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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the remains of the war dead actually buried at the overseas American military cemeteries?

Yes, the remains of American war dead are buried at these cemeteries. The interment of remains of World War I and II war dead at permanent overseas American military cemeteries was made by the American Graves Registration Service, Quartermaster General of the War Department. When the interment program was completed the cemeteries were turned over to the American Battle Monuments Commission for maintenance and administration.

Do host countries charge rent or tax to use the land on which ABMC cemeteries are located?

No, use of the land was granted in perpetuity by the host country free of charge or taxation.

Who was eligible for interment at the overseas American military cemeteries?

Except for Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, burial in ABMC cemeteries is limited by the agreements with host countries to members of the U.S. armed forces who died overseas during the wars. U.S. civilians serving with our armed forces and Red Cross workers and entertainers serving the military were treated as members of the armed forces for burial entitlement. The agreement with the Philippine government permitted members of the Philippine Scouts and Philippine Army units that fought with U.S. forces in the Philippines to be interred at Manila American Cemetery.

Can discharged veterans of the World Wars be interred at the overseas American military cemeteries?

No, ABMC does not provide veterans’ interment benefits. Unlike the national cemeteries administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, all permanent American military cemeteries on foreign soil are “closed” except for the remains of servicemen and women lost during the World Wars that may be found on the battlefields.

What information is inscribed on grave markers at these cemeteries?

The decedent’s full name, rank, date of death, unit, and state of entry into military service.

How can I locate the interment site of a decedent interred at an overseas American military cemetery?

This web site contains databases of the names of those interred or memorialized at the overseas American military cemeteries and memorials. The databases can be searched through the “Search ABMC Databases” links in the navigation bar to the left. Inquiries also can be sent to info@abmc.gov.

Why were the remains of some war dead repatriated to the U.S. for permanent interment and the remains of other war dead interred overseas?

Following World War I and II, the interment of the remains of war dead was carried out by the American Graves Registration Service, Quartermaster General of the War Department. At that time, the next of kin authorized to make the decision regarding their loved one’s interment was given the option of having the remains returned to the U.S. for permanent interment at a national or private cemetery, or permanently interred at the overseas American military cemetery in the region where the death occurred.

Can the remains of war dead interred at the overseas American military cemeteries be disinterred and repatriated to the U.S. for reburial?

The interments of World War I and World War II remains at the overseas American military cemeteries are permanent. It is no longer possible to repatriate the remains of those interred at these American military cemeteries. The program of final disposition of these remains was carried out by the American Graves Registration Service, Quartermaster General of the War Department under the provisions of Public Law 389, 66th Congress and Public Law 368, 80th Congress. It entitled the next of kin authorized to make disposition of the remains to select one of the following alternatives:
  • Permanent interment in an American military cemetery on foreign soil specifically designed, constructed, and maintained in perpetuity as a memorial to American war dead.
  • Repatriation of the remains to U.S. soil for interment in a national cemetery.
  • Repatriation of the remains to the individual’s homeland or that of their next of kin for interment in a private cemetery.
A provision of the law terminated authority to make further disposition of remains on December 31, 1951, when the decision of the next of kin became final. The program of final disposition of war dead established the moral and legal obligation of the United States government to honor the expressed wishes of the next of kin authorized to make the decision regarding the permanent interment of their loved one’s remains.

How are war dead whose remains were non-recoverable or unidentifiable commemorated at overseas American military cemeteries?

War dead listed as missing in action, lost or buried at sea, or non-recoverable or unidentifiable are commemorated individually on Tablets of the Missing at the overseas American military cemetery closest to the region where death occurred, and on three memorials in the U.S.

What information about the decedent is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing?

The individual branches of the U.S. armed forces provided us with rosters of missing in action and lost or buried at sea. The data inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing includes the decedent’s full name, rank, branch of service or unit, date of death, and state from which the decedent entered military service.

Why is the inscribed date of death of the missing in action frequently different than the date on which the decedent was declared missing?

Without confirmed information to the contrary, a War Department Review Board established the official date of death of those missing as one year and a day from the date on which the individual was placed in missing status.

How can I determine if someone is interred or memorialized on Tablets of the Missing at an overseas American military cemetery?

Grave and memorialization information for those interred or memorialized at the overseas military cemeteries can be found in the World War I and II databases available on this web site. These Honor Roll databases can be searched by name, unit or state of entry into military service.

If the information in the database or inscribed on a grave or memorialization site is incorrect, how can I submit the correct information?

Send the information you believe to be correct, along with copies of verifying documentation, to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201. We can also be reached by email at info@abmc.gov .

Will the government provide a grave marker for those listed as missing in action or lost or buried at sea for placement at the family cemetery?

