After a near assassination on June 28th, 1967, when a bullet struck Rockwell's car only inches from his head, he typed his will and gave his second-in-command Matt Koehl control over his remains in the event of his death. He specified to be buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery, which was his right as a veteran.
After Rockwell's assassination on August 25th of the same year, the Defense Department approved Rockwell's burial in Culpeper but made the demand that no swastikas or other Nazi regalia could be worn by attendees, though Rockwell himself was to be buried in his own "Nazi" uniform.
The American Nazi Party ignored the demands, some showing up to the August 29th funeral in uniform and with a swastika wreath. Matt Koehl carried Rockwell's own copy of Mein Kampf. When informed of the ruling against the Nazi regalia, Koehl insisted they meant to bury Rockwell with party honors. The ANP's refusal to remove the emblems created a five hour stand off, after which an army general gave a fifteen minute warning to comply. Some Nazis began jumping on the roof of the hearse, screaming and attempting to attack the MPs. Multiple arrests ensued.
After the fifteen minutes were up, the Defense Department officially withdrew approval for Rockwell's burial in the cemetery. Koehl was left with no choice but to return with the body to Arlington, VA, where Rockwell had lived and established ANP headquarters. The body was kept in a funeral home overnight, and it was decided the only option was to cremate Rockwell, which took place on August 30th.
The ashes were kept under armed guard at the party barracks. Today they reside in a secret location.
(Source: For Race and Nation: George Lincoln Rockwell & the American Nazi Party by William H. Schmaltz)
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