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418.4 Burial in National Cemeteries.-(a) All servicemen who die in the service of the United States and those who die after honorable discharge having served in time of war, and have not since been convicted of a felony, are entitled to burial in any national cemetery free of cost. A veteran's wife and certain members of his family may be buried in a national cemetery prior or subsequent to the death of the veteran, provided the veteran gives assurance that regardless of whether or not he remarries he will eventually be buried in the adjacent site reserved for him. If the veteran dies first, his widow may be buried either in the same grave with him or in an adjoining grave, if she makes request in writing at the time of her husband's interment for such reservation. If the widow remarries after the death of her husband, she forfeits her right to burial with him. The burial of minor children and unmarried adult daughters (this includes daughters who have never married, widows, and divorcees) is permitted provided space is available (one additional burial may be made in the grave for the veteran and the one for his wife) under the following conditions:

(1) That the fact of the interment will be entered on the records of the cemetery, but the name will not appear on any monument on the lot;

(2) That the grave will be marked, if so desired, at private expense, only with a footstone sunk flush with the ground, not exceeding 10 by 20 inches at the top, with a suitable identifying inscription and dates of birth and death;

(3) That the written concurrence in the above conditions by legal next of kin be forwarded to The Quartermaster General. (b) Application for interment may be made to the superintendent of the national cemetery in which interment is desired. If available, the last discharge of the veteran should be presented to the superintendent. Otherwise, sufficient information as to the veteran's service should be furnished to the superintendent to enable verification of the service from the official records (by telegraph or personal contact). In such cases, the superintendent will telegraph to The Quartermaster General for authority for burial. All requests for interment in national cemeteries are expedited and are given precedence over other work. Local veterans' organizations usually can furnish information on national cemeteries.

418.5 Return of Bodies to the United States for Burial.-It is possible that the Government will pursue the same policy in World War II that it did in World War I, under which the remains of servicemen who died in foreign lands were buried there temporarily for the duration of the war, after which they were brought to the United States for permanent burial, at the request of the next of kin.

418.6 Remains of Serviceman Left in Foreign Soil.-After World War I the United States secured sites for permanent American cemeteries in France with perpetual care, as memorials to the fallen veterans. The remains were left there if the family of a deceased veteran so preferred or consented.

PART IV

CHAPTER 19

DEATH GRATUITY AND DEATH PENSIONS TO DEPENDENTS

419.1 Death Gratuity.

419.2 Arrears of Pay.

419.3 Death Pension.

419.4 Dependent, Definition of.

419.5 Children Over 18, Compensation for.

419.6 Death Certificate.

419.7 Filing Claim, Assistance in.

419.8 Social Security Benefit.

419.9 Personal Effects.

PART IV

CHAPTER 19

DEATH GRATUITY AND DEATH PENSIONS TO DEPENDENTS

419.1 Death Gratuity.-(a) Upon official notification of the death from wounds or disease not the result of his or her own misconduct of any person in the service of the armed forces, there will be paid to the widow, child, or dependent related, an amount equal to 6 months' pay at the rate received by the deceased at the time of his death, including compensation of every kind except rental and subsistence allowance. Such payment is a gift and there are no vested rights in it. It may not be disposed of by will, and it is not subject to claims against it, civil or military debts or obligations.

(b) The proper form will be sent to the relative by the armed forces in which the deceased served at the time of official notification of death. For additional information write:

ARMY: Office of Special Settlement Accounts, Office of
the Fiscal Director, 27 Pine St., New York 5, N. Y.
NAVY: Bureau of Personnel, Navy Department, Washing-
ton, D. C.

MARINE CORPS: Commandant, U. S. Marine Corps,
Washington 25, D. C.

COAST GUARD: Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, Wash-
ington 25, D. C.

419.2 Arrears in Pay.-Back pay and allowances due a serviceman at the time of his death will be paid, for Army personnel, by the Office of Special Settlement Accounts, 27 Pine St., New York 5. N. Y., upon submission of a claim therefor on Form WD 14, which may be obtained from the Adjutant of any Army post, camp, or station. For Naval personnel, claims should be submitted on Form No. 1055 to the Claims Division of the General Accounting Office, Washington 25, D. C. Form No. 1055 may be obtained from the Naval Disbursing Officer at any naval activity. Questions concerning pay and allowances due for persons separated from the Marine Corps should be addressed to the Paymaster, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, Washington 25, D. C., and for personnel of the Coast Guard, to the Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, Washington 25, D. C. If the amount accrued is in excess of $1,000, payment will be made only to the executor or legally appointed administrator. If less than $1.000 and no executor or administrator has been appointed, it may be paid to the

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