From AGRS to JMAC 15Nov12 NJPetersen

7/28/2019 From AGRS to JMAC 15Nov12 NJPetersen

1/96

WITHTHE THANKSOFA GRATEFUL NATION:

The Repatriation of Fallen US Servicemen(From AGRS to JMAC)

Dr. Naomi Jeffery Petersen, Central Washington University

LtC Jim Murrie, USAF (RET)

15 November 2012

AFROTC Detachment 895

UNITED STATES AIRFORCE RESERVE OFFICERTRAINING CORPS


2/96

When did WWI I end?

NOT when the demobilizing troops returned

but years later

when 170,000+ casualties

were returned.


3/96

THE WWII SERGEANT COMES HOME


4/96

PUBLIC LAW 383 May 16, 1946For repatriation of deaths occurring 03 Sep 3930 Jun 46

Unique to America.No other ally repatriated servicemens remains.

56% of known WWII casualties repatriated.

279, 867final dispositions.

78,976 were never found.

171, 539 returned to US.

Passengers, not a cargo.

Army paid fare for each returnee and escorts.

$200,000,000 (~ 1$Billion 2011)

Average cost: $564.50 for each remains.

ARMY QUARTERMASTER GENERALSix-year project


5/96

Tell me about my boy!

Brochure sent to all next of kin.

Four options for final resting place.

1. Return to US for burial in private cemetery

2. Return to US for burial in national cemetery.

3. Burial overseas in private cemetery.

4. Burial overseas in national cemetery. Choice had to be final by December 31, 1951.


6/96

I ndividual Deceased Personnel F i le Lists all details of disinterment, transportation, and burial details.

Contains all correspondence with next of kin, including telegrams ,

Form 1193 (Receipt for Remains)

Form 1194 (Disinterment Directive)

IDPF


7/96

44% REMAININ OVERSEAS CEMETERIES

Ernie Pyle in Hawaii.

93,242 remained buried overseas at familyrequest

8,000 recovered but unidentified; reburied in

national cemeteries overseas.

George Patton

in Luxembourg.


8/96

PLANNING

Planning began June, 1943.QMG directed to study and draw up a body of recommendations in

reference to the problems of disposal of the war dead.

Became Policy Study #34, August 1943.

Final plan approved by War Dept. 08 Sep 45Implement the plan or parts thereof as conditions and circumstances

warrant.


9/96

ARMY GRAVES REGISTRATION SERVICEAGRS

Existing Responsibilities1. Location

2. Identification & Documentation

3. Burial overseas

New Responsibilities (Public Law 383)1. Notification to families

2. Reburial according to familys wishes

3. Dignified return


10/96

LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES

Shortage of caskets.Steel Crisis caused one year delay.

AGRS mobilization conflicted with overall demobilization.

Shortage of qualified personnel.

Lack of maintenance, transportation, supply support during

demobilization.

Overlapping zones of responsibility.454 temporary cemeteries in 86 Countries

AGRS zones vs. Theater Command.

Multiple organizational structures involved.


11/96

Local conditions, e.g. China Civil War

Required early evacuation from Shanghai in March, 1947 before

full readiness.

Remains were not repatriated but simply relocated to Hawaii

until adequately prepared for return.

Waiting for next-of-kin decisions.

Not sure how many were returning to US.

Manpower difficulties.Hiring and paying local laborers.


12/96

DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES

Some countries very cooperative.Belgium even staged parades of honor.

Iberian villages held religious ceremonies.

Some less cooperative.Cold War: Russia, Balkans

Cultural fears of reprisal: Japan

Dangerous natives: New Guinea

Some restrictions and delays.

Denmark demanded proof of next-of-kin wishes.

Australia demanded proof of US identities.

Revolution: French Indo-China; Dutch East Indies


13/96

TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES

Worldwide area.

Move from gravesite to

Concentration Ports.

Local infrastructure lacking ordamaged.

Condition of equipment.

Lack of ships, vehicles, andaircraft.

Lack of support (mechanics,

parts).


