Burial records
 

I was told that some of the bodies of downed pilots and crew were temporarily buried by french locals and some by German soldiers. My uncle was buried after his plane went down on 15 Sept 43 over Paris France. He was later moved to Arlington National Cemetery in the United States in 1949. So there should be records kept somewhere for them to be able to return him to the States. Is there any way to find out where he was originally buried. Five of his crew are in the Epinal American Cemetery and another one in Lorraine American Cemetery.

Berk

Re: Burial records
 

Berk,

If you want to wait six month or more, contact the Army Human Resources Command, 200 Stoval Street, Alexandria Virginia, and request his Individual Deceased Personnel File. Mention that yours is a Freedom of Information Act request, and that you are willing to pay all related FOIA costs (usually around $20) and be sure to sign the request.

Hope this helps,
Dwight Pruitt

Re: Burial records
 

Dwight,
Thanks for the quick responce. Do you know if you can go there and get a copy of the file? I will be going to the NARA II at college park Maryland next week for research. It is on the way.

Thanks
Berk

Re: Burial records
 

Berk, as the files are managed by the Army, you can't "pull" them like at NARA. You have to wait for them to copy and mail them to you.

I do know a researcher that can give you basic information for a charge of 15 Dollars. He'll be able to tell you which temporary American cemetery your uncle was buried before being repatriated to Arlington, but where he was buried initially by the French or Germans, might be iffy.

Re: Burial records
 

Berk,

Be adviced ordering the IDPF can take some time. I'm waiting for almost 11 months now....

Regards,

Paul

Re: pilot's serial number ?
 

Last time i've asked for an IDPF, i was asked for serial number of the pilot wich was very difficult. I'm living not too far from Epinal Dinoze US cemetery so if you want, i could ask to the surintendant more infos about the crewmen buried there. That could be a first way to follow.

Stephane Muret

Re: Burial records
 

hi

maybe you can ask the ABMC were he was burried before
otherwise it will be in the IDPF
i never payed for a IDPD
i have several at home
here is the adress you can ask for the file

Department of the army
Administration section
Attn: TAPC-ALP-A (FOIA)
DCS Personnel & logistics
200 stovall street
Alexandria, VA 22331-0405

the fasted i received after 2 months
the longest i have to waith for 7 months

greets ron
http://www.mary-ruth.ontheweb.nl

Re: Burial records
 

Berk,
Can you tell me on what crew your uncle flew? Depending on that info, there may be some more to tell you.
Best regards,
Ivo de Jong

Re: Burial records
 

Human Resources Command will "give" you one free IDPF per calendar year. I'm finding them to be increasingly tough to deal with. I usually order 6-10 a year, and it seems they are trying to make it as inconvinient as possible. The last IDPF that I ordered was expensive- over $60.00, becuase whoever did the copying copied everything in the file, including front and back copies of envelopes, front and back copies of the folder cover and front and back copies of blank pages....all of which run the charges up. The NPRC is St. Louis did the same thing before they stopped replying to requests for WWI medal index cards.

WWII, Korea and Vietnam war casualties have no logical reason to be administered by the US Army. They need to be administered by NARA.

Re: Burial records
 

Fellow members,
My uncle is now located in Arlington National Cemetery USA. I was told by the ABMC that he was temporarily buried in Solers Cemetery. They also told me that Solers Cemetery was not established until 30 August 1944. My uncle was KIA on 15 Sept 43. This would mean he and his crew were buried somewhere else for over 11 months. I have repuested a copy of his IDPF. I hope it will fill the the blanks. Has anyone else had similar circumstances

Thanks to you all,
Berk

Re: Burial records
 

Ivo de Jong,
My uncle was 1st Lt James V Richardson B-17 Pilot 8th Air Force 96th BG 339 BS, I know his plane went down in the forest of St Germain. Have letter from frenchmen who found wallet of my uncle and it and its contents were returned after the war. I have information from Michel Lugez that according to him my uncle was buried in a commom hole in the cemetery of Saint Germain-En-Laye. Anyone with any information on this cemetery please contact me.

Thanks Berk

Re: Burial records
 

Hi,

From their website -

http://www.saint-germain-en-laye.fr/plan/a4.html

Alex

Re: Burial records
 

Hi Berk,

Few years before i've purchased a downed american pilot who was killed east of France on august 27 1944. He was first buried by german troops in a civil cemetery, not in the village of the crash but the next town. It was usual for german soldiers to bury allied KIA pilots far from the crash site, most of the time early in the morning or late at evening, because they don't want local to honor the downed pilot. At the end of september 1944, after liberation, body was recovered by american troops then buried in a temporary US cemetery (Varois near Dijon). In 1947, body was sent to Epinal Dinoze US cemetery, then given to the family (end of 1947). All details were given by IDPF wich was really very accurate.
Good luck
Stephane Muret

Re: Burial records
 

Stephane Muret,
I appreciate your response. I hope in my uncles case the IDPF has all the info you say. Did you find a form to fill out for your request? Or just type one. I am afraid mine may not reach the right department. I sent my request to Department of the Army, 200 Stoval Street, Alexandria, Va. instead ot the address ron Ra's listed on his post.

Thanks
Berk

Re: Burial records
 

Hello Berk,
The usually very well informed Jan Hey writes in his 'losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces' about the crew: 'those KIA were all buried in the New Cemetery at Viroflay, Paris'.
I am sure that the IDPF will bring the information that you are searching.
Best regards,
Ivo de Jong

Re: Burial records
 

hi berk

that is the adres where i always ask for the IPF
i have a standard letter top ask for it
i received now in 2 1/2 years 8 IDPFfiles
and i never payed for it
you only have to be patience

Re: Burial records
 

Hello Berk, (and Ron)

Ron is very lucky, i usually ask for one or two IDPF for one year but i always must pay to obtain them, never the same price but as it was written before, it depends from what is copied in the IDPF ... I've just sent a letter to the same adress than you, askiing for the IDPF and giving all the details i have ... It takes from 3 to 6 monthes to obtain a response. I'm sure this will give you all the informations you need. Last i received about lost pilot from 324th FG gave me so many informations like testimonies from german soldiers from Flak, french peoples ...

Be patient but i hope you'll be successful in your quest !
Stephane

Re: Burial records
 

Ivo de Jong
While researching for the German MACR on my uncles plane. I found information that confirmed my uncle was buried in the "New Cemetery, Viroflay, Paris" as you said. It gave me names and grave numbers for my uncle and some of his crew. Some names were unknown. Do you know if this cemetery is still in existance? If so do you have any information?

Thanks again,
Berl

Re: Burial records
 

Hello Berk,

Go to www.ville-viroflay.fr/general.swf
Click on 'divers' and then on 'cimetiere'.
You'll notice it's still there (and should probably still have an administration).
Best,
Ivo

Re: Burial records
 

Ivo,
This will be of great help. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Thanks again,
Berk

Re: Burial records
 

the cemetery of viroflay

Re: Burial records
 

Have not received IDPF but have information that my uncle was buried originally in the New Cemetery of Viroflay near Paris grave number 31 before being moved to Solers. Appreciate any information or photos.

Thanks
Berk