The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-05-27

BY JESSIE DELL, ...
(I5storian Quartermaster Corps United States ARMY
NV THE quartermaster corps Of the
United States army has fallen the
reverent task Of bringing home the
soldier dead returned for burial un-
der the stars and stripes
u1!rA On March 80 last, the army trans
. ; !:
NEKSNN port Cambria reached New York with
W. WA 1924 fag-draped collins. With her
M M arrival, the solemn duty Of the quar-
VX Nh termaster corps Of returning the bod
M1pk&PH les OF those who fell in France. was
VMS$YA practically completed.
SUV There are left over seas now only
1926 bodies to be brought back to the
United States, the last Of the 44,418 Of those
Americans who will be buried in the homeland.
About 900 more will sleep forever overseas. &C
cording to the desires of their next Of kin.
At this time it 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 bat tie flags furled
And war drums throb 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 source Of satisfaction
to every one
mat one may visualize NoTh AuSOAScu-
its methods and operations in preparing our SOL
der dead for the last journey-we will endeavor
to draw a picture which will show, step by step.
how this has been accomplished.
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
ready for the days work and with trucks con-
tanning 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
ICED and technical men in mortuary affairs (em-
balmers undertakers and technical assistants) to
perform this service. The working squads or Ia
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 are under the jurisdiction
Of operating units this guard is constantly on
duty over them A commissioned officer filling
dual capacity Of commanding officer and inspector
is In command Of each unit.
Once at the graves, excavating Is commenced
When the bodies are reached, only one is al
lowed be lifted to the surface of the ground at
a time in order that possible chance will be
taken In confusing Identities. This IS a require
ment rigidly adhered to. The outer wrapping Of
the body is removed and search is made for ident
fcaton tags and marks; when found they are Sc
curey fastened to the remains; the body Is then
wrapped in new clean blanket
The identification disk and long narrow strip
of aluminium showing name, rank and organiza-
ton, taken from the cross or star which marked
the grave, is pinned to the blanket over the chest
Of the dead Tenderly lifting and placing the body
in a metallic container is the next step. using
soft fiat 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-lined casket Of chestnut wood or oak, and
it, too is securely fastened; across the head OF
the lid is attached narrow aluminium strip SHOW
ing the name. serial number, rank and organiza-
ton 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 llas been secured by the blocks OF white
wood Or chestnut covered with white plush to
prevent marring scratching the casket.
Name rank and organization is then stenciied
on each end of the shipping case. tag giving
. the name and address of the consignee Is tacked
to the side and the whole box is enveloped with
our flag which remains until the body is placed
the transport for sailing.
The sun sinking low in the west sees all pou.es
which have been exhumed entirely prepared ~
shipment, for this Is another requirement WIG"
is rigidly adhered to. The bodies are theh p'ate