If you are mortally wounded

[floydragsdale]

While going overseas on the Acquitainia, probably about midway in the voyage, a statement was given to all troops on board.

In short it read, "If you die outside the Continental limits of the U.S.A., where do you want to be permanently buried?

In other words, do you want your remains to be shipped home, or left where you die?

If my memory serves me correctly if a G.I. didn't make a choice, the Army would make it for him.

The remains of some Soldiers were shipped home however, the vast majority of them were permanently buried overseas.

Can anyone add, or comment on this situation?

Floyd,
424th Regiment

[Carl W.]

Hi Floyd,

The GI's who died during WWII were first interred at temporary military cemeteries. In Belgium there was one at Foy, near Bastogne. After the end of the war (late 1940ies), the remains of the men buried there were prepared for movement to a permanent location. The Department of the Army corresponded with the next-of-kin of every soldier buried there and offered them the choice of having their loved one repatriated or permanently buried overseas.

I have copies of a few files of 106th GI's buried at one of the military cemeteries here in Belgium and these files include the correspondance between the army and the family.

Greetings
Carl

[floydragsdale]

Hello Carl:

Thanks for your message.

I've always wondered if the Soldiers wishes were respected, or not.

Based on what your information indicates, I'm still not certain.

Foyd

[connie]

The correspondence with family sounds consistent with what I have heard. Perhaps the soldier's wishes were included in this conversation(?) For me this brings up another question that was in the back of my mind. The number lost was huge. I remember hearing something of one family's agonizing over this decision. If my memory of the conversation is correct, it seems that there was a financial side to the question. Does anyone know? Were families asked to bear the cost of bringing a soldier's remains home if they chose that option?

Connie