14/96

SPECIALIZED AGRS TEAMS

Propaganda.

Investigation.

Search. Exhumation/Disinterment.

Identification teams

Central Identification Labs.

13, 311US personnel

involved overseas.


15/96

PROPAGANDA TEAMS

Public relations.

Search records.

Meet with local officials.

Posting and broadcasting

notification of repatriation

effort..

3-man teams.

OIC.

Interpreter.

Driver.


16/96

INVESTIGATION TEAMS

Asking residents about

dog tags in Burma.

Consulting a French mayor.

3-man teams. Started with known burials.

Followed up leads.

Rumors.

Other records, e.g. fire incidents.

Lolo tribe in China.


17/96

SEARCH TEAMS

Challenging

physical terrain.

Danger to teams

(local violence). UXO Danger

(unexploded

ordinance).

Some remains were declared unrecoverable.


18/96

SEARCH TEAMS

5-man teams.Investigator or

Med Tech

Clerk/Driver.

Local Laborers.

Exhumation of isolated burials.

Disinterrment from cemeteries.


19/96

CONCENTRATION POINTS

Temporary holding point

between original gravesites and final route pending identification.

Remains

identified? routedaccording to

familys wishes.

Permanentoverseas cemetery

Repatriation portsfor delivery to US.

Unresolved cases routedto Central Identification

Laboratories.

IdentifiedStill unidentified

interred overseas.


20/96

CENTRAL IDENTIFICATION LABS

Cases unresolved bySearch Teams.10,011 . (3.5%)

still unidentified

31 Dec 51

Central labs.

Strasbourg, France.

Manila, PI

Honolulu, T.H.

Also Mobile units


21/96

CENTRAL LAB SPECIALISTS

Physical Anthropologist. Professional mortician.

Dental technician.

Elaborate lab equipment and

operators.

Chemist

X-ray tech


22/96

PERMANENT OVERSEAS CEMETERIES

American BattleMonuments Commission.

Administer overseas

monuments and cemeteries.

15 WWII cemeteries


23/96

U.S. PORTSAND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

Arrival Ports

Oakland, CA

Brooklyn, NY

Distribution Centers

Schenectedy, NY

Philadelphia, PA

Charlotte, NC

Atlanta, GA

Memphis, TN

Columbus, OH

Chicago, IL

San Antonio, TXFort Worth, TX

Kansas City, MO

Ogden, UT

Auburn, WA

Mira Loma, CA

5,434 Zone of the Interior personnel


24/96

*Typical of 1940s Intermodal / L.C.L. (Less than Car Load)

1. Ships arrived at Port of Embarkation (POE)Pacific: San Francisco (Oakland); Atlantic: New York (Brooklyn)

Quickly inspected and sorted for destination.

Ship arrivals determined Train Schedules.

2. Trains travel to 15 Refurbished Distribution Centers.Dignified storage and visitation facilities in America.

Above ground temporary storage overseas.

3. From Distribution Centers for final delivery home

Via train and/or hearse and/or service car.

Operational Flow*


25/96

US ARMY TRANSPORT VESSELS (USAT)

9 ships (5 Atlantic; 4 Pacific), and 2 more later.

Libertyand Victory class

Carried up to 8,000 remains.

Modifications

Install racks for casket containers in holds. Re-ballast ships for reduced weight.

Freshly painted for respect.


26/96

ARMY EQUIPMENT CONVERSIONS

Converted first tohospital ward carsduring war.

Litter doors added.

Then converted tomortuary cars.

Racks and overhead chain

hoist installed.Windows plated for privacyand security.


27/96

ARMY CAR CONVERSIONS

1941-1943 purchased approximately 120 SURPLUS HEAVYWEIGHTS Primarily parlor, lounge, observation cars.

At least 22 different plans/subplans.

1942-1943converted to hospitalcars for the wounded by both Pullman and ACF.

Litter doors added; Interior redesigned.

Air conditioning not required by Army; removed.

1947 converted 118 to mortuarycars for the fallen by ACF, Wilmington, DE.

