Joint Mortuary Affairs Center
(JMAC)

History

The Quartermaster Corps has been responsible for the care of the dead since the Civil War, This mission, which used to be known as “Graves Registration”, has evolved to include not only the search and recovery of remains on the battlefield, but to respond to any mass fatality situation. Army Mortuary Affairs Specialists have deployed around the world to assist in such places as Bosnia, Somalia, Croatia, the Middle East, Oklahoma City, Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Katrina and most recently supported the Earthquake efforts in Haiti to recover American Citizens (AMCITS).

Identification of remains is an important responsibility, a process that has been perfected to the point that even remains that are discovered many years later, can often be identified. Burial of the dead, at one time a Quartermaster Corps responsibility, is conducted with honors befitting a fallen soldier. National cemeteries were first established in 1862 and now number over 100. Military cemeteries located overseas are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission and contain the American dead from World Wars I and II. Today, the Army's Mortuary Affairs Specialists are trained at the Quartermaster School at Ft. Lee. The 54th and 111th Quartermaster Companies, the Army's only active Mortuary Affairs units, deploy from Ft. Lee when called.

This duty to the fallen is owed on behalf of the Army and the Nation to the soldier, their comrades, and their family. It is a duty performed sadly but willingly.

Related Links

CALL

The Center for Army Lessons Learned rapidly collects, analyzes, disseminates, and archives OIL, TTP and operational records in order to facilitate rapid adaptation initiatives and conduct focused knowledge sharing and transfer that informs the Army and enables operationally based decision making, integration, and innovation throughout the Army and within the JIIM environment.

Casualty & Mortuary Affairs

The help provided to the grieving families of deceased military personnel and the ceremonial paying of respect at their memorials provide the final demonstration of our Nation's gratitude to those who faithfully defended our country in peace and war.

Army Sustainment Resource Portal

Relevent Resources for CASCOM Proponent Units

Mortuary Affairs Museum Galley

The exhibit gallery, “Duty to the Fallen: The Army's Mortuary Mission” opened on November 20, 2000 as a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Mortuary Affairs Center, Ft. Lee, VA, and the Quartermaster Museum.

SKN

Sustainment Knowledge Network

Points of Contacts

Contact JMAC for all Current Mortuary Affairs Operations, Training Development, Equipment and Initiative inquiries.