Page:Mortuary Afairs.pdf/3

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Before the Civil War

In today’s Army, care for the fallen comrade is considered a sacred duty; and the Mortuary Affairs community takes great pride in the rapid, dignified return of the human remains to the families, with zero tolerance for mistakes.

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This was not always the case. The story of Mortuary Affairs is one of steady improvements in a difficult field of work.

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Inscription at the American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery in Mexico City.

All unidentified casualties

Before 1862 mortuary procedures were limited. Most posts maintained their own cemetery that served Soldiers who died in garrison.

Soldiers who died in the field typically were buried in place, under primitive conditions. This included casualties from the prolonged Seminole Wars. If the family of an officer provided the coffin, the remains could be shipped back to the family, circumstances permitting. During the Mexican War the United States did create a cemetery in Mexico City, but there were no identification procedures.