Windows covered. Special door locks.

I-Beams, hoists and racks added inside.


28/96

MORTUARY CARS: SOBERAND DISTINCTIVE


29/96

FROM MILITARYTO CIVILIAN TRAINS

Shipped on common carrier passenger trains.

-- From Distribution Center (DC) to final destination.

-- Handled in baggage cars per normal RR/REA procedures.

-- Dignified return all the way to final destination.

-- Flag draped casket.

Military escorts assigned at each distribution center.

--Coordinate with conductor to assure careful transfer.

Dont lose the casket

--Escort assigned berth in sleeper or coach seat.

--No drinking during assignment.

-- All combat veterans


30/96

ESCORTINGTHE FALLEN HOME

Military escorts accompanied caskets.Involved, following strict protocol.

Carefully selected military personnel with proper tact and bearing.

Must have served in a combat unit.

Trained in procedures and for decorum.Watched motion picture Your Proudest Duty.

Assigned by rank, race, religion, and service.

Direct and personal contact with grieving relativesResponsible for presenting flag to family.


31/96

This was considered the most valued aspect of the program. Military had feared resentment.

Thousands of letters of appreciation.

Many escorts were offered gifts. Protocol required refusal.

Policy changed in response to wishes of Native American families,


32/96

map1. Ships arrive atPORTOF ENTRY

(POE)

RETURNINGVIATHEPACIFIC

2. Sorted for

DISTRIBUTIONCENTERS(DC)

4. Delivered

home viaambulance

and/or train

3. Escorted via train to DC


33/96

2LT GEORGE A. WHITEMAN ITINERARY

Lv Honolulu via USAT Honda Knot. 30 Sep 47Arr Oakland (SFPOE) 10 October 1947.

Lv Oakland (DC #13) 27 October 1947.

Arr Kansas City(DC #9) via mortuary car.Lv Kansas City via MP#12 (Colorado Eagle)

7:01 AM 31 October 1947

Arr Sedalia MO 8:35 AM same day .

Shot down by a Japanese plane at Pearl Harbor.

First air corps casualty of World War II.

Whiteman Air Force Base at Knob Noster near Sedalia.

http://web.sedalia.k12.mo.us/schs/wwII/whitemanR.htm


34/96

PVT MATTHEW D. MUSOLINO ITINERARY

Lv MANILA PI. via USAT Gen. Nelson M. Walker 20 Oct 1949

Lv OAKLAND ARMY TERMINAL(San Francisco POE) 31 Oct 1949.

Arr Brooklyn NY (DISTRIBUTION CENTER #1) 08 Nov 1949.

Lv New York via NYNH&H #68. 10:30 AM 18 Nov 1949

Arr Hartford CT 1:07PM same day.

Information from Personnel File (IDPF)


35/96

FIRST SHIP HOME:

USAT HONDA KNOT

October 10, 1947

Freighter from Honolulu to OAKLAND ARMYTERMINALCarried 3512 coffins and 16 urns. Met by 5000 people.


36/96

Flyover of Air Force P-80s from Hamilton Field.


37/96

SAN FRANCISCO HONORS PACIFIC DEAD

Six lay in state in San F rancisco City Hall . One from each service plus one for civil ians.


38/96

OAKLAND OPERATIONS

11 major shipments of Pacific dead; 57,705.- trains loaded directly outdoors at pierside sidings.

Oct 13, 1947 first MORTUARYCARS- attached to regular passenger trains forAuburn WA, Memphis TN,San Antonio TX, Ogden UT, Columbus OH.

Oct 15, 1947 completeMORTUARYTRAINSdepart-15 cars to Kansas City (9) + New York (6) arriving NYC 19 Oct.

-15 cars to Chicago and Philadelphia


39/96

DOCK 3 OAKLAND ARMY TERMINAL

Train picFirst two caskets being lowered by

HONORGUARD;

Four longshoremen wait behind them

to take over operations.


40/96

DEBARKATION

Flag-draped shipping cases holding caskets are lowered

from the USAT Honda Knot at Oakland Army Base.


