CHAPTER 75—DECEASED PERSONNEL

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VII, §721(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 692, substituted "DECEASED PERSONNEL" for "DEATH BENEFITS" as chapter heading and added subchapter analysis.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Notification to Next of Kin Upon the Death of a Member of the Armed Forces: Study; Update; Training; Report

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, §527, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2572, provided that:

"(a) Study.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on the notification processes of the next of kin upon the death of a member of the Armed Forces. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall identify the following elements:

"(1) The time it takes for such notification to occur after such death, recovery of remains, and identification of remains. Such time shall be determined through an analysis of data regarding cases involving such notifications.

"(2) The effect of media (including social media) and other forms of communication on such processes.

"(3) Means by which the Secretary may improve such processes to reduce the time described in paragraph (1).

"(4) Any legislative recommendations of the Secretary to improve such processes to reduce the time described in paragraph (1).

"(b) Update.—Upon completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall review and update training and education materials regarding such processes, implementing means described in subsection (a)(3).

"(c) Operational Training.—The Secretary of the military department concerned shall include a training exercise, using materials updated (including lessons learned) under subsection (b), regarding a death described in this section in each major exercise conducted by such Secretary or the Secretary of Defense.

"(d) Report.—Not later one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing—

"(1) the results of the study;

"(2) a description of the update under subsection (b); and

"(3) lessons learned, as described in subsection (c)."

SUBCHAPTER I—DEATH INVESTIGATIONS

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VII, §721(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 692, added subchapter I heading and item 1471.

§1471. Forensic pathology investigations

(a) Authority.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner may conduct a forensic pathology investigation to determine the cause or manner of death of a deceased person if such an investigation is determined to be justified under circumstances described in subsection (b). The investigation may include an autopsy of the decedent's remains.

(b) Basis for Investigation.—(1) A forensic pathology investigation of a death under this section is justified if at least one of the circumstances in paragraph (2) and one of the circumstances in paragraph (3) exist.

(2) A circumstance under this paragraph is a circumstance under which—

(A) it appears that the decedent was killed or that, whatever the cause of the decedent's death, the cause was unnatural;

(B) the cause or manner of death is unknown;

(C) there is reasonable suspicion that the death was by unlawful means;

(D) it appears that the death resulted from an infectious disease or from the effects of a hazardous material that may have an adverse effect on the military installation or community involved; or

(E) the identity of the decedent is unknown.

(3) A circumstance under this paragraph is a circumstance under which—

(A) the decedent—

(i) was found dead or died at an installation garrisoned by units of the armed forces that is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States;

(ii) was a member of the armed forces on active duty or inactive duty for training;

(iii) was recently retired under chapter 61 of this title as a result of an injury or illness incurred while a member on active duty or inactive duty for training; or

(iv) was a civilian dependent of a member of the armed forces and was found dead or died outside the United States;

(B) in any other authorized Department of Defense investigation of matters which involves the death, a factual determination of the cause or manner of the death is necessary; or

(C) in any other authorized investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board, or any other Federal agency, an authorized official of such agency with authority to direct a forensic pathology investigation requests that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner conduct such an investigation.

(c) Determination of Justification.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the determination that a circumstance exists under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) shall be made by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.

(2) A commander may make the determination that a circumstance exists under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and require a forensic pathology investigation under this section without regard to a determination made by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner if—

(A) in a case involving circumstances described in paragraph (3)(A)(i) of that subsection, the commander is the commander of the installation where the decedent was found dead or died; or

(B) in a case involving circumstances described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) of that subsection, the commander is the commander of the decedent's unit at a level in the chain of command designated for such purpose in the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

(d) Limitation in Concurrent Jurisdiction Cases.—(1) The exercise of authority under this section is subject to the exercise of primary jurisdiction for the investigation of a death—

(A) in the case of a death in a State, by the State or a local government of the State; or

(B) in the case of a death in a foreign country, by that foreign country under any applicable treaty, status of forces agreement, or other international agreement between the United States and that foreign country.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not limit the authority of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct a forensic pathology investigation of a death that is subject to the exercise of primary jurisdiction by another sovereign if the investigation by the other sovereign is concluded without a forensic pathology investigation that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner considers complete. For the purposes of the preceding sentence a forensic pathology investigation is incomplete if the investigation does not include an autopsy of the decedent.

(e) Procedures.—For a forensic pathology investigation under this section, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner shall—

(1) designate one or more qualified pathologists to conduct the investigation;

(2) to the extent practicable and consistent with responsibilities under this section, give due regard to any applicable law protecting religious beliefs;

(3) as soon as practicable, notify the decedent's family, if known, that the forensic pathology investigation is being conducted;

(4) as soon as practicable after the completion of the investigation, authorize release of the decedent's remains to the family, if known; and

(5) promptly report the results of the forensic pathology investigation to the official responsible for the overall investigation of the death.

(f) Definition of State.—In this section, the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Guam.

(Added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VII, §721(a), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 692.)

SUBCHAPTER II—DEATH BENEFITS

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XI, §1104(a)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3890, added item 1492.

2001—Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, §1048(a)(14), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1223, transferred subchapter II heading so as to appear before the table of sections for that subchapter.

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VII, §721(c)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 694, inserted "SUBCHAPTER II—DEATH BENEFITS" before section 1475 of this title.

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §578(k)(2)(A), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 631, substituted "Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans" for "Honor guard details at funerals of veterans" in item 1491.

1998—Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, §567(b)(2), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2031, added item 1491.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, §1070(a)(8)(B), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2855, substituted "civilian" for "Civilian" in item 1482a.

1993—Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title III, §368(b), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1634, added item 1482a.

1991—Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VI, §626(b)(2), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1380, substituted "Transportation of remains: certain retired members and dependents who die in military medical facilities" for "Transportation of remains of members entitled to retired or retainer pay who die in a military medical facility" in item 1490.

1983—Pub. L. 98–94, title X, §1032(a)(2), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 672, added item 1490.

1980—Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, §403(b)(2), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1979, added item 1489.

1965—Pub. L. 89–150, §1(2), Aug. 28, 1965, 79 Stat. 585, struck out "; death while outside United States" from item 1485.

1958—Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(B), (C), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1455, struck out "CARE OF THE DEAD" from chapter heading, and added items 1475 to 1480.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Meetings of Officials of the Department of Defense With Representative Groups of Survivors of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §580B, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1408, provided that:

"(a) Chiefs of the Armed Forces.—The Secretary of Defense shall direct the chiefs of the Armed Forces to meet periodically with representative groups of survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces to receive feedback from those survivors regarding issues affecting such survivors. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall meet with representative groups of survivors of deceased members of the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard.

"(b) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall meet periodically with representative groups of survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces to discuss policies of the Department of Defense regarding military casualties and Gold Star families.

"(c) Briefing.—Not later than April 1, 2020, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall brief the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives regarding policies established and the results of the meetings under subsection (b)."

§1475. Death gratuity: death of members on active duty or inactive duty training and of certain other persons

(a) Except as provided in section 1480 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall have a death gratuity paid to or for the survivor prescribed by section 1477 of this title, immediately upon receiving official notification of the death of—

(1) a member of an armed force under his jurisdiction who dies while on active duty or while performing authorized travel to or from active duty;

(2) a Reserve of an armed force who dies while on inactive duty training (other than work or study in connection with a correspondence course of an armed force or attendance, in an inactive status, at an educational institution under the sponsorship of an armed force or the Public Health Service);

(3) any Reserve of an armed force who, when authorized or required by an authority designated by the Secretary, assumed an obligation to perform active duty for training, or inactive duty training (other than work or study in connection with a correspondence course of an armed force or attendance, in an inactive status, at an educational institution, under the sponsorship of an armed force or the Public Health Service), and who dies while traveling directly to or from that active duty for training or inactive duty training or while staying at the Reserve's residence, when so authorized by proper authority, during the period of such inactive duty training or between successive days of inactive duty training;

(4) any member of a reserve officers' training corps who dies while performing annual training duty under orders for a period of more than 13 days, or while performing authorized travel to or from that annual training duty; or any applicant for membership in a reserve officers' training corps who dies while attending field training or a practice cruise under section 2104(b)(6)(B) of this title or while performing authorized travel to or from the place where the training or cruise is conducted; or a graduate of a reserve officers' training corps who has received a commission but has yet to receive a first duty assignment; or

(5) a person who dies while traveling to or from or while at a place for final acceptance, or for entry upon active duty (other than for training), in an armed force, who has been ordered or directed to go to that place, and who—

(A) has been provisionally accepted for that duty; or

(B) has been selected, under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), for service in that armed force.