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the memorial marker program for those listed as missing in action, or lost or buried at sea. Upon request by a family member, and at no expense to the family, a memorial marker can be placed at any national cemetery, including Arlington National Cemetery, provided space is available. Memorial markers can also be placed at private cemeteries. However, when markers are placed in a private cemetery, the family must pay site and installation costs. Information about the memorial marker program is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Attn: Memorial Programs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420 or at www.va.gov.

Why can’t I locate certain names of war dead in your database?

Our databases contain only the names of those interred or memorialized at the overseas American military cemeteries and memorials under our care. These databases do not contain the names of war dead returned to the U.S. for permanent interment at national or private cemeteries.

How can I find interment information for a decedent whose remains were returned to the U.S. for permanent interment in a national cemetery administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration at http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/serlet/NGL_v1. Additional information may be available from the following organizations:
  • For casualties of World War I, information may be available from the National Archives at inquire@nara.gov or by mail at the National Archives, Modern Military Records Branch, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
  • For casualties of World War II, information may be available from the Department of the Army, U.S. Human Resources Command, Attn: Public Affairs, 200 Stovall Ave., Alexandria, VA 22332, which administers the individual deceased personnel files for all U.S. World War II dead regardless of the branch of service in which the decedent was serving at the time of death. The U.S. Army Human Resources Command can be reached by email at foia.hrc@conus.army.mil.
Where can I find information regarding domestic cemeteries?

Lists of cemetery interments by country, state and region—including military cemeteries—are available online at http://interment.net.

Where can I find information regarding a veteran who did not die during the war in which he or she served?

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration holds the records of all discharged military personnel. Veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans can order copies of records online at www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/veterans_service_records.html. Inquiries from other than veterans and family members must be submitted in writing to the National Archives and Records Administration, National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.

How can I locate a veteran?

We do not maintain records relating to discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces. You might find the information you are seeking by placing an advertisement in veterans magazines that have special reunion columns, or by using “People Finders” search engines through the internet.

Where can I find listings of the casualties of a particular war?

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration maintains online listings of casualties from various conflicts, sorted alphabetically by state and location. NARA also has listings related to prisoners of war. You can access the information online at http:///www.archives.gov/search/index.html.

Where can I find casualty statistics for all U.S. wars?

The Department of Defense Statistical Information Analysis Division, online at http://www.dior.whs.mil/mmid/casualty/castop.htm.

How can I find information about awards and decorations?

For personnel who served in the U.S. Army or Air Force (including the Army Air Forces), the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO can verify awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of medals.

Mail your request to the National Personnel Records Center, Medals Section (NRPMA-M), 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Additional information is available at The National Archives web site.

How do I find out what my relative did while in military service?

You should start by identifying the unit with which your relative served. If you already have that information, then you should check for unit histories or look into the official records created by the unit. If you do not know the unit, try to obtain a copy of your relative’s military personnel records to determine that information.

Where can I find information about a particular military unit?

An extensive unit history library is maintained by the U.S. Military Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA 17013. Some unit histories can be obtained through the inter-library loan system. However, many of the unit histories are not available for inter-library loan due to their rarity or condition. You may also wish to investigate out-of-print or used military book dealers. The Institute’s web site is http://www.carlisle.army.mil.

The Department of the Army, Center of Military History also has information regarding Army units. The Center of Military History website is www.army.mil/cmh. Although the web site contains much information, it is not interactive, so inquiries from the public must be made in writing. The address is Department of the Army, Center of Military History, DAMH-HSO, 103 Third Ave., Ft. McNair, Washington, DC 20319-5058.

Where can I find official Army unit morning reports and other records?

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132, is the official custodian of the records that have been retired by the U.S. Army. General information about records can be found on that agency’s web site at http://archives.gov. Records are at two different physical locations depending on the time period in question.
  • Prior to 1939: Military Reference Branch, National Archives, 8 th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20408.
  • From 1939 onward, including units that served in Southeast Asia: National Archives, Textual Reference Branch, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740.
Where can I find information about the recipients of the Medal of Honor?

Visit the Center of Military History web site at: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/Moh1.htm.

Where can I find historical information about the armed services?

Each branch of the armed forces has a historical center at the following addresses: Where can I find information on unit patches and insignia?

For information on all heraldic items, flags, patches, insignia, etc., contact the Institute of Hearaldry, 9325 Gunston Road, Room S-112, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. the Institute’s web site is at http://www.perscom.army.mil/tagd/tioh/tioh.htm.

Where can I obtain court martial records?

Contact the Office of the Clerk of the Court, U.S. Army Judiciary, Attn: JALS-CCO, 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22202-1837.