41/96

Train pic


42/96

HONOR GUARDescort.

Each fallen serviceman

was considered an

individual passenger.


43/96

Forklift prepares to lift casket from dolly onto MORTUARY CAR. Each caskets

information is double checked whileHONORGUARDis at Parade Rest.


44/96

Train pic

USA 8919 is going to Charlotte NC(DISTRIBUTION CENTER 4).


45/96

HONORED PASSENGERS

Clean coveralls

and gloves with

dress shirts and

ties.

Freshly paintedequipment.


46/96

Gentle handling.

Name at head.


47/96

Switcher with train

Oakland Army Base

Switcher pulls loaded Mortuary Cars

from port to rail classification yardsprior to inland movement .


48/96

LAST FUNERAL TRAIN15 Oct 1947(15 car) pulling out of Oakland Railyard for Chicago and Philadelphia.

WP 486 4-8-4, Lima 1943 .


49/96

BELGIUM HONORS

EUROPEAN DEAD

Antwerp, Belgium

October 4, 1947

Ceremonies before USAT

Joseph V. Connolly sailed.

Symbolic casket

representing American

war dead.


50/96

USAT JOSEPH V. CONNOLLY

Depart Antwerp October 4, 1947.

Arrive New York harbor October 26.

Carrying the remains of 6,248servicemen.


51/96

USAT JOSEPH V. CONNOLLY

Arrived New York Harbor October 26.Decked in laurel leaves.

Carrying 6,251 remains.


52/96


53/96

NEW YORK CEREMONIES, OCTOBER 26, 1947

USAT Joseph V. Connolly met by Aircraft flyover and Naval

escort (USS Missouri, 2 destroyers, Coast Guard cutter). Docked at Pier 61, Manhattan.

Pallbearers from each service carried casket of one

unnamed Medal of Honor recipient from Battle of the

Bulge. Procession of 6,000 troops accompanied body past

crowd of 400,000 to Memorial Service in Central Park

attended by 150,000.

Casket returned to ship; ship moved to Brooklyn ArmyBase to begin transport by rail to hometowns.


54/96

Honor Guard on duty

facing wreath over flag-

draped caskets in hold.(Flags used when in

public).

Pier 3.

1948.


55/96

Flag-draped coffins laying in state prior to unloading, Pier 3. 1948.


56/96

FROM SHIPTO SHOREAT BROOKLYN ARMY TERMINAL.

Special tarps to

protect coffins from

weather

Then Transfer to

Building B and

sorted by final

destination.


57/96

FROM SHIPTO SHORE

U.S.A.T. Joseph V. Connolly docked at Brooklyn Army Terminal.

Coff ins carr ied first to pier sheds.


58/96

Flag-draped coffins.

Nonstop military escort and guard.

Constant checking for proper identification of deceased.


59/96

Train pic

Cases containing the caskets

of American Servicemen

move through flag-draped

Pier 3 shed enroute to

special mortuary cars.


60/96

BUILDING B

8 stories (101) high

Moveable bridges.

Overhead crane.

980 x 300.

66 wide platforms. 2 indoor tracks.

50 car capacity.


61/96

Standing

above rail

spur,

soldierswatch as

caskets are

loaded

onto

waiting

mortuarycars inside

Building B,

Brooklyn

Army

Terminal.


62/96

DIGNIFIED TRANSFER

Nonstop mil i tary escort and guard.

Constant checking for proper identi f ication of deceased.


63/96

BROOKLYN OPERATIONS

113,834 remains received at port.

Unloaded into warehouse

Loaded onto trains inside building.

Trains routed either

via barge to PRR in NJ or

via NYNH&H RR (Long Island RR Bayridge branch)

First train out PRR to Chicago (465 remains)


64/96

BROOKLYN ARMY TERMINAL TRANSFER OPS

1. Freighterdocks.

2. Building B

sort caskets;

load cars.

3. Carsunder guard

at East Yard. 4. Cars switched

to Bush Terminal.

