The Holly chieftain., 1922-05-25
BY JESSIE DELL,

BY JESSIE DELL,
Historian ouartermaster corps. United Army)
INV THE quartermaster corps of the
United States army has fallen the
reyerent task of bringing home the
soldier dead. returned for burial
der the stars and stripes.
nsN4N On March 80 last, the army trans
MZSAM port Cambrai reached New York with
Gp H9HM 1924 fag-draped collins. With her
M Nh arrival, the solemn duty of the quar-
Y& >GII termaster corps of returning the bod
MAR&APH les of those who fell In France
NHAMy& practically completed.
80 W There left over sens now only
325 bodies to be brought back to the
United States, the last of the 4441S Of those
Americans who will be buried In the homeland
About $4,000 more will sleep forever overseas ac-
eordiRg to the desires of their next of kin
At this time 1t is fitting to tell our people just
how America has been returning to the bosom Of
their native land the mortal remains Of thousands
Of her sons who followed the flag
Into that realm where battle 'nAgs are furied
And war drums throb no longer.
This sacred duty, under the direction Of Major
General H. L. Rogers, quartermaster general of
the army, Is performed by the graves registration
service through the cemeterial division and the
efficient, sympathetic and reverent manner in
which 1t Is done has been a source of satisfaction
to every one.
That one may visualize the work involved
Its methods and operations in preparing our SOL
dier dead for the last journey-we will endeavor
to draw picture which will show, step by STEP
bow this has been accomplished
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
ready for the days work and with trucks con-
taning all materials necessary-tOols Implements
caskets and shipping boxes-they start on their
way to the sacred regions where lie our soldier
dead Each unit has Its corps of highly-special
tied and technical men In mortuary affairs (em
balmers, undertakers and technical asslstants) to
perform this service The working squads or la
borers are composed chiefly of ex-service men,
Guards and watchmen attached to each unit
are also discharged American soldiers, and during
the time that the bodies under the Jurisdiction
Of operating units, this guard Is constantly on
duty over them. commissioned officer filling
dual capacity Of commanding officer and Inspector
Is In command of each unit.
Once at the graveA excavating Is commenced
When the bodies are reached only one is al.
lowed to be lifted to the surface of the ground at
time, In order that no possible chance will be
taken in confusing Identities. This Is require
ment rigdly adhered to. The outer wrapping OF
the body is removed and search Is made for identi.
hcation tags and marks; when found they are Sc
curely fastened TO the remains; the body Is then
wrapped in new, clean blanket
The Identification disk and long narrow strip
IF aluminium, showing name, rank and organIza-
ton, taken from the cross star which marked
the grave, Ia pinned to the blanket over the chest
of the dead Tenderly lifting and placing the body
in metallic container Is the next STEP using
soft, fat cushions as padding to hold the body
steady; after this soft, clean sheet is carefully
tucked in further Insuring against the shifting
OF the body during transportation
After this the metallic container is placed in
its silk-ilned casket OF chestnut wood or oak and
1t, too. is securely fastened; across the head Of
the lid Is attached narrow aluminium strip show
Ing the name serial number rank and organiza-
tion Of the soldier, and the number Of the grave
and cemetery from which the body was taken
The casket Is then placed In the shipping box,
which has been secured by the blocks Of white
wood or chestnut, covered with white plush to
prevent marring or scratching the casket
Name rank and organization is then stenciled
on each end of the shipping case. A tag giving
the name and address Of the consignee Is tackled
to the SIDE and the whole box Is enveloped with
our flag. which remains until the body is placed
on the transport for sailing.
The sun sinking low in the West all bodies
which have been exhumed entirely prepared for
shipment for this Ia another requirement which
u rgidly adhered to. The bodies are then placed