, 1922-05-25
BY JESSIE DELL,

tHistorisu. ouartermaster Corps. United States Army)
o II quartermaster corps Of the
United States army has fallen the
reverent task of bringing home the
soldier dead, returned for burial I'M
der the stars and stripes.
NMSM On March 80 last, the army trans
MLENM port Cambria reached New York with
NV SM 1924 fag-draped collins. With her
MI M arrival. the solemn duty of the quar-
NJ 1W termaster corps OF returning the bod
MSl9AM les of those who fell in France. was
NGMN%R practically completed.
@D " There are left over seas now only
325 bodies to be brought back to the
United States. the last of the Z, LAS of those
Americans who will he buried In the homeland.
About $1,000 more will sleep forever overseas. ac-
rording 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
sf her sons who followed the flag
Into that realm where battle flags are furIed
This sacred duty, under the direction OF Major
General III. l.. Rogers, quartermaster general of
the army. rs 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
der dead for the last journey-we Will endeavor
to draw a picture which will show, step by step.
" tuS "a uteu accomplished.
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
ready for the days work and with trucks con-
taining 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 hlghly-speclal-
lied and technical men In mortuary affairs lem.
balmers, underwriters and technical assistants) to
perform this service. The working squads or la
borers are composed chiefly OF ex-service men.
Guards and watchmen attached to each unit
nEn alec Il.
the time that the bodies are under the Jurisdiction
Of operating units, this guard Is constantly on
duty over them. A commissioned officer filling a
dual capacity OF commanding officer and inspector
Is In command Of each unit.
Once at the graves. excavating Is commenced.
When the bodies nre reached. only one is al
lowed to be lifted to the surface OF the ground Mt
Il time. In order that no possible chance Will be
taken In confusing Identities. This is a require
ment rigldly adhered to. The outer wrapping OF
the body Is removed and search is made for identi-
hcatlon tags and marks when found they are Sc
curely fastened TO the remains; the body Is then
wrapped In n 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
" the dead. Tenderly lifting and pacing the body
In a metallic contalner Is the next step. using
soft, fiat cushions as padding to hold the body
steady after this a soft, clean sheet is carefully
tucked In. further lnsuring against the shifting
Of the body during transportation.
After this the metallic c~ontalner Is placed I'm
its silk-lined casket Of chestnut wood or oak. ana
II, too. Is securely fastened across the head of
the lid Is attached n narrow aluminium strip show.
Ing the name, serial number, rank and organlza-
tion Of the soldier. and the number OF the grave
and cemetery from which the body was taken.
The casket IL then plnced In the shipping box,
which has been secured by the blocks OF white
wood or chestnut, covered with white plush TO
prevent mhrring or scratching the casket.
Name. rank and organization Is then stenciIed
on each end OF the shipping case. A ting giving
the name and address OF the consignee Is tackled
20 the side, and the whole box Is enveloped with
our TAG, which remains until the body Is placed
IN the transport for sailing.
The sun sinking low In the West sees all bodies
which have been exhumed entirely prepared for
shipment. for this Is another requirement which
h rS'diJ adhered to. The bodies are then placed