5. Carsloaded on

barges

TRANSFER OPS


65/96

TRANSFER OPS

Cars loaded for final destinations.

Cars transferred from Building B by Army switcher #7896


66/96

TRANSFER OPS: BUSH TERMINAL

Bush switcher #88

pulls cars from Army yard to Bush Terminal.


67/96

TRANSFER OPS

Placed under guard at Army East Railyard.


68/96

ANOTHER WATER TRANSFER

Cars loadedon barges

(car f loats)toPennsylvaniaRailroadyards inGreenville,NJ.


69/96

TRANSFER EQUIPMENT

Switchers USA #7896 and Bush #88

Westinghouse 80 ton diesel switchers

W T


70/96

WATER TRANSFER Cars loaded on barges (car floats)

A Mortuary Car History

Parlor carAzalea Hospital Ward Car 17

Army # 8917

Ward-Dressing car

#89000


71/96

WATER TRANSFER

Tug maneuvers

car floats to

PRR yards,

Greenville,NJ.


72/96

Honor Guard carriescasket of one of thefirst Pacific war dead tobe returned to the EastCoast from mortuary

car.Brooklyn

19 Oct 1947.


73/96

Ceremonial photo of Honor Guard carrying one of 296 caskets brought by six-car train

from Oakland Army Terminal to Distribution Center #1 (Brooklyn) 19 Oct 47.


74/96

Service Car with Casket at Brooklyn Army Base. 1947.

Officer explaining Honor Guard duties.


75/96

MP's at main gate salute as service car leaves Distribution Center No.1Brooklyn Army Base, New York Port of Entry.

RETURNINGVIATHE ATLANTIC


76/96

1. Ships arriveat NYPOE

2. Sorted for distribution centers (DC)

4. Delivered

home via

ambulance

and/or train

3. Escorted via train to DC

PVT FRED E SMITHS ITINERARY (IDPF)


77/96

PVT FRED E. SMITH S ITINERARY(IDPF)

Lv Antwerp BE via USAT Joseph V. Connolly 04 Oct 1947

Arr New York POE 26 Oct 1947

Lv New York via mortuary car 31 Oct 1949

Arr Auburn WA (Distribution Center #14) 08 Nov 1947

Lv E. Auburn WA via NP #2 (North Coast Ltd) 10:45PM 19 Nov 1947

Arr Spokane WA 8:25AM 20 Nov 1947

Lv Spokane WA via GN #5 (Cascadian) 8:30AM 20 Nov 1947

Arr Odessa WA 10:14AM 20 Nov 1947

met by an honor guard of veterans.http://wagenweb.org/incoln/obitsodessacitycemsetosm.htm

SGT THOMAS F SEALS ITINERARY
http://wagenweb.org/incoln/obitsodessacitycemsetosm.htmhttp://wagenweb.org/incoln/obitsodessacitycemsetosm.htm


78/96

SGT THOMAS F. SEAL S ITINERARY

(IDPF).

Lv Cardiff, Wales via USAT Lawrence Victory 18 June 1948Arr Brooklyn (NYPOE) 28 June 1948

Lv NY (DC #1) 01 July 1948.

Arr Atlanta (DC #5) 02 July 1948.

Lv Atlanta via Southern #15 (mixed train) 22 July 1948.

Arr Columbiana AL 1:55 PM same day

S/S B D M I


79/96

S/SGT BERNARD D. MEEKERS ITINERARY

Lv Antwerp BE via USAT Joseph V. Connolly 04 Oct 1947Arr New York POE 26 Oct 1947

Lv Bush Terminal RR USA MAIN via car float to NJ

Lv Greenville NJ via PRR

Arr Chicago (DISTRIBUTION CENTER #8).

Lv Chicago via CMSt&P #5 10:30AM 02 Dec 1947.

Arr Britton SD 10:50 AM 03 Dec 1947.


80/96

G S M


81/96

GOLD STAR MOTHERS

THE BERGSTROM BROTHERS TREMENTON UT


82/96

THE BERGSTROM BROTHERS, TREMENTON, UT

Only 4 Gold Star Family

4 Brothers, all died

within 6 months.