(b) This section does not apply to the survivors of persons who were temporary members of the Coast Guard Reserve at the time of their death.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1452; amended Pub. L. 88–647, title III, §301(1), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1071; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §511(59), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2925; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, §604(e)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3877; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §651(a)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1466; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, §1081(b)(1)(A)(vi), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, §623(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1428; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(27), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3872.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1475(a)	38:1101(2) (less last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1101(4) (as applicable to death gratuity, less (D) (as applicable to 38:1133(a))). 38:1101(5) (as applicable to death gratuity, less (D) (as applicable to 38:1133(a))). 38:1101(6)(A) (less clause (3) of 2d sentence, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1001(6)(B) (1st sentence, less last 32 words, as applicable to death gratuity, and less (ii)) (as applicable to 38: 1133 (a))). 38:1101(11)(E) (less last 27 words, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1131(a).	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §§102(2) (less last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity), 102(2) (last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity), (4) (as applicable to death gratuity, less (D) (as applicable to §303(a))), (5) (as applicable to death gratuity, less (D) (as applicable to §303(a))), (6)(A) (as applicable to death gratuity), (B) (1st sentence, less last 32 words, as applicable to death gratuity, and less (ii) (as applicable to §303(a))), (11)(E) (less last 27 words, as applicable to death gratuity), 301(a), 70 Stat. 858–861, 868.
1475(b)	38:1101(2) (last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under 38: 1131(a)).
	38:1101(6)(A) (clause (3) of 2d sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under 38:1131 (a)).

In subsection (a), the word "receiving" is inserted for clarity. Clause (1) is substituted for 38:1101(2) (1st sentence, and clauses (A)–(C) of 2d sentence); 38:1101(4)(A), (C), and (D); and 38:1101(5)(A), (C), and (D). Clause (2) is based on the words "inactive duty training", in 38:1131(a). Clause (3) (less words in parentheses) is substituted for 38:1101(6)(B) (1st sentence, less last 32 words). 38:1101(6)(A) (1st sentence) is omitted as covered by section 101(31) of this title. The words in parentheses in clause (3) are substituted for 38:1101(6)(A) (2d sentence, less clause (3)). Clause (4) is substituted for 38:1101(2) (clause (D) of 2d sentence) and (5)(C). Clause (5) is substituted for 38:1101(2)(E), (11)(E) (less last 27 words). The words "active duty for training", in 38:1131(a), are omitted as covered by the definition of "active duty" in section 101(22) of this title.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Military Selective Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(B), is title I of act June 24, 1948, ch. 625, 62 Stat. 604, which is classified principally to chapter 49 (§3801 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under section 3801 of Title 50 and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "or a graduate" for "or; or a graduate".

2019—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 116–92 inserted at end "; or a graduate of a reserve officers' training corps who has received a commission but has yet to receive a first duty assignment; or".

2016—Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "(50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.)" for "(50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.)".

2011—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–81 inserted "or while staying at the Reserve's residence, when so authorized by proper authority, during the period of such inactive duty training or between successive days of inactive duty training" before the semicolon at the end.

1986—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 99–661 struck out "from an injury incurred by him after December 31, 1956," before "while traveling directly to or from".

1980—Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted "Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.)" for "Universal Military Training and Service Act (50 App. U.S.C. 451 et seq.)".

1964—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 88–647 inserted provisions covering applicants for membership in a reserve officers' training corps while attending, or in travel to or from field training or a practice cruise.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2019 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, §623(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1428, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, §623, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3677, provided that: "The amendment under subsection (a) [amending this section] applies to deaths that occur on or after May 1, 2017."

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §651(c), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1467, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1478 and 1481 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 31, 2011], and shall apply with respect to deaths that occur on or after that date."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–661 applicable with respect to persons who, after Nov. 14, 1986, incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease or die, see section 604(g) of Pub. L. 99–661, set out as a note under section 1074a of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Public Health Service

Authority vested by this chapter in "military departments", "the Secretary concerned", or "the Secretary of Defense" to be exercised, with respect to commissioned officers of Public Health Service, by Secretary of Health and Human Services or his designee, see section 213a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Authority vested by this chapter in "military departments", "the Secretary concerned", or "the Secretary of Defense" to be exercised, with respect to commissioned officer corps of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, by Secretary of Commerce or Secretary's designee, see section 3071 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Obligation of Defense Health Program Appropriations for Death Gratuity Payments

Pub. L. 116–260, div. C, title VIII, §8123, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1333, provided that: "Amounts appropriated for 'Defense Health Program' in this Act [div. C of Pub. L. 116–260] and hereafter may be obligated to make death gratuity payments, as authorized in subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code, if no appropriation for 'Military Personnel' is available for obligation for such payments: Provided, That such obligations may subsequently be recorded against appropriations available for 'Military Personnel'."

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 116–93, div. A, title VIII, §8127, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2366.

Pub. L. 115–245, div. A, title VIII, §8136, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3030.

Obligation of Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for Death Gratuity Payments

Pub. L. 116–93, div. D, title II, §231, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2517, provided that:

"(a) Any discretionary amounts appropriated in this Act [div. D of Pub. L. 116–93] in the current fiscal year and any fiscal year thereafter may be obligated for death gratuity payments, as authorized in subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code.

"(b) Subsection (a) shall only apply if an appropriation for 'Coast Guard—Operations and Support' is unavailable for obligation for such payments.

"(c) Such obligations shall subsequently be recorded against appropriations that become available for 'Coast Guard—Operations and Support'."

Improved Assistance for Gold Star Spouses and Other Dependents

Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §633, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 786, as amended by Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VI, §625, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1428; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, §624, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3677, provided that:

"(a) Advocates for Gold Star Spouses and Other Dependents.—(1) Each Secretary of a military department shall designate for each Armed Force under the jurisdiction of such Secretary a casualty assistance officer who is a member of such Armed Force or civilian employee of such military department to assist—

"(A) a spouse and any other dependent of a member of such Armed Force (including the reserve components thereof) who dies on active duty; and

"(B) a dependent described in subparagraph (A) if the spouse of the deceased member dies and the dependent (or the guardian of such dependent) requests such assistance.

"(2) Casualty assistance officers described in paragraph (1) shall provide to spouses and dependents described in that paragraph the following services:

"(A) Addressing complaints by spouses and other dependents of deceased members regarding casualty assistance or receipt of benefits authorized by law for such spouses and dependents.

"(B) Providing support to such spouses and dependents regarding such casualty assistance or receipt of such benefits.

"(C) Making reports to appropriate officers or officials in the Department of Defense or the military department concerned regarding resolution of such complaints, including recommendations regarding the settlement of claims with respect to such benefits, as appropriate.

"(D) Performing such other actions as the Secretary of the military department concerned considers appropriate.

"(b) Training for Casualty Assistance Personnel.—

"(1) Training program required.—The Secretary of Defense shall implement a standardized comprehensive training program on casualty assistance for the following personnel of the Department of Defense:

"(A) Casualty assistance officers.

"(B) Casualty assistance calls officers.

"(C) Casualty assistance representatives.

"(2) General elements.—The training program required by paragraph (1) shall include training designed to ensure that the personnel specified in that paragraph provide the spouse and other dependents of a deceased member of the Armed Forces with accurate information on the benefits to which they are entitled and other casualty assistance available to them when the member dies while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.

"(3) Service-specific elements.—The Secretary of the military department concerned may, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, provide for the inclusion in the training program required by paragraph (1) that is provided to casualty assistance personnel of such military department such elements of training that are specific or unique to the requirements or particulars of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such military department as the Secretary of the military department concerned considers appropriate.

"(4) Frequency of training.—Training shall be provided under the program required by paragraph (1) not less often than annually.

"(c) ROTC Graduates.—

"(1) Treated as members.—For purposes of this section, a graduate of a reserve officers' training corps who receives a commission and who dies before receiving a first duty assignment shall be treated as a member of the Armed Forces who dies while on active duty.

"(2) Effective date.—This subsection applies to deaths on or after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 [Dec. 20, 2019]."

Policy and Procedures on Casualty Assistance to Survivors of Military Decedents

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §562, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3267, as amended by Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §566, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2223, provided that:

"(a) Comprehensive Policy on Casualty Assistance.—

"(1) Policy required.—Not later than August 1, 2006, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a comprehensive policy for the Department of Defense on the provision of casualty assistance to survivors and next of kin of members of the Armed Forces who die during military service (in this section referred to as 'military decedents').

"(2) Consultation.—The Secretary shall develop the policy under paragraph (1) in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard.

