The Idaho recorder., 1922-05-26
ar zZz5 REA0"
BY JESSIE DELL,

by OELl,
tHl'tor'aa euart'rmassr Corps United States Armyo
"<O 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.
ns<EM On March 80 last, the army trans
NLSNbN port Cambria reached New York with
W. VyN 1,224 flag g-draped collins With her
M MH arrival, the solemn duty OF the quar-
YM GEt termaser corps of returning the bod
M9HENEN les Of those who fell In France was
NMNSA practically completed.
GSU w There left over seas now only
325 bodies to be brought back to the
United States the last OF the 44,4lS of those
Americans who will be buried In the homeland.
About $4,000 will sleep forever overseas. ac-
cordng to the desires of their next of kin.
At this time It Is fitting to tell 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 tina, realm where battle nass turlsd
And drums throb no longer.
This sacred duty, under the direction OF Major
General ii. 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 II In done has been 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 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-
taning all materials nccezsary-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
lied and technical men In mortuary affairs (em.
bamers, undertakers and technical assistants) To
perform this service. The working squads or la-
borers are composed chiefly of exservce men.
Guards and watchmcn 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 A commissioned officer hlling n
dual capacity OF commanding officer and Inspector
IN In command of each unit.
Once at the graves. excayating Is commenced.
When the bodies reached only one Is al
lowed to be lifted To the surface OF the ground at
time In order that possible chance will be
taken In confusing Identities. This Is require
tpent rigidly adhered to- The outer wrapping ot
the body is removed aud search Is made for ident
ncatIon tags and marks; when found they are Sc
eureiy fastened to the remains; the body Is then
wrapped In a new, clean blanket
The Identification disk and long narrow strlr
of aluminium, showing name. rank and organiEa
ton. taken from the or star which markec
the grave. Is pinned TO the blanket over the ches
Of the dead. Tenderly lifting and placing the bod!
In a metallic container Is the next step, usni
soft nat cushions as padding to hold the bod
steady; after this soft. clean sheet Is carefully
tucked In. further insurlng against the shifting
OF the body during transportation.
After this the metallic container Is placed 4
its silk-lined casket Of chestnut wood oak, an
IT, too Is securely fastened; across the head q
the lid Is attached n narrow aluminium strip show
ing the name, serial number rank and organizI
ton OF the soldier. and the number OF the gray
and cemetery from which the body takeI
The casket Is then placed In the shipping bo,
which has been secured by the blocks OF whit
wood or chestnut. covered with white plush
prevent marring scratching the casket.
Name, rank and organization is then stenclle
on each end OF the shipping case, tag giviu
the name and address OF the consignee Is tacke
to the side. and the whole box Is enyeloped wit
our flag which remains until the body Is place
on the transport for sailing
The sinking low In the West sees all bod,
which have been exhumed entirely prepared {,
shipment, for this Is another requirement whiC
- rigidy adhered to. The bodies are then place