Arlington National Cemetery enters the account as the place where Sergeant John Rice was to be buried with full military honors after officials in Sioux City refused his burial. The arrangements, made by Harry S. Truman, turned the cemetery into the destination for a family whose original burial plans had been blocked by racial discrimination.

Role in the Account

One August morning at Blair House, Truman read that Rice, a Winnebago soldier killed in action, had been denied burial at Sioux City Memorial Park because of his race. The refusal came as his casket was about to be lowered into the grave. Arlington National Cemetery became the alternative burial place arranged in response.

Sergeant Rice’s Burial

Truman acted by telephone. Within minutes, arrangements had been made for Rice to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. An Air Force plane was also sent to bring Rice’s widow and three children to Washington. The passage links the cemetery not only to the soldier’s burial, but to the effort to bring his family to the ceremony.

Significance in the Episode

The move from a rejected burial in Sioux City to an arranged burial at Arlington marks a direct response to discrimination. The account presents the cemetery as the site of that corrective action, while emphasizing the concrete steps taken: a new burial place, military honors, and transportation for Rice’s family. Truman regarded these arrangements as the least he could do as President.