"(3) Incorporation of past experience and practice.—The policy developed under paragraph (1) shall be based on—

"(A) the experience and best practices of the military departments;

"(B) the recommendations of nongovernment organizations with demonstrated expertise in responding to the needs of survivors of military decedents; and

"(C) such other matters as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

"(4) Procedures.—The policy shall include procedures to be followed by the military departments in the provision of casualty assistance to survivors and next of kin of military decedents. The procedures shall be uniform across the military departments except to the extent necessary to reflect the traditional practices or customs of a particular military department.

"(b) Elements of Policy.—The comprehensive policy developed under subsection (a) shall address the following matters:

"(1) The initial notification of primary and secondary next of kin of the deaths of military decedents and any subsequent notifications of next of kin warranted by circumstances.

"(2) The transportation and disposition of remains of military decedents, including notification of survivors of the performance of autopsies.

"(3) The qualifications, assignment, training, duties, supervision, and accountability for the performance of casualty assistance responsibilities.

"(4) The relief or transfer of casualty assistance officers, including notification to survivors and next of kin of the reassignment of such officers to other duties.

"(5) Centralized, short-term and long-term case-management procedures for casualty assistance by each military department, including rapid access by survivors of military decedents and casualty assistance officers to expert case managers and counselors.

"(6) The provision, through a computer accessible Internet website and other means and at no cost to survivors of military decedents, of personalized, integrated information on the benefits and financial assistance available to such survivors from the Federal Government.

"(7) The provision, at no cost to survivors of military decedents, of legal assistance by military attorneys on matters arising from the deaths of such decedents, including tax matters, on an expedited, prioritized basis.

"(8) The provision of financial counseling to survivors of military decedents, particularly with respect to appropriate disposition of death gratuity and insurance proceeds received by surviving spouses, minor dependent children, and their representatives.

"(9) The provision of information to survivors and next of kin of military decedents on mechanisms for registering complaints about, or requests for, additional assistance related to casualty assistance.

"(10) Liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration in order to ensure prompt and accurate resolution of issues relating to benefits administered by those agencies for survivors of military decedents.

"(11) Data collection regarding the incidence and quality of casualty assistance provided to survivors of military decedents, including surveys of such survivors and military and civilian members assigned casualty assistance duties.

"(12) The process by which the Department of Defense, upon request, provides information (in person and otherwise) to survivors of a military decedent on the cause of, and any investigation into, the death of such military decedent and on the disposition and transportation of the remains of such decedent, which process shall—

"(A) provide for the provision of such information (in person and otherwise) by qualified Department of Defense personnel;

"(B) ensure that information is provided as soon as possible after death and that, when requested, updates are provided, in accordance with the procedures established under this paragraph, in a timely manner when new information becomes available;

"(C) ensure that—

"(i) the initial provision of such information, and each such update, relates the most complete and accurate information available at the time, subject to limitations applicable to classified information; and

"(ii) incomplete or unverified information is identified as such during the course of the provision of such information or update; and

"(D) include procedures by which such survivors shall, upon request, receive updates or supplemental information from qualified Department of Defense personnel.

"(c) Adoption by Military Departments.—Not later than November 1, 2006, the Secretary of each military department shall prescribe regulations, or modify current regulations, on the policies and procedures of such military department on the provision of casualty assistance to survivors and next of kin of military decedents in order to conform such policies and procedures to the policy developed under subsection (a).

"(d) Report on Improvement of Casualty Assistance Programs.—Not later than December 1, 2006, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes—

"(1) the assessment of the Secretary of the adequacy and sufficiency of the current casualty assistance programs of the military departments;

"(2) a plan for a system for the uniform provision to survivors of military decedents of personalized, accurate, and integrated information on the benefits and financial assistance available to such survivors through the casualty assistance programs of the military departments under subsection (c); and

"(3) such recommendations for other legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to enhance and improve such programs to achieve their intended purposes.

"(e) GAO Report.—

"(1) Report required.—Not later than July 1, 2006, the Comptroller General shall submit to the committees specified in subsection (d) a report on the evaluation by the Comptroller General of the casualty assistance programs of the Department of Defense and of such other departments and agencies of the Federal Government as provide casualty assistance to survivors and next of kin of military decedents.

"(2) Assessment.—The report shall include the assessment of the Comptroller General of the adequacy of the current policies and procedures of, and funding for, the casualty assistance programs covered by the report to achieve their intended purposes."

§1476. Death gratuity: death after discharge or release from duty or training

(a)(1) Except as provided in section 1480 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall pay a death gratuity to or for the survivors prescribed in section 1477 of this title of each person who dies within 120 days after discharge or release from—

(A) active duty; or

(B) inactive-duty training (other than work or study in connection with a correspondence course of an armed force or attendance, in an inactive status, at an educational institution under the sponsorship of an armed force or the Public Health Service).

(2) A death gratuity may be paid under paragraph (1) only if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the death resulted from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during—

(A) the active duty or inactive-duty training described in paragraph (1); or

(B) travel directly to or from such duty.

(b) For the purpose of this section, the standards and procedures for determining the incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury are those applicable under the laws relating to disability compensation administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, except that there is no requirement under this section that any incurrence or aggravation have been in line of duty.

(c) This section does not apply to the survivors of persons who were temporary members of the Coast Guard Reserve at the time of their death.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1452; amended Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, §604(e)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3877; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1621(a)(1), (2), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1602, 1603.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1476(a) 1476(b)           1476(c) 1476(d)	38:1133(a). 38:1101(4)(D) (as applicable to 38:1133(a)). 38:1101(5)(D) (as applicable to 38:1133(a)). 38:1101(6)(B)(ii) (as applicable to 38:1133(a)). 38:1133(c). 38:1101(2) (last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under 38:1133(a)). 38:1101(6)(A) (clause (3) of 2d sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under 38:1133(a)).	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §§102(2) (last sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under §303(a)), 102(4)(D) (as applicable to §303(a)), 102(5)(D) (as applicable to §303(a)), 102(6)(A) (clause (3) of 2d sentence, as applicable to death gratuity under §303(a)), 102(6)(B)(ii) (as applicable to §303(a)), 303(a), (c), 70 Stat. 858, 859, 868, 869.

In subsection (a), the words "Except as provided in section 1480 of this title" are inserted to reflect 38:1134(a). The words "to the survivor prescribed by section 1477 of this title" are inserted for clarity. The words "on or after January 1, 1957" are omitted as executed. The words in parentheses in clause (2) are inserted to reflect 38:1101(6)(A) (2d sentence). The words "active duty for training" are omitted as covered by the definition of "active duty" in section 101(22) of this title.

In subsection (c), the word "criteria" is omitted as covered by the word "standards".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1989—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101–189, §1621(a)(2), substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Administrator of Veterans' Affairs".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–189, §1621(a)(1), substituted "Department of Veterans Affairs" for "Veterans' Administration".

1986—Pub. L. 99–661 added subsec. (a), redesignated subsecs. (c) and (d) as (b) and (c), respectively, and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which read as follows:

"(a) Except as provided in section 1480 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall have a death gratuity paid to or for the survivor prescribed by section 1477 of this title of each person who dies within 120 days after his discharge or release from—

"(1) active duty; or

"(2) inactive duty training (other than work or study in connection with a correspondence course of an armed force or attendance, in an inactive status, at an educational institution under the sponsorship of an armed force or the Public Health Service);

if the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs determines that the death resulted from (A) disease or injury incurred or aggravated while performing duty under clause (1) or the travel described in subsection (b), or (B) injury incurred or aggravated while performing training under clause (2) or the travel described in subsection (b)(2).

"(b) The travel covered by subsection (a) is—

"(1) authorized travel to or from the duty described in subsection (a)(1); or

"(2) travel directly to or from the duty or training described in subsection (a)(1) or (2) that is performed by a Reserve who, when authorized or required by an authority designated by the Secretary, assumed an obligation to perform that duty or training and whose injury was incurred or aggravated after December 31, 1956."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–661 applicable with respect to persons who, after Nov. 14, 1986, incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease or die, see section 604(g) of Pub. L. 99–661, set out as a note under section 1074a of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§1477. Death gratuity: eligible survivors

(a) Designation of Recipients.—(1) On and after July 1, 2008, or such earlier date as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe, a person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title may designate one or more persons to receive all or a portion of the amount payable under section 1478 of this title. The designation of a person to receive a portion of the amount shall indicate the percentage of the amount, to be specified only in 10 percent increments, that the designated person may receive. The balance of the amount of the death gratuity, if any, shall be paid in accordance with subsection (b).

