Why are soldiers who die in combat in foreign lands not buried in the counrty where they fell?

Question

Time was that soldiers who died overseas, say during ww1 and 2 would often be buried in a military cemetary in France for example. There were a number of logistical reasons for this. But now it is routine to bring them home. The result is that in Iraq or Afghanistan there are no military cemetaries for fallen Americans or any other foreign troops. Lets say for the sake of argument that these counries turn into peaceful, model, democratic states. The descendants of the natives there will see no record of the foreign troops who died there for them. I think that soldiers should have the right to choose their final resting place. There could be soldiers who have developed a great affinity for Iraq since serving there and would like to be buried there should the worst come for them.
But right now they have no choice. Their bodies are automatically returned to the US. Those who choose to lie in Iraq will provide a powerful reminder to the locals of just what went on and who died for them.

Answer 1

The reason that bodies were buried in the countries they fell was the practical difficulties in returning them to the US. Now it is easier to return them home so that is what we do.

BTW - every person in the military completes a form that describes who will get his/her remains if they die. It is assumed that this person understands the soldier's wishes regarding burial.

Answer 2

That was in the days when it was not possible to return the soldiers back to the USA for burial, now with air transport and refrigeration bodies can be returned to their loved ones.

It is also a point of fact that past and present enemies would have no respect for the burial places especialy of christian buried in muslim lands. The British WW1 Graveyards in Iraq were often desecrated and the grave markers smashed.

The main concern is that the families of the dead soldiers get their loved ones returned to them for burial the fact that the body is buried at home helps them come to terms with their loss.To know where a loved one is buried also is a form of closure, see how many families from the Vietnam War who have family members missing cannot achieve this part of the grieving process, the not knowing where a loved one is preys heavily on their minds.

And I doubt in the rotation of units if any American soldier has expresed a desire to be buried in Iraq or Afganistan.

I personaly know of Irish soldiers who put in 16 tours of duty with UNIFIL in Lebanon, as Peacekeepers they never wanted to be buried there, if anything happened, but desired to be returned home to Ireland for burial, in all over 40 Irish soldiers died in Lebanon, 39 were returned home for burial, the 40th is M.I.A. and to this day nobody knows where his body is to be located.

Answer 3

I understand your point of view. It was very common for service members to be buried where they died during both World Wars and beyond but times have changed. I believe service members who die today would want to be brought back home anyhow. Although, I do agree with you that some service members will develop a close relationship with Iraq. I'm only one opinion about this but it would be better to honor fallen heroes here. I'm sure that those who died in Iraq would be memorialized somewhere and somehow in the near future.

Answer 4

Interesting answers to this question. Some people did not answer the question at all. Who cares what the family wants?
If the soldier wants to be buried where he falls then that should be his choice. Are people here saying that the families wishes should be respected more than the soldier him or herself? As to the question of the graves beig desecrated. If this is the reason it is not done then one might reasonably ask why we are there in the first place? Who are we fighting and dying for? People who will spit on our graves?
If this is so then let us call a spade a spade. We are an unwelcome occupying army in a foreign land. We are not there to liberate or democratize anyone. Presumably if we were, and did, then the issue of desecration would not be an issue, would it? I agree that soldiers should have the choice to lie where they want. Maybe only a few would opt to lie in Iraq, but it should be their own choice. After all it is they who made the ultimate sacrifce, not us, and not their families.

Answer 5

In Viet Nam, my father was the ranking officer in the neighborhood. He was called before the family was notified and he went to the point of entry in the US to escort the body home. When the body arrived home, the family decided on the mode of burial or cremation. If they wanted a military ceremony with a 21 gun salute or a burial with honors and flag to the family, they asked for the commander to arrange it in a military cemetery. A cross comes later. Posthumous medals can come before or after burial. The cemetaries are so crowded now with soldiers and veterans that the ceremony does not take place until it can be scheduled.

Answer 6

Reason #1 Look at the Commonwealth Military Cemetaries in Iraq(Habbiniyah) for 40 + years they were desecrated by the Iraqi's

I dont think I'd want My Friends Graves being treated in such a Manner.

Its also Happened in Gaza, Africa, etc.

Answer 7

Whether dead or alive, that person is still the citizen of the country and therefore should be brought back for burial. Moreover the families and the law need to know that the real person died, there is evidence instead of just listening to rumours. If it is expensive to transport the body home, you can cremate it first and then put the ashes in a container and send it home but make sure it is the right body.

Answer 8

That makes no sense whatsoever. They may have done it back in the day, but nowadays, I haven't heard of a single soldier, Marine, airman, or sailor who would prefer to be buried in Iraq as opposed to back in the States.

There'll be monuments in the Mid East one day to remind people, should those countries become "peaceful, model, democratic states", of the price that was paid.

You don't need cemeteries to remember. Those who die in that hell deserve to come home.

Answer 9

Because the Military have died for America and should be buried in their homeland. The families want to bury their relatives here so they can go to visit and take care of the grave site.

Answer 10

Refrigeration

I know how you feel, There was a French Cemetary just north of Saigon whe I wanted to be buried if I was killed. The French kept it really nice.