3 Services 4 Theaters

5th brother released

from USMC


83/96

FIRST KOREAN WAR DEAD

Departing Japan 1951


84/96

POLICYCHANGES

Current policy of "continuous return" of dead is aresult of Chinese/North Koreans threatening to

overrun the temporary UN cemeteries in 1950.

Recommendations of the WWII Graves

Registration units implemented:

name tags on uniforms, standardized medical and dental charts for all services.

THEN


85/96

THEN

AND NOW


86/96

JOINT MORTUARYAFFAIRS CENTER (JMAC)

http://www.quartermaster.army.mil/mac/jmac_centcom_information.html

FT. LEE, VA

MISSION:Provide world class Mortuary Affairs training

for officer, enlisted, and civilian personnel

from all branches of the armed services.


87/96

AIR FORCE SERVICES

The $2 billion worldwide Services programincludes

BRIG. GEN. EDEN J.

MURRIE

Director of Air Force Services

physical fitness,

peacetime and wartime troop feeding,

Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Armed Forces entertainment,

Air Force protocol,

lodging,

libraries,

child development centers,

youth centers

a wide spectrum of recreation activities.

S C


88/96

USAF ROLESIN JMAC

CENTRAL IDENTIFICATIONLABORATORY

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii

Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) conducts global search, recovery

and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans (are more than83,000 ) from past conflicts, including World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

JPAC employs more than 400 joint military and civilian personnel. Its laboratory

is the largest and most diverse forensic skeletal laboratory in the world.

USAF R JMAC


89/96

USAF ROLESIN JMAC

joint mortuary

Air Force Mortuary Affairs OperationsThe Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs

116 Purple Heart Drive

Dover AFB, DE 19902

D A


90/96

DIGNIFIED ARRIVAL

D A


91/96

DIGNIFIED ARRIVAL

USAF HONOR GUARD


92/96

USAF HONOR GUARD

DIGNITY * REVERENCE * RESPECT


93/96

DIGNITY * REVERENCE * RESPECT

FURTHER READING


94/96

FURTHER READING

AND VIEWING

Soldier Dead: How We Recover,

I denti fy, Bury, and Honor Our

M il itary Fallen. Michael Sledge.

Columbia University Press,

2005, ISBN 0-231-13514-9.

A FEW SOURCES OF INFORMATION
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0231135149


95/96

A FEW SOURCESOF INFORMATION

WORLD WAR II FALLEN SERVICEMEN REPATRIATION PROGRAM November 1947.http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/milrr/batbtww2repat.html)

THE FINAL DISTRIBUTIONOF WORLD WAR II DEAD 1945-1951. by Edward Steerand Thayer M. Boardman. www.bentprop.org/grs

US Army Quartermaster Foundation: MORTUARY AFFAIRS.http://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htm Life. Aug 11, 1947. Photo. p32.

Life. Nov 3, 1947. THE WAR DEAD. pp77-79.

Life. Nov 17, 1947. THE SERGEANT COMES HOME. pp 33-39. American Battle Monuments Commission. www.abmc.gov

Tom Maddens Pullman Project www.Pullmanproject.com

SPECIAL THANKS f ff l h d h d d
http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/milrr/batbtww2repat.htmlhttp://www.bentprop.org/grshttp://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.abmc.gov/http://www.abmc.gov/http://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.qmfound.com/mortuary-affairs.htmhttp://www.bentprop.org/grshttp://members.trainweb.com/bedt/milrr/batbtww2repat.html


96/96

SPECIAL THANKSfor official photos and archived documents.

Luther Hanson, QUARTERMASTERMUSEUM, Ft. Lee, VA James Atwater, TRANSPORTATION CORPS MUSEUM, Ft. Eustis, VA

CONTACT US

Jim Murrie

7409 91st Ave. SW

Lakewood, WA [email protected]

Naomi Jeffery Petersen

713 E. 7th Ave.

Ellensburg, WA [email protected]

From AGRS to JMAC 15Nov12 NJPetersen

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