Burials at Sea

Bluehawk · 07-26-2005, 05:26

Bill, or somebody...

Is there any record of how many combined USCG, USN and Merchant Marine burials at sea there have been?

If so, what is that number?

I find myself wanting to add that figure when discussions begin to talk of military burials on land.

ollie · 07-26-2005, 11:58

I'll look into it, but I think it will be hard to do. Think of all the ships that went down with all hands without a trace; USS Tampa comes to mind. Torpedoed in WW1, lost with all hands. Are they considered buried at sea?

ollie

Woodmonkey · 07-26-2005, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollie

I'll look into it, but I think it will be hard to do. Think of all the ships that went down with all hands without a trace USS Tampa comes to mind. Torpedoed in WW1 lost with all hands. Are they considered buried at sea?

ollie

I wonder. Are they?

Do they even do that these days?

Edited to clarify my question. Was referring to buriel ceremonies conducted on purpose

Bluehawk · 07-26-2005, 14:56

Thanks...

It's a question that plagues my mind... when we speak of our Fallen, how many are uncounted who went down to the sea in ships.

I wonder...

If I may say, I would very much like to honor them all as we do those whose markers are on land.

ollie · 07-26-2005, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodmonkey

I wonder. Are they?

Do they even do that these days?

Edited to clarify my question. Was referring to buriel ceremonies conducted on purpose

The Navy does have a program to bury a veteran of ANY of the Uniformed Services at sea. The MSTS also qualifies. The burial whether it be cremains or casket takes place at the ship's convenience. Relatives are not allowed to accompany the cremains/Remains. The family receives a certificate that among other things gives the latitude and longitude of the burial site.

When I was in the Coast Guard,we buried the cremains of a former Coastie hundreds of miles out at sea. I was on watch on the flying bridge at the time so did not participate,but the Captain read a couple of passages from the bible and the crew sang "Eternal Father" (Navy/Coast Guard hymn) after which the ashes were dispersed.

We tried to do it up right.

Ollie

Bluehawk · 07-26-2005, 15:57

I have no truck with the sea, but it breaks my heart not to know where our sailors and coasties are.

Woodmonkey · 07-26-2005, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollie

The Navy does have a program to bury a veteran of ANY of the Uniformed Services at sea. The MSTS also qualifies. The burial whether it be cremains or casket takes place at the ship's convenience. Relatives are not allowed to accompany the cremains/Remains. The family receives a certificate that among other things gives the latitude and longitude of the burial site.

When I was in the Coast Guard,we buried the cremains of a former Coastie hundreds of miles out at sea. I was on watch on the flying bridge at the time so did not participate,but the Captain read a couple of passages from the bible and the crew sang "Eternal Father" (Navy/Coast Guard hymn) after which the ashes were dispersed.

We tried to do it up right.

Ollie

I'm sure it was done right and can understand how a vet would like to be buried in the sea he loved.