Though seriously wounded, Faith assisted in regrouping his troops and personally led an assault against enemy forces. He died from his wounds Dec. 2, 1950, and his remains were not recovered at that time. Faith was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle. In 2004, his remains were recovered and returned to the United States for identification.
Under a sky mixed with sun and clouds, Faith was laid to rest next to his parents, Army Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Faith Sr. and Katherine Reinsel Faith. As The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" played "America the Beautiful" the flag draped over Faith's coffin was folded by The Old Guard soldiers and presented to Faith's daughter, Bobbie Broyles. The flag presentation was made by Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, National Capital Region/Military District of Washington commander.
"It was a tremendous honor to represent the Army and our nation in paying respects to one of our country's greatest heroes," Linnington said in a statement to the Pentagram. "Lt. Col. Faith's incredible service and heroism in combat are an inspiration to not just our Korean War veterans, but all veterans, and especially our soldiers in uniform today."
A total of 125 attended the Faith Memorial service, which began at JBM-HH's Memorial Chapel. Faith was a native of Washington, Ind.
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