(2) If a person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title has a spouse, but designates a person other than the spouse to receive all or a portion of the amount payable under section 1478 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall provide notice of the designation to the spouse.

(b) Distribution of Remainder; Distribution in Absence of Designated Recipient.—If a person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title does not make a designation under subsection (a) or designates only a portion of the amount payable under section 1478 of this title, the amount of the death gratuity not covered by a designation shall be paid as follows:

(1) To the surviving spouse of the person, if any.

(2) If there is no surviving spouse, to any surviving children (as prescribed by subsection (d)) of the person and the descendants of any deceased children by representation.

(3) If there is none of the above, to the surviving parents (as prescribed by subsection (c)) of the person or the survivor of them.

(4) If there is none of the above, to the duly-appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the person.

(5) If there is none of the above, to other next of kin of the person entitled under the laws of domicile of the person at the time of the person's death.

(c) Treatment of Parents.—For purposes of subsection (b)(3), parents include fathers and mothers through adoption. However, only one father and one mother may be recognized in any case, and preference shall be given to those who exercised a parental relationship on the date, or most nearly before the date, on which the decedent entered a status described in section 1475 or 1476 of this title.

(d) Treatment of Children.—Subsection (b)(2) applies, without regard to age or marital status, to—

(1) legitimate children;

(2) adopted children;

(3) stepchildren who were a part of the decedent's household at the time of his death;

(4) illegitimate children of a female decedent; and

(5) illegitimate children of a male decedent—

(A) who have been acknowledged in writing signed by the decedent;

(B) who have been judicially determined, before the decedent's death, to be his children;

(C) who have been otherwise proved, by evidence satisfactory to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to be children of the decedent; or

(D) to whose support the decedent had been judicially ordered to contribute.

(e) Effect of Death Before Receipt of Gratuity.— If a person entitled to all or a portion of a death gratuity under subsection (a) or (b) dies before the person receives the death gratuity, it shall be paid to the living survivor next in the order prescribed by subsection (b).

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1453; amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1621(a)(2), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1603; Pub. L. 110–28, title III, §3306, May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 136; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §645(a), (b), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 158, 159; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title X, §1061(a)(4), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4612.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1477(a)       1477(b)	38:1131(c) (less words in parentheses in clause (2)). 38:1134(d). 38:1101(7) (as applicable to children and as applicable to death gratuity).	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §§102(7) (as applicable to death gratuity), 301(c), (d), 304(d), 70 Stat. 860, 868, 869.
	38:1131(c) (words in parentheses in clause (2)).
1477(c)	38:1101(7) (less applicability to children, as applicable to death gratuity).
1477(d)	38:1131(d).

In subsection (a), the words "highest on the following list" are substituted for the words "first listed below", in 38:1131(c). The words "as prescribed by subsection (b)" are inserted in clause (2) to reflect that subsection. The words "or persons in loco parentis, as prescribed by subsection (c)" are inserted in clauses (3) (A) and (4) to reflect the fact that certain persons who are not parents in the normal sense are included as eligible survivors.

In subsection (d), the words "the death gratuity" are substituted for the words "the amount to which he is entitled under this subchapter". The words "next in the order prescribed" are substituted for the words "first listed under".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(3), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which required a death gratuity payable upon the death of a person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title to be paid to or for the living survivor highest on a specified list.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(3), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(3), added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(1), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "Clauses (3) and (4) of subsection (a), so far as they apply to parents and persons in loco parentis, include fathers and mothers through adoption, and persons who stood in loco parentis to the decedent for a period of not less than one year at any time before he acquired a status described in section 1475 or 1476 of this title. However, only one father and one mother, or their counterparts in loco parentis, may be recognized in any case, and preference shall be given to those who exercised a parental relationship on the date, or most nearly before the date, on which the decedent entered that status."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(2), redesignated subsec. (b) as (d) and substituted "Treatment of Children.—Subsection (b)(2)" for "Subsection (a)(2)" in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 110–181, §645(a)(1), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: "During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection and ending on September 30, 2007, a person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title may designate another person to receive not more than 50 percent of the amount payable under section 1478 of this title. The designation shall indicate the percentage of the amount, to be specified only in 10 percent increments up to the maximum of 50 percent, that the designated person may receive. The balance of the amount of the death gratuity shall be paid to or for the living survivors of the person concerned in accordance with paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a)."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–417 inserted period at end.

Pub. L. 110–181, §645(b), inserted heading and substituted "subsection (a) or (b)" for "subsection (a) or (d)" and "subsection (b)" for "subsection (a).".

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–28, §3306(1), substituted "Subject to subsection (d), a death gratuity" for "A death gratuity".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–28, §3306(3), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–28, §3306(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e) and substituted "If a person entitled to all or a portion of a death gratuity under subsection (a) or (d) dies before the person" for "If an eligible survivor dies before he".

1989—Subsec. (b)(5)(C). Pub. L. 101–189 substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Administrator of Veterans' Affairs".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Regulations

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §645(d), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 160, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Not later than April 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to implement the amendments to section 1477 of title 10, United States Code, made by subsection (a).

"(2) Elements.—The regulations required by paragraph (1) shall include forms for the making of the designation contemplated by subsection (a) of section 1477 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, and instructions for members of the Armed Forces in the filling out of such forms."

Existing Designation Authority

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VI, §645(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 159, provided that: "The authority provided by subsection (d) of section 1477 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 28, 2008], shall remain available to persons covered by section 1475 or 1476 of such title until July 1, 2008, or such earlier date as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe, and any designation under such subsection made before July 1, 2008, or the earlier date prescribed by the Secretary, shall continue in effect until such time as the person who made the designation makes a new designation under such section 1477, as amended by subsection (a) of this section."

§1478. Death gratuity: amount

(a) The death gratuity payable under sections 1475 through 1477 of this title shall be $100,000. For this purpose:

(1) A person covered by subsection (a)(1) of section 1475 of this title who died while traveling to or from active duty (other than for training) is considered to have been on active duty on the date of his death.

(2) A person covered by subsection (a)(3) of section 1475 of this title who died while traveling directly to or from active duty for training is considered to have been on active duty for training on the date of his death.

(3) A person covered by subsection (a)(3) of section 1475 of this title who died while traveling directly to or from inactive duty training is considered to have been on inactive duty training on the date of his death.

(4) A person covered by subsection (a)(3) of section 1475 of this title who died while on authorized stay at the person's residence during a period of inactive duty training or between successive days of inactive duty training is considered to have been on inactive duty training on the date of his death.

(5) A person covered by subsection (a)(4) of section 1475 of this title who died while performing annual training duty or while traveling directly to or from that duty is considered to have been entitled, on the date of his death, to the pay prescribed by the first sentence of section 209(c) of title 37. A person covered by section 1475(a)(4) of this title who dies while attending field training or a practice cruise under section 2104(b)(6)(B) of this title, or while traveling directly to or from the place where the training or cruise is conducted, is considered to have been entitled, on the date of his death, to the pay prescribed by the second sentence of section 209(c) of title 37.

(6) A person covered by subsection (a)(5) of section 1475 of this title is considered to have been on active duty, on the date of his death, in the grade that he would have held on final acceptance, or entry on active duty.

(7) A person covered by section 1476 of this title is considered to have been entitled, on the date of his death, to pay at the rate to which he was entitled on the last day on which he performed duty or training.

(8) A person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title who performed active duty, or inactive duty training, without pay is considered to have been entitled to basic pay while performing that duty or training.

(9) A person covered by section 1475 or 1476 of this title who incurred a disability while on active duty or inactive duty training and who became entitled to basic pay while receiving hospital or medical care, including out-patient care, for that disability, is considered to have been on active duty or inactive duty training, as the case may be, for as long as he is entitled to that pay.

(b) A person who is discharged, or released from active duty (other than for training), is considered to continue on that duty during the period following the date of his discharge or release that, as determined by the Secretary concerned, is necessary for that person to go to his home by the most direct route. That period may not end before midnight of the day on which the member is discharged or released.

[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §664(a)(2)(B), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3316.]

(d)(1) In the case of a person described in paragraph (2), a death gratuity shall be payable, subject to section 664(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, for the death of such person that is in addition to the death gratuity payable in the case of such death under subsection (a).

(2) This subsection applies in the case of a person who died during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2005, while a member of the armed forces on active duty and whose death did not establish eligibility for an additional death gratuity under the prior subsection (e) of this section (as added by section 1013(b) of Public Law 109–13; 119 Stat. 247), because the person was not described in paragraph (2) of that prior subsection.

