About this Unit
The Graves Registration Service (GRS) was a specialized unit within the United States Army responsible for the recovery, identification, and burial of deceased military personnel. Established during World War I, the GRS played a critical role in ensuring fallen soldiers were respectfully handled and accounted for, often working close to combat zones under hazardous conditions. Their mission continued through World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, evolving with advancements in forensic science and identification techniques. Today, their legacy is carried on by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), dedicated to the recovery and identification of missing American service members worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the U.S. Civil War: The concept of dedicated military graves registration began during the American Civil War, when the need to identify and properly bury fallen soldiers became apparent due to the scale of casualties.
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Formalized in World War I: The U.S. Army officially established the Graves Registration Service (GRS) in 1917 to locate, recover, identify, and bury American war dead overseas.
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Identification Challenges: During World War I and II, Graves Registration personnel often had to identify remains using personal effects, dog tags, and dental records, as modern DNA analysis did not exist.
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Role in the D-Day Landings: On D-Day (June 6, 1944), Graves Registration units landed with the first waves of troops on Normandy’s beaches to recover and bury the dead under fire.
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Temporary Cemeteries: Graves Registration teams established hundreds of temporary cemeteries near battlefields during World War II, later moving remains to permanent cemeteries or repatriating them home.
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The “Grave Diggers” Nickname: Members of Graves Registration units were often called “Grave Diggers” or “the Mortuary Men” by other soldiers, reflecting both respect and the somber nature of their work.
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Notable Incident—The Malmedy Massacre: After the 1944 Malmedy Massacre during the Battle of the Bulge, Graves Registration units were among the first to document and recover the bodies of murdered American POWs.
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Women in Graves Registration: During and after World War II, the Graves Registration Service began employing women, especially as administrative staff and in processing personal effects.
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Evolution to Mortuary Affairs: The U.S. Army’s Graves Registration Service eventually became known as “Mortuary Affairs,” expanding its mission to include search, recovery, and care of the fallen in all modern conflicts.
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Honoring the Fallen: Graves Registration/Mortuary Affairs personnel play a crucial role in ensuring dignity, respect, and closure for the families of the fallen, upholding the military’s commitment to “leave no one behind.”
