Graves Registration - FM 10-63 War Department Field Manual

(c) When command moves from one area to another. When a division or other similar command moves from one area to another before graves registration work in the area is completed, the commanding general of such command will be responsible for the assignment of adequate Graves Registration Service personnel to complete the burials pertaining to his command and to compile the required records. Should tactical requirements or other considerations make it impossible or inexpedient for a commanding general to detach sufficient personnel for the above purpose, he will make immediate report of the circumstances to the next higher commander. Only in a most serious emergency will such commander be justified in withdrawing from an area without leaving adequate Graves Registration Service personnel to complete the burials pertaining to his command, unless specifically so authorized by higher authority in each case. c. Organization and functions under T/O & E 10-298. The organization and functions of the quartermaster graves registration company when it operates in accordance with T/O & E 10-298 is as follows: ( 1 ) Basic functions. The functions of the graves registration company are the physical collection, evacuation, identification, and burial of battlefield dead; the collection and disposition of personal effects and, subject to the approval of a higher headquarters, the' selection of sites for cemeteries. The term "Killed in Action" and its abbreviation KIA, used on WD MD Form 52b (see fig. 1) applies not only to those meeting sudden death, but to all casualties who as a result of wounds die on the field before reaching an aid station. The company is not authorized nor equipped to perform embalming. Grave digging is done by laborers organic to the graves registration company. Additional labor required will be provided by the attachments of units from the T/O & E 10-500, Quartermaster Service Organization, or from such other labor units as are available. (2) Subdivision of Company (a) Platoon. The platoon is the basic work unit. It is designed to serve a division and will be under the direct control of the division quartermaster for specific functions and assignments. It is commanded by a commissioned officer. The officer, in addition to directing and supervising the activities of the platoon, will maintain constant contact with division in order to obtain advance information concerning the movement and relocation of collecting points, the clearing of burial records, and approval of the location of cemeteries which he has previously selected. He will also be responsible for burial and all matters pertaining thereto. The noncommissioned officer, in addition to his duties as platoon leader, is responsible for the final inspection of identification and burial records and for forwarding them through the division to the graves registration company headquarters (located at corps headquarters); furnish the draftsman with identification data, such as name, rank and serial number, if available, necessary to complete his burial location records and maps; and furnishes section leaders with information concerning the location of collecting and clearing stations. The medical noncommissioned officer will make the final and more technical phase of identification, devoting particular attention to cases on which complete information is lacking and in cooperation with the platoon noncommissioned officer will be responsible for the final check of records before they are forwarded. Other personnel provided include clerks, draftsmen and truck drivers. (b) Section.

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