(3) The amount of additional death gratuity payable under this subsection shall be $150,000.

(4) A payment pursuant to this subsection shall be paid in the same manner as provided under paragraph (4) of the prior subsection (e) of this section (as added by section 1013(b) of Public Law 109–13; 119 Stat. 247), for payments pursuant to paragraph (3)(A) of that prior subsection.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1454; amended Pub. L. 88–647, title III, §301(2), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1071; Pub. L. 89–718, §11, Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1117; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VI, §652(a), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1387; Pub. L. 108–121, title I, §102(a)(1), Nov. 11, 2003, 117 Stat. 1337; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, §646(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1520; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title VI, §643(b), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1958; Pub. L. 109–13, div. A, title I, §1013(a)–(c), May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 246–248; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §664(a)(1), (2), (b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3316; Pub. L. 109–234, title I, §1210, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 430; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §651(a)(2), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1466.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1478(a)	38:1101(6)(B) (last 32 words of 1st sentence, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1101(10)(B) (as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1101(11)(E) (last 27 words, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1131(b). 38:1133(d). 38:1134(c).	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §§102(6)(B) (last 32 words of 1st sentence, as applicable to death gratuity), (10)(B) (as applicable to death gratuity), (11)(E) (last 27 words, as applicable to death gratuity), (12) (as applicable to death gratuity), 301(b), 303(d), 304(c), 70 Stat. 859—861, 868, 869.
1478(b)	38:1101(12) (as applicable to death gratuity).

In subsection (a), the word "pay" is substituted for the words "basic pay (plus special and incentive pays)", since the word "pay", as defined in section 101(27) of this title, includes those types of pay. Clause (1) is inserted to reflect section 1475(a)(1) of this title. Clauses (2) and (3) are substituted for 38:1101(6)(B) (last 32 words of 1st sentence). Clause 4 is substituted for 38:1101(10)(B). The words "to the pay prescribed by section 4385(c) or 9385(c) of this title" are inserted to reflect those sections, which prescribe the training pay of members of reserve officers' training corps units. Clause (5) is substituted for 38:1101(11)(E) (last 27 words). Clause (6) is substituted for 38:1133(d). In clause (6), the word "pay" is substituted for the words "basic pay (plus special and incentive pays)", since the word "pay", as defined in section 101(27) of this title, includes those kinds of pay. Clauses (7) and (8) are substituted for 38:1134(c). In those clauses, the words "active duty for training" are omitted as covered by the definition of "active duty" in section 101(22) of this title. In clause (8), the words "and who became entitled to basic pay" are substituted for the words "and is placed in a pay status" and the words "is entitled to that pay" are substituted for the words "remains in a pay status".

In subsection (b), the words "on or after January 1, 1957" are omitted as executed. The words "(other than for training)" are inserted, since the words "active duty" in the source statute did not include active duty for training. The words "is considered to continue on that duty" are substituted for the words "shall be deemed to continue on active duty". The last sentence is substituted for 38:1101(12) (last 14 words).

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 664(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is section 664(c) of title VI of div. A of Pub. L. 109–163, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3317, which is not classified to the Code.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (a)(4) to (9). Pub. L. 112–81 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) to (8) as (5) to (9), respectively.

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163, §664(a)(1), (2)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted "$100,000" for "$12,000" and struck out "(as adjusted under subsection (c))" before period at end of first sentence.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–163, §664(a)(2)(B), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "Effective on the date on which rates of basic pay under section 204 of title 37 are increased under section 1009 of that title or any other provision of law, the amount of the death gratuity in effect under subsection (a) shall be increased by the same overall average percentage of the increase in the rates of basic pay taking effect on that date."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–163, §664(b), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–234 substituted "August 31, 2005" for "May 11, 2005".

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(a)(2), (e), temporarily substituted "(as adjusted under subsection (d))" for "(as adjusted under subsection (c))" in introductory provisions. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(a)(1)(A), (e), temporarily inserted ", except as provided in subsections (c), (e), and (f)" after "$12,000" in introductory provisions. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(a)(1)(C), (e), temporarily added subsec. (c) which read as follows: "The death gratuity payable under sections 1475 through 1477 of this title is $100,000 in the case of a death resulting from wounds, injuries, or illnesses that are—

"(1) incurred as described in section 1413a(e)(2) of this title; or

"(2) incurred in an operation or area designated as a combat operation or a combat zone, respectively, by the Secretary of Defense under section 1967(e)(1)(A) of title 38."

Former subsec. (c) temporarily redesignated (d). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(a)(1)(B), (e), temporarily redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(b), (e), temporarily added subsec. (e) which read as follows:

"(e)(1) In the case of a person described in paragraph (2), a death gratuity shall be payable in accordance with this subsection for the death of such person that is in addition to the death gratuity payable in the case of such death under subsection (a).

"(2) This subsection applies in the case of a member of the armed forces who dies before the date of the enactment of this subsection as a direct result of one or more wounds, injuries, or illnesses that—

"(A) were incurred in the theater of operations of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or

"(B) were incurred as described in section 1413a(e)(2) of this title on or after October 7, 2001.

"(3) The amount of additional death gratuity payable under this subsection shall be $238,000, of which—

"(A) $150,000 shall be paid in the manner specified in paragraph (4); and

"(B) $88,000 shall be paid in the manner specified in paragraph (5).

"(4) A payment pursuant to paragraph (3)(A) by reason of a death covered by this subsection shall be paid—

"(A) to a beneficiary in proportion to the share of benefits applicable to such beneficiary in the payment of life insurance proceeds paid on the basis of that death under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program under subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38; or

"(B) in the case of a person who elected not to be insured under the provisions of that subchapter, in equal shares to the person or persons who would have received proceeds under those provisions of law for a member who is insured under that subchapter but does not designate named beneficiaries.

"(5) A payment pursuant to paragraph (3)(B) by reason of a death covered by this subsection shall be paid equal shares to the beneficiaries who were paid the death gratuity that was paid with respect to that death under this section." See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–13, §1013(c), (e), temporarily added subsec. (f) which read as follows:

"(f)(1) In the case of a person described in paragraph (2), a death gratuity shall be payable in accordance with this subsection for the death of such person that is in addition to the death gratuity payable in the case of such death under subsection (e).

"(2) This subsection applies in the case of a member of the armed forces who dies during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection and ending on the first day of the first month that begins more than 90 days after such date of one or more wounds, injuries, or illnesses that—

"(A) are incurred in the theater of operations of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or

"(B) are incurred as described in section 1413a(e)(2) of this title.

"(3) The amount of additional death gratuity payable under this subsection shall be $150,000.

"(4) A payment pursuant to paragraph (3) by reason of a death covered by this subsection shall be paid—

"(A) to a beneficiary in proportion to the share of benefits applicable to such beneficiary in the payment of life insurance proceeds payable on the basis of that death under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program under subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38; or

"(B) in the case of a person who elected not to be insured under the provisions of that subchapter, in equal shares to the person or persons who receive proceeds under those provisions of law for a member who is insured under that subchapter but does not designate named beneficiaries."

See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–375, §643(b)(1), inserted "(as adjusted under subsection (c))" before period in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–375, §643(b)(2), added subsec. (c).

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–121 and Pub. L. 108–136 amended subsec. (a) identically, substituting "$12,000" for "$6,000" in introductory provisions.

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–190, in first sentence, substituted "1475 through 1477" for "1475–1477" and "$6,000" for "equal to six months' pay at the rate to which the decedent was entitled on the date of his death, except that the gratuity may not be less than $800 of more than $3,000."

1966—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 89–718 struck out ", United States Code" after "title 37" in two places.

1964—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 88–647 substituted "the first sentence of section 209(c) of title 37, United States Code" for "section 4385(c) or 9385(c) of this title", and provided that a person covered by section 1475(a)(4) of this title who dies in field training or on a practice cruise, or in travel to or from such training or cruise, is considered entitled on the day of his death to the pay prescribed by the second sentence of section 209(c) of Title 37.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–81 effective on Dec. 31, 2011, and applicable with respect to deaths that occur on or after that date, see section 651(c) of Pub. L. 112–81, set out as a note under section 1475 of this title.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–234, title I, §1210, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 430, provided that the amendment made by section 1210 is effective as of Jan. 6, 2006, and as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 109–163.

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §664(a)(3), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3316, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as of October 7, 2001, and shall apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006] and, subject to subsection (c) [119 Stat. 3317], to deaths occurring during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act."

Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments

Pub. L. 109–77, §115, Sept. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2040, provided that: "The provisions of, and amendments made by, sections 1011, 1012, 1013, 1023, and 1026 of Public Law 109–13 [amending this section, section 411h of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services, and sections 1967, 1969, 1970, and 1977 of Title 38, Veterans' Benefits, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 411h of Title 37, and section 1967 of Title 38] shall continue in effect, notwithstanding the fiscal year limitation in section 1011 [119 Stat. 244] and the provisions of sections 1012(i), 1013(e), 1023(c), and 1026(e) of that Public Law [enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 411h of Title 37, and section 1967 of Title 38], through the earlier of: (1) the date specified in section 106(3) of this joint resolution [Dec. 31, 2005]; or (2) with respect to any such section of Public Law 109–13, the date of the enactment into law of legislation that supersedes the provisions of, or the amendments made by, that section."

Pub. L. 109–13, div. A, title I, §1013(d), (e), May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 248, provided that:

"(d) Effective Date.—This section [amending this section] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [May 11, 2005].

"(e) Termination.—

"(1) In general.—This section [amending this section] and the amendment made by this subsection [probably means this section] shall terminate on September 30, 2005. Effective as of October 1, 2005, the provisions of section 1478 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the date before the date of the enactment of this Act [May 11, 2005] shall be revived.

"(2) Continuing obligation to pay.—Any amount of additional death gratuity payable under section 1478 of title 10, United States Code, by reason of the amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) of this section [amending this section] that remains payable as of September 30, 2005, shall, notwithstanding paragraph (1), remain payable after that date until paid."

Effective Date of 2003 Amendments

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, §646(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1520, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as of September 11, 2001, and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after that date."

Pub. L. 108–121, title I, §102(a)(2), Nov. 11, 2003, 117 Stat. 1337, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect as of September 11, 2001, and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after that date."

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment; Transition Provision

Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VI, §652(b), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1388, provided that:

"(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as of August 2, 1990.

"(2) In the case of the payment of a death gratuity under sections 1475 through 1477 of title 10, United States Code, with respect to a person who died during the period beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 5, 1991], the amount of the death gratuity under section 1478(a) of such title (as amended by subsection (a)) shall be reduced by the amount of any such gratuity paid with respect to such person under this section (as in effect on August 1, 1990)."

Temporary Increase in Amount of Death Gratuity; Persian Gulf Conflict

Pub. L. 102–25, title III, §307, Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 82, provided that: "In lieu of the amount of the death gratuity specified in section 1478(a) of title 10, United States Code, the amount of the death gratuity payable under that section shall be $6,000 for a death resulting from any injury or illness incurred during the Persian Gulf conflict or during the 180-day period beginning at the end of the Persian Gulf conflict."

Death Gratuity for Certain Participants Who Died Between August 1, 1990, and April 6, 1991

Pub. L. 102–25, title III, §308, Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 83, required Secretary of Defense to pay death gratuity to each SGLI beneficiary of each deceased member of uniformed services who died after Aug. 1, 1990, and before Apr. 6, 1991, and whose death was in conjunction with or in support of Operation Desert Storm, or attributable to hostile action in regions other than Persian Gulf, as prescribed in regulations set forth by Secretary of Defense.

§1479. Death gratuity: delegation of determinations, payments

For the purpose of making immediate payments under section 1475 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall—

(1) authorize the commanding officer of a territorial command, installation, or district in which a survivor of a person covered by that section is residing to determine the beneficiary eligible for the death gratuity; and

(2) authorize a disbursing or certifying official of each of those commands, installations, or districts to make the payments to the beneficiary, or certify the payments due them, as the case may be.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1455; amended Pub. L. 97–258, §2(b)(1)(A), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1052.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1479	38:1132.	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §302, 70 Stat. 868.

The word "territorial" is substituted for the words "military or naval", since the subsection could only apply to that type of command, installation, or district. Clause (2) is substituted for 38:1132(2).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Par. (2). Pub. L. 97–258 substituted "official" for "officer".

§1480. Death gratuity: miscellaneous provisions

(a) A payment may not be made under sections 1475–1477 of this title if the decedent was put to death as lawful punishment for a crime or a military offense, unless he was put to death by a hostile force with which the armed forces of the United States were engaged in armed conflict.

(b) A payment may not be made under section 1476 unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the decedent was discharged or released, as the case may be, under conditions other than dishonorable from the last period of the duty or training that he performed.

(c) For the purposes of section 1475(a)(3) of this title, the Secretary concerned shall determine whether the decedent was authorized or required to perform the duty or training and whether or not he died from injury so incurred. For the purposes of section 1476 of this title, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make those determinations. In making those determinations, the Secretary concerned or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as the case may be, shall consider—

(1) the hour on which the Reserve began to travel directly to or from the duty or training;

(2) the hour at which he was scheduled to arrive for, or at which he ceased performing, that duty or training;

(3) the method of travel used;

(4) the itinerary;

(5) the manner in which the travel was performed; and

(6) the immediate cause of death.

In cases covered by this subsection, the burden of proof is on the claimant.

(d) Payments under sections 1475–1477 of this title shall be made from appropriations available for the payment of members of the armed force concerned.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(32)(A), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1455; amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1621(a)(2), (5), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1603.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1480(a) 1480(b) 1480(c)     1480(d)	38:1134(a). 38:1133(e). 38:1101(6)(B) (less 1st sentence, as applicable to death gratuity). 38:1134(b).	Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, §§102(6)(B) (less 1st sentence, as applicable to death gratuity) 303(e), 304(a), (b), 70 Stat. 859, 869.

In subsection (a), the words "was put to death" are substituted for the words "suffered death". The words "or naval" are omitted as covered by the word "military".

In subsection (b), the words "last period * * * that he performed" are substituted for the words "such period".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1989—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–189, §1621(a)(2), substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Administrator of Veterans' Affairs".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–189, §1621(a)(2), (5), substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Administrator of Veterans' Affairs" after "section 1476 of this title, the" and "the Secretary concerned or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "the Secretary or the Administrator".

§1481. Recovery, care, and disposition of remains: decedents covered

(a) The Secretary concerned may provide for the recovery, care, and disposition of the remains of the following persons:

(1) Any Regular of an armed force under his jurisdiction who dies while on active duty.

(2) A member of a reserve component of an armed force who dies while—

(A) on active duty;

(B) performing inactive-duty training;

(C) performing authorized travel directly to or from active duty or inactive-duty training;

(D) remaining overnight immediately before the commencement of inactive-duty training, or remaining overnight, between successive periods of inactive-duty training, at or in the vicinity of the site of the inactive-duty training;

(E) staying at the member's residence, when so authorized by proper authority, during a period of inactive duty training or between successive days of inactive duty training;

(F) hospitalized or undergoing treatment for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty or performing inactive-duty training; or

(G) either—

(i) serving on funeral honors duty under section 12503 of this title or section 115 of title 32;

(ii) traveling directly to or from the place at which the member is to so serve; or

(iii) remaining overnight at or in the vicinity of that place before so serving, if the place is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member's residence.

[(3) Repealed. Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, §604(e)(3)(B), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3877.]

(4) Any member of, or applicant for membership in, a reserve officers' training corps who dies while (A) attending a training camp, (B) on an authorized practice cruise, (C) performing authorized travel to or from such a camp or cruise, or (D) hospitalized or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States for injury incurred, or disease contracted, while attending such a camp, while on such a cruise, or while performing that travel.

(5) Any accepted applicant for enlistment in an armed force under his jurisdiction.

(6) Any person who has been discharged from an enlistment in an armed force under his jurisdiction while a patient in a United States hospital, and who continues to be such a patient until the date of his death.

(7) A person who—

(A) dies as a retired member of an armed force under the Secretary's jurisdiction during a continuous hospitalization of the member as a patient in a United States hospital that began while the member was on active duty for a period of more than 30 days; or

(B) is not covered by subparagraph (A) and, while in a retired status by reason of eligibility to retire under chapter 61 of this title, dies during a continuous hospitalization of the person that began while the person was on active duty as a Regular of an armed force under the Secretary's jurisdiction.

(8) Any military prisoner who dies while in his custody.

(9) To the extent authorized under section 1482(f) of this title, any retired member of an armed force who dies while outside the United States or any individual who dies outside the United States while a dependent of such a member.

(10) To the extent authorized under section 1482(g) of this title, any person not otherwise covered by the preceding paragraphs whose remains (or partial remains) have been retained by the Secretary concerned for purposes of a forensic pathology investigation by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner under section 1471 of this title.

(b) This section applies to each person covered by subsection (a)(1)–(7) even though he may have been temporarily absent from active duty, with or without leave, at the time of his death, unless he had been dropped from the rolls of his organization before his death.