Are there any permanent overseas American military cemeteries from the Korean or Vietnam Wars?

No, all recoverable remains from the Korean and Vietnam Wars were returned to the U.S. for interment at national or private cemeteries.

How can I locate the burial site of Korean War dead whose remains were returned to the U.S. for interment?

The Department of the Army, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Public Affairs, 200 Stovall St., Alexandria, VA 22332; email at foia.hrc@conus.army.mil; telephone 703-325-4053 can provide the interment sites of Korean War dead.

Are the war dead of the Korean and Vietnam Wars that are listed as missing in action, lost or buried at sea. or unidentified memorialized at an ABMC site?

Yes, the names and other personal data of the Korean and Vietnam War missing in action or lost or buried at sea are commemorated individually by name on Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial co-located with the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (the Punchbowl) in Hawaii.

Can names of discharged Korean War veterans be included in the Korean War Honor Roll database at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC?

The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors all members of the U.S. military that served during the period of the Korean War, but the Honor Roll database contains only the names of those who died world-wide during the war.

How can I provide an additional name or other information and a photograph for inclusion in the Korean War Veterans Memorial Honor Roll?

Send information and photographs to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201, or to info@abmc.gov.

What government agency is responsible for accounting for U.S. POWs and MIAs?

The best resource for researching American POWs and MIAs is the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. You can search a variety of databases related to these issues on their web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo, or you can call (703) 699-1155 or (703) 699-1199.

My family member was a prisoner of war or among those of World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War that are listed as missing in action. Is the Department of Defense attempting to reach family members?

Yes, the Department of Defense is requesting that family members contact the casualty office for the branch of service in which the decedent was serving at the time of being placed in POW or MIA status. The service casualty offices are compiling family member databases for use if remains of missing are located. The military casualty offices can be reached at:
  • U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Attn: LTC Jay R. Schuneman, AG, Chief, Repatriation and Family Affairs, 200 Stovall St., Room 4S15, Alexandria, VA 22332-0482; email: Jay.Schuneman@hoffman.army.mil; telephone: 703-325-5305.
  • U.S. Air Force Casualty Matters Division, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 14, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4716; email at pow-mia@randolph.af.mil; telephone: toll free at 800-531-5501.
  • U.S. Marine Corps Casualty Office, 3280 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134; email: hattie.y.Johnson@usmc.mil; telephone: toll free 800-847-1597.
  • U.S. Navy Casualty Office, 5720 Integrity Drive, Millington, TN 38055-6210; email: Kenneth.terry@navy.mil; telephone: toll free 800-443-9298.
Is ABMC involved with private memorials?

We control the design and construction of U.S. military monuments and markers in foreign countries by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, and encourage the maintenance of such monuments and markers by their sponsors.

What are private memorials?

For most ABMC purposes, a private memorial is a permanent war monument or marker commemorating the sacrifices of the American armed forces erected by any American person or entity. For purposes of the Memorial Trust Fund Program it does not include any memorial or marker erected by any agency of the United States Government. A private monument generally has some architectural significance (structure, sculpture, window, etc), while a marker is generally a plaque attached to a building or other monument, or a simple object that marks a road, route, boundary, or site.

What are isolated graves?

After each World War, the next of kin of Americans who were killed overseas were given the choice of what to do with the remains of their loved ones. The remains could be repatriated for burial in a cemetery in the U.S., they could be buried in a permanent ABMC cemetery overseas, or they could remain where they lay. While about 61 percent of the remains were returned to the U.S. and 39 percent were buried in ABMC cemeteries, several hundred families chose not to disturb the remains. These isolated graves can be found in town cemeteries, the war cemeteries of our allies, or even in the fields where they fell throughout Europe.

Why are many private memorials so run down?

ABMC receives no funds to maintain private memorials; we can only encourage sponsoring organizations or local towns to maintain them. In many cases private memorials are beautifully maintained. However, if there is no sponsoring organization or if the local town does not take an interest, these monuments can fall into disrepair.

What can ABMC do to help maintain private memorials?

We have several programs to help maintain private memorials:
  • The Private Memorials Trust Fund Program allows a sponsoring organization to set up a trust fund with us and we then maintain the memorial for as long as there are funds available in the trust.
  • We can hire a caretaker for a sponsoring organization, using the sponsor’s funds, and supervise the caretaker’s work.
  • We can provide technical advice regarding the maintenance of the memorial.
  • We maintain a database of private memorials that includes locations, sponsors, local contacts, and maintenance status.
And, as a last resort, we have the authority to destroy private memorials that fall into such disrepair that they become a safety issue or an eyesore.


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