Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 8, 2011 Hesitated for a couple hours then finally snatched these up...looks to be about Span-Am era, removed from an album or a Naval burial at sea. Shows Marines in three of the images, one giving the volley of fire. Thought I'd grab it, as I doubt these things in original prints come along that often First image shows Sailors and Marines in formation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted January 8, 2011 Second image is of the service, with the chaplain present Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted January 8, 2011 Image of the body being surrendered to the sea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted January 8, 2011 Marines render a final salute... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted January 8, 2011 The sounding of taps... I was going to pass as I saw this as more of a Navy group, but it just got to me, a somber, real reminder I intend to frame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got da Penny Posted January 8, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 8, 2011 I agree with you about the subject matter, I have a few WW2 burial at sea pics .. I even have a stretcher covered with a Japanese meatball flag. Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted January 8, 2011 I'd be interested in seeing those images...these are the first I've come across of a burial at sea...though I haven't been looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris3bs Posted January 8, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 8, 2011 Brig The image is so clear that you can read the faces of the gentleman on deck. That to me is rare in itself. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normaninvasion Posted January 8, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 8, 2011 Great images, and leaves you asking for the whole story. These should be right at home with any Marine collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted January 8, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 8, 2011 Happy to see these found a good home - congrat's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 8, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 8, 2011 These are the first I've come across of a burial at sea...though I haven't been looking. Yes, very somber pics. Here is a photo of a burial at sea from the USS Essex. Casualties from a kamikaze attack. Photo is from the Air Group 4 site. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1944 Posted January 8, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 8, 2011 Amazing Pictures for sure to see them being Buried At Sea like that Thanks for sharing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted January 8, 2011 Share #13 Posted January 8, 2011 Thanks for posting these Brig. To me, these bring home the real cost and show with great clarity the sacrifice made by our Navy and Marine members while stationed on fleet duty! Very touching images! :salute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted January 8, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 8, 2011 I agree with you about the subject matter, I have a few WW2 burial at sea pics .. I even have a stretcher covered with a Japanese meatball flag.Carey Yup... for some reason these ceremonies have always, to me, been among the saddest to think about. Don't know why, and not taking anything from any other casualty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted January 8, 2011 perhaps because the body isn't available to the family for closure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted January 8, 2011 Share #16 Posted January 8, 2011 perhaps because the body isn't available to the family for closure? I just think of them all, so many many many, beneath the waves, where we cannot see them anymore... our warships passing overhead, year after year, as if on sentry for them still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted January 8, 2011 thing that struck me about these, back then, notice the ceremony. Everyone's in their best dress, the Marines even wear their gloves how were these performed? Was it just the body, or a casket? Weighted down to not drift? When was the last burial at sea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason G Posted January 9, 2011 Share #18 Posted January 9, 2011 Brig, great stuff for sure! Fantastic photos to a good home. Burials at sea are still performed to this day, and as far as I know, the procedure hasn't changed much from the time of your photos: No casket (it won't sink), the body is usually wrapped in a cloth (sewn into it, in the time of the photo, this would have been the sailmakers job believe it or not), with weights inside to ensure the body goes to the bottom. The weights could be dunnage or anything else that will ensure the body doesn't 'pop up' as the internal gasses expand and release (I assure you a 'floater' is EXTREMELY unpleasant and would be even more so as a sailor/Marine from the field of honor). The body is draped with the colors (I've never heard of one being done with a Japanese flag....I'd bet dollars to donuts that was a Kamakazi pilot or other Japanese and NOT an American) until the moment of departure from the ship, then consigned to the waves. The flag is held by the two sailors at 'the head' of the body, which IIRC is at the the 'top'. (In other words the body goes in feet first). Hopefully that helps some! v/r J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got da Penny Posted January 9, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 9, 2011 (I've never heard of one being done with a Japanese flag....I'd bet dollars to donuts that was a Kamakazi pilot or other Japanese and NOT an American) Jason, correct, My statement should have finished with a Japanese Soldier/Sailor. I will get it posted asap. very unique. Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Posted January 9, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 9, 2011 Here's a shot of a burial ceremony on the U.S.S. Intrepid in 1944. The bodies are from an earlier Kamikaze attack.EDIT: The picture isn't showing up in my post on my browser. If that's the case for everybody else, here is the link directly to the image.(BROKEN LINK REMOVED) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4STARCHRIS Posted January 9, 2011 Share #21 Posted January 9, 2011 Great pics of a burial at sea. If it could only tell the story. 4starchris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camopara Posted January 10, 2011 Share #22 Posted January 10, 2011 I have a PH to a KIA Corregidor vet who was buried at sea. It is unfortunate that the only memorial to these soldiers, sailors, marines is the memorial in the PI. So unless you make it there, nothing would be known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got da Penny Posted January 11, 2011 Share #23 Posted January 11, 2011 First Picture is of GERMAN POW burial at sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got da Penny Posted January 11, 2011 Share #24 Posted January 11, 2011 Next is the Japanese POW i spoke about earlier ... both photos are 8X10's Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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