Bob Dole’s final resting place announced ahead of services in Washington and Kansas

Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery after several days of tributes and ceremonies celebrating the late politician and World War II veteran.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation confirmed that Dole will be buried in the Virginia cemetery that honors those who have served the nation and is the final resting place for former Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Taft.

The date of his burial has not yet been determined, according to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Prior to the burial there will be memorial services at Washington National Cathedral and in Kansas, where Dole will be honored in his hometown of Russell and in Topeka at the Capitol.

Dole enlisted in the Army during World War II and started the war as a second lieutenant for the 10th Mountain Division. Less than a month before German troops would lay down their weapons, Dole’s squad was trying to retake a hill in central Italy. Dole crawled to rescue a wounded soldier and was shot in his right arm, fracturing his neck and spine.

While he was awarded the Bronze Star with two clusters and two Purple Hearts for his valor, Dole arrived home in a full body cast, his dreams of becoming a doctor dashed. His right arm remained paralyzed for the rest of his life and he never regained the ability to use all of his fingers in his left hand.

This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 12:44 PM.

Daniel Desrochers

McClatchy DC

Daniel Desrochers covers Congress for the Kansas City Star. Previously, he was the political reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky. He also worked for the Charleston Gazette-Mail in Charleston, West Virginia.