Military Technology Preview

Tour Overview

This tour contains three types of stops: HONOR stops mark the gravesites of specific indivudals. REMEMBER stops commemorate events, ideas, and groups of people. EXPLORE stops invite you to discover what history means to you.

Introduction

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for approximately 400,000 service members and their families. We remember and honor the individuals buried here for their service to the nation—whether on the battlefield or at a research center, in uniform or not. This walking tour honors those individuals buried at Arlington who dedicated their careers to technology and innovation. Some, like Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper, did so while serving in the military. Others, like George Westinghouse and William Hammer, contributed to technological advancement outside of their military service.Although this walking tour focuses on individuals, technological innovation depends on collaboration. Collaboration is found in many forms — between individuals across military, civilian and private organizations, and over time as scientists and engineers build on, maintain, and improve the work of their predecessors. While reading about the individuals on this tour, notice the connections. What existing technologies were they using and adapting? Who were they working with? What is the legacy of their work?

1

Vice Admiral Hyman Rickover

Pioneered nuclear propulsion in the U.S. Navy, overseeing the development of the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, and establishing the foundation of the modern Nuclear Navy. Directed creation of the first commercial nuclear power plant, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, advancing peaceful applications of nuclear energy. Set enduring standards of safety and engineering excellence in naval and civilian nuclear power, earning two Congressional Gold Medals and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions.

2

George Westinghouse

Invented the air brake, revolutionizing railroad safety and operations worldwide. Founded Westinghouse Electric Company and championed alternating current (AC) technology. Secured victory for AC power through landmark projects like the 1893 World’s Fair and Niagara Falls generators.

3

Surgeon General George Miller Sternberg

Advanced medical research by inventing a neutralization test that aided in the eventual eradication of yellow fever and helped detect new viruses. Founded the Army Medical School, promoting scientific research, preventive medicine, and sanitation within the military. Commissioned Walter Reed’s yellow fever research, leading to the discovery that mosquitoes transmit the disease.

4

General Montgomery Meigs

Established Arlington National Cemetery in 1864 and oversaw its early development, including the Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns and McClellan Gate. Engineered the Washington Aqueduct, securing a reliable water supply for Washington, D.C., that remains in use today. Supervised construction of the U.S. Capitol dome and wings, achieving one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century.

5

Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial

On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after takeoff, killing all seven crew members. ​The Challenger launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:38 a.m. It was the shuttle’s 10th mission into space. The goal of the mission was to deploy a communications satellite and to deploy an astronomy spacecraft to study Halley’s Comet. Most famously, the Challenger also carried the first teacher to go to space, Christa McAuliffe, who would teach science lessons from orbit. ​On the morning of the launch, the shuttle’s engineers expressed concerns about how unexpectedly cold weather might affect the integrity of the seals on the solid rocket boosters. Overnight, the temperature had dipped below freezing, and at the time of the launch it was 36 degrees Fahrenheit – 15 degrees colder than the next coldest launch temperature. After listening to the engineers’ concerns, managers decided that the temperature was not enough of a reason to delay the launch, and they cleared Challenger for liftoff. This was a fatal mistake. ​

6

William J. Hammer

Advanced electric lighting technology as Edison’s assistant, helping develop and test the incandescent lamp and establish the first public power station in London. Promoted global adoption of electricity, overseeing Edison’s lighting projects and exhibitions across Europe’s world’s fairs. Led the U.S. Army’s Inventions Section in World War I, evaluating and managing military technological innovationsand intelligence efforts.

7

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

Pioneered computer programming by helping develop the Mark I, the Navy’s first automatic computing machine, and writing its first operations manual. Standardized Navy computer languages, creating systems that improved efficiency and data management across military operations. Broke barriers in service and leadership, retiring as a rear admiral and receiving top honors including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

Explore: The Queen of Coding

Every time you turn on your computer, you owe a debt to Grace Hopper. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. Speaking of her contributions to military-technological innovation and social change, President Obama remarked: “If Wright is flight, and Edison is light, then Hopper is code.”

8

Colonel Francis X. "Duke" Kane

Advanced U.S. space technology in the 1960s–1970s. Developed missile warning and defense systems. Helped lay the foundation for GPS and space shuttle re-entry.

Explore: Mapping Arlington National Cemetery

Today, Arlington National Cemetery uses GPS, GIS (Geographic Information System) and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to manage the cemetery’s grounds. These technologies are crucial to the cemetery’s mission to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of individuals buried here, and to enable visitors to explore the nation’s history.

9

Private Ted Hall

Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941 and served aboard the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. Gave his life during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the USS Oklahoma was sunk. Became part of a landmark postwar identification effort, with his remains included in the USS Oklahoma crew whose identification was later pursued using advanced DNA analysis.

Explore: Identifying Remains

There are two types of DNA used for forensic testing and identification: nuclear DNA (nucDNA), which is found in the nucleus of the cell, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is found in the mitochondria.

10

Lt. Thomas Etholen Selfridge

Designed the AEA’s first airplane, the Red Wing (1908), contributing directly to early aircraft development. Became the first U.S. military officer to pilot an aircraft, flying the AEA’s White Wing in 1908. Advanced U.S. military aviation as a test pilot, conducting trials of dirigibles and the Wright brothers’ Model A for the U.S. Army.

Conclusion

You've reached the end of the Military Technology Walking Tour. We hope you enjoyed your time exploring the cemetery and learning about the lives of these groundbreaking service members!You can explore additional content and resources on the Arlington National Cemetery Education Program website, or find more tours through Arlington National Cemetery's STQRY.