(c) In this section, the term "dependent" has the meaning given such term in section 1072(2) of this title.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 112; Pub. L. 88–647, title III, §301(3), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1071; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, §604(e)(3), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3877; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, §652(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2793; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VII, §702(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 371; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §513(e), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1732; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, §645(a), (b), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2049, 2050; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §578(i)(5), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 630; Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title X, §1087(d)(3)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-293; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §513(c), title VI, §638(b)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1093, 1147; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §651(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1467; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §651(a)(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 787.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1481(a)	5:2151 (as applicable to armed forces). 5:2152 (1st 27 words, as applicable to armed forces). 5:2153 (less 1st 18 words, as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §§1, 2 (1st 25 words, as applicable to armed forces), 3 (less 1st 16 words, as applicable to armed forces), 4 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 478.
1481(b)	5:2154 (as applicable to armed forces).

In subsection (a), 5:2151 is omitted as covered by the revised sections of this chapter. In clauses (1), (2), (5)–(7), the words "under his jurisdiction" are inserted for clarity. In clause (1) the words "regular member of an armed force, or member of an armed force without component" are substituted for the words "military personnel", since all other members of the military services are covered by more specific rules set forth in clauses (2) and (7). In clauses (2) and (3), the words "active duty for training" are omitted as covered by the words "active duty". The words "injury incurred, or disease contracted" are substituted for the words "injuries, illness, or disease contracted or incurred". The words "by law", "authorized", "proper authority", and "as authorized by law" are omitted as surplusage. In clause (3), the words "while entitled to" are substituted for the words "in respect of duty for which they are entitled by law to receive". In clause (4), the words "injury incurred, or disease contracted" are substituted for the words "injury, disease or illness contracted or incurred". The words "as authorized by law" are omitted as surplusage. In clause (6), the word "person" is substituted for the words "former enlisted members". In clause (7), the words "active duty for a period of more than 30 days" are substituted for the words "extended active duty".

In subsection (b), the words "This section applies to each person * * * even though" are substituted for the words "The benefits of this Act shall not be denied in respect of a person * * * on the ground".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 113–66 added par. (10).

2011—Subsec. (a)(2)(E) to (G). Pub. L. 112–81 added subpar. (E) and redesignated former subpars. (E) and (F) as (F) and (G), respectively.

2001—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 107–107, §513(c), struck out ", if the site is outside reasonable commuting distance from the member's residence" before semicolon at end.

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 107–107, §638(b)(2), substituted "section 1482(f)" for "section 1482(g)".

2000—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106–398 amended directory language of Pub. L. 105–261, §645(b). See 1998 Amendment note below.

1999—Subsec. (a)(2)(F). Pub. L. 106–65 added subpar. (F).

1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–261, §645(b), as amended by Pub. L. 106–398, struck out ", or member of an armed force without component," after "Regular of an armed force".

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105–261, §645(a), amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: "Any retired member of an armed force under his jurisdiction who becomes a patient in a United States hospital while he is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days, and who continues to be such a patient until the date of his death."

1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 105–85 inserted "remaining overnight immediately before the commencement of inactive-duty training, or" after "(D)".

1996—Subsec. (a)(2)(C) to (E). Pub. L. 104–106 struck out "or" at end of subpar. (C), added subpar. (D), and redesignated former subpar. (D) as (E).

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–337, §652(a)(1)(A), substituted "the remains of the following persons:" for "the remains of—", capitalized the first letter of the first word in pars. (1) to (8), substituted a period for the last semicolon in pars. (1) to (6), substituted a period for "; and" in par. (7), and added par. (9).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–337, §652(a)(1)(B), added subsec. (c).

1986—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 99–661 added par. (2) and struck out former pars. (2) and (3) which read as follows:

"(2) any Reserve of an armed force under his jurisdiction who dies while (A) on active duty, (B) performing authorized travel to or from that duty, (C) on authorized inactive-duty training, or (D) hospitalized or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States for injury incurred, or disease contracted, while on that duty or training or while performing that travel;

"(3) any member of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard who dies while entitled to pay from the United States and while (A) on active duty, (B) performing authorized travel to or from that duty, (C) on authorized inactive-duty training, or (D) hospitalized or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States for injury incurred, or disease contracted, while on that duty or training or while performing that travel;".

1964—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 88–647 substituted ", or applicant for membership in, a reserve officers' training corps" for "the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–81 effective on Dec. 31, 2011, and applicable with respect to deaths that occur on or after that date, see section 651(c) of Pub. L. 112–81, set out as a note under section 1475 of this title.

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title X, §1087(d)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-292, provided that the amendment made by section 1 [[div. A], title X, §1087(d)(3)] is effective Oct. 17, 1998, and as if included in the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, Pub. L. 105–261, as enacted.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, §645(c), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2050, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] applies with respect to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 1998]."

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, §652(a)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2794, provided that: "The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section 1482 of this title] shall apply with respect to the remains of, and incidental expenses incident to the recovery, care, and disposition of, an individual who dies after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1994]."

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–661 applicable with respect to persons who, after Nov. 14, 1986, incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease or die, see section 604(g) of Pub. L. 99–661, set out as a note under section 1074a of this title.

Requirement for Deploying Military Medical Personnel To Be Trained in Preservation of Remains Under Combat or Combat-Related Conditions

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §567, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2224, provided that:

"(a) Requirement.—The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that each military health care professional under that Secretary's jurisdiction who is deployed to a theater of combat operations is trained, before such deployment, in the preservation of remains under combat or combat-related conditions.

"(b) Matters Covered by Training.—The training under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:

"(1) Best practices and procedures for the preservation of the remains of a member of the Armed Forces after death, taking into account the conditions likely to be encountered and the objective of returning the remains to the member's family in the best possible condition.

"(2) Practical case studies based on experience of the Armed Forces in a variety of climactic conditions.

"(c) Covered Military Health Care Professionals.—In this section, the term 'military health care professional' means—

"(1) a physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or combat medic; and

"(2) any other medical personnel with medical specialties who may provide direct patient care and who are designated by the Secretary of the military department concerned.

"(d) Effective Date.—Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any military health care professional who is deployed to a theater of combat operations after the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2006]."

§1482. Expenses incident to death

(a) Incident to the recovery, care, and disposition of the remains of any decedent covered by section 1481 of this title, the Secretary concerned may pay the necessary expenses of the following:

(1) Recovery and identification of the remains.

(2) Notification to the next of kin or other appropriate person.

(3) Preparation of the remains for burial, including cremation if requested by the person designated to direct disposition of the remains.

(4) Furnishing of a uniform or other clothing.

(5) Furnishing of a casket or urn, or both, with outside box.

(6) Hearse service.

(7) Funeral director's services.

(8)(A) Transportation of the remains, and travel and transportation allowances as specified in regulations prescribed under section 464 of title 37 for an escort of one person, to the place, subject to subparagraph (B), selected by the person designated to direct disposition of the remains or, if such a selection is not made, to a national or other cemetery which is selected by the Secretary and in which burial of the decedent is authorized.

(B) The person designated to direct disposition of the remains may select two places under subparagraph (A) if the second place is a national cemetery. If that person selects two places, the Secretary concerned may pay for transportation to the second place only by means of reimbursement under subsection (b).

(C) When transportation of the remains includes transportation by aircraft under section 562 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 10 U.S.C. 1482 note), the Secretary concerned shall provide, to the maximum extent practicable, for delivery of the remains by air to the commercial, general aviation, or military airport nearest to the place selected by the designee.

(9) Interment or inurnment of the remains.

(10) In the case of a decedent under the jurisdiction of a Secretary of a military department at the time of death, enduring care of remains interred in a foreign cemetery if the burial location was designated by such Secretary.

(11)(A) Delivery of personal effects of a decedent to the next of kin or other appropriate person.

(B) If the Secretary concerned enters into an agreement with an entity to carry out subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned may, at the request of the person described in such subparagraph, pursue a claim against such entity that arises from the failure of such entity to substantially perform such subparagraph.

(C) If an entity described in subparagraph (B) fails to substantially perform subparagraph (A) by damaging, losing, or destroying the personal effects of a decedent, the Secretary concerned shall reimburse the person designated under subsection (c) the greater of $1,000 or the fair market value of such damage, loss, or destruction. The Secretary concerned may request, from the person designated under subsection (c), proof of fair market value and ownership of the personal effects.

(b) If an individual pays any expense payable by the United States under this section, the Secretary concerned shall reimburse him or his representative in an amount not larger than that normally incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the supply or service concerned. If reimbursement by the United States is also authorized under another provision of law or regulation, the individual may elect under which provision to be reimbursed.

(c) The following persons may be designated to direct disposition of the remains of a decedent covered by this chapter:

(1) The person identified by the decedent on the record of emergency data maintained by the Secretary concerned (DD Form 93 or any successor to that form), as the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD), regardless of the relationship of the designee to the decedent.

(2) The surviving spouse of the decedent.

(3) Blood relatives of the decedent.

(4) Adoptive relatives of the decedent.

(5) If no person covered by paragraphs (1) through (4) can be found, a person standing in loco parentis to the decedent.

(d) When the remains of a decedent covered by section 1481 of this title, whose death occurs after January 1, 1961, are determined to be nonrecoverable, the person who would have been designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains if they had been recovered may be—

(1) presented with a flag of the United States; however, if the person designated by subsection (c) is other than a parent of the deceased member, a flag of equal size may also be presented to the parents, and

(2) reimbursed by the Secretary concerned for the necessary expenses of a memorial service.

However, the amount of the reimbursement shall be determined in the manner prescribed in subsection (b) for an interment, but may not be larger than that authorized when the United States provides the grave site. A claim for reimbursement under this subsection may be allowed only if it is presented within two years after the date of death or the date the person who would have been designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains, if they had been recovered, receives notification that the member has been reported or determined to be dead under authority of chapter 10 of title 37, whichever is later.

(e) Presentation of Flag of the United States.—(1) In the case of a decedent covered by section 1481 of this title, the Secretary concerned may pay the necessary expenses for the presentation of a flag of the United States to the following persons:

(A) The person designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains of the decedent.

(B) The parents or parent of the decedent, if the person to be presented a flag under subparagraph (A) is other than a parent of the decedent.

(C) The surviving spouse of the decedent (including a surviving spouse who remarries after the decedent's death), if the person to be presented a flag under subparagraph (A) is other than the surviving spouse.

(D) Each child of the decedent, regardless of whether the person to be presented a flag under subparagraph (A) is a child of the decedent.

(2) The Secretary concerned may pay the necessary expenses for the presentation of a flag to the person designated to direct the disposition of the remains of a member of the Reserve of an armed force under his jurisdiction who dies under honorable circumstances as determined by the Secretary and who is not covered by section 1481 of this title if, at the time of such member's death, he—

(A) was a member of the Ready Reserve; or

(B) had performed at least twenty years of service as computed under section 12732 of this title and was not entitled to retired pay under section 12731 of this title.

(3) A flag to be presented to a person under subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1) shall be of equal size to the flag presented under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph to the person designated to direct disposition of the remains of the decedent.

(4) This subsection does not apply to a military prisoner who dies while in the custody of the Secretary concerned and while under a sentence that includes a discharge.

(5) In this subsection:

(A) The term "parent" includes a natural parent, a stepparent, a parent by adoption, or a person who for a period of not less than one year before the death of the decedent stood in loco parentis to the decedent. Preference under paragraph (1)(B) shall be given to the persons who exercised a parental relationship at the time of, or most nearly before, the death of the decedent.

(B) The term "child" has the meaning prescribed by section 1477(d) of this title.

(f) The payment of expenses incident to the recovery, care, and disposition of a decedent covered by section 1481(a)(9) of this title is limited to the payment of expenses described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) and air transportation of the remains from a location outside the United States to a point of entry in the United States. Such air transportation may be provided without reimbursement on a space-available basis in military or military-chartered aircraft. The Secretary concerned may pay any other expenses relating to the remains of such a decedent that are authorized to be paid under this section only on a reimbursable basis. Amounts reimbursed to the Secretary concerned under this subsection shall be credited to appropriations available, at the time of reimbursement, for the payment of such expenses.

(g)(1) The payment of expenses incident to the recovery, care, and disposition of the remains of a decedent covered by section 1481(a)(10) of this title is limited to those expenses that, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, would not have been incurred but for the retention of those remains for purposes of a forensic pathology investigation by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner under section 1471 of this title.

(2) In a case covered by paragraph (1), if the person designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains of a decedent does not direct disposition of the remains that were retained for the forensic pathology investigation, the Secretary may pay for the transportation of those remains to, and interment or inurnment of those remains in, an appropriate place selected by the Secretary, in lieu of the transportation authorized to be paid under paragraph (8) of subsection (a).

(3) In a case covered by paragraph (1), expenses that may be paid do not include expenses with respect to an escort under paragraph (8) of subsection (a), whether or not on a reimbursable basis.

(4) The Secretary concerned may pay any other expenses relating to the remains of such a decedent that are authorized to be paid under this section on a reimbursable basis. Amounts reimbursed to the Secretary concerned under this subsection shall be credited to appropriations available at the time of reimbursement for the payment of such expenses.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 113; Pub. L. 85–716, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 708; Pub. L. 91–397, Sept. 1, 1970, 84 Stat. 837; Pub. L. 91–487, Oct. 22, 1970, 84 Stat. 1086; Pub. L. 93–292, May 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 176; Pub. L. 93–649, Jan. 8, 1975, 88 Stat. 2361; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VI, §§652(a)(3), 653(a)(6), title XVI, §1622(c)(4), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1461, 1462, 1604; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, §652(a)(2), title XVI, §1671(c)(8), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2793, 3014; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(c)(19), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 499; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, §638(b)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1147; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, §591, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 138; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §581, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4472; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §528, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1402; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §§621(e), 651(a)(2)–(c), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 784, 787, 788; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, §632, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1431; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §573(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1404; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, §641, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2633.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1482(a)           1482(b)   1482(c)	5:2152 (less 1st 27 words, as applicable to armed forces). 5:2153 (1st 18 words, as applicable to armed forces). 5:2161 (as applicable to armed forces). 5:2162 (as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §§2 (less 1st 25 words, as applicable to armed forces), 3 (1st 16 words, as applicable to armed forces), 11 (as applicable to armed forces), 12 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 478, 480, 481.

In subsection (a), the list of payable expenses has been rearranged to produce a generally chronological result. The words "person designated" are substituted for the words "person recognized as the person."

In subsection (a)(4), the words "articles of" are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (a)(8), the word "place" is substituted for the words "town or city".

In subsection (a)(10), the words "other than honorable" are omitted, since a person cannot be sentenced to an honorable discharge.

In subsection (b), the words "If an individual pays" are substituted for the words "In any case where expenses * * * are borne by individuals". The second sentence of 5:2161 is omitted as executed. The last sentence is substituted for the last sentence of 5:2161.

In subsection (c), 5:2162 (1st sentence) is omitted since the Secretary has inherent authority to issue regulations appropriate to exercising his statutory functions. The introductory language is substituted for 5:2162 (1st 22 words of 2d sentence). The words "ascertained and" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 117–263 added par. (11).

2019—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 116–92 amended par. (8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: "Transportation of the remains, and travel and transportation allowances as specified in regulations prescribed under section 464 of title 37 for an escort of one person, to the place selected by the person designated to direct disposition of the remains or, if such a selection is not made, to a national or other cemetery which is selected by the Secretary and in which burial of the decedent is authorized. When transportation of the remains includes transportation by aircraft under section 562 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 10 U.S.C. 1482 note), the Secretary concerned shall provide, to the maximum extent practicable, for delivery of the remains by air to the commercial, general aviation, or military airport nearest to the place selected by the designee."

2017—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 115–91 added par. (10).

2013—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 113–66, §621(e), substituted "and travel and transportation allowances as specified in regulations prescribed under section 464 of title 37" for "and roundtrip transportation and prescribed allowances".

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 113–66, §651(b), inserted "or inurnment" after "Interment".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–66, §651(c), substituted "The Secretary concerned may pay any other expenses relating to the remains of such a decedent that are authorized to be paid under this section only on a reimbursable basis." for "The Secretary concerned shall pay all other expenses authorized to be paid under this subsection only on a reimbursable basis."

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66, §651(a)(2), added subsec. (g).

2011—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted "The" for "Only the" in introductory provisions, added par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) to (4) as (2) to (5), respectively, and substituted "paragraphs (1) through (4)" for "clauses (1)–(3)" in par. (5).

2008—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 110–181 inserted at end "When transportation of the remains includes transportation by aircraft under section 562 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 10 U.S.C. 1482 note), the Secretary concerned shall provide, to the maximum extent practicable, for delivery of the remains by air to the commercial, general aviation, or military airport nearest to the place selected by the designee."

Subsec. (a)(10), (11). Pub. L. 110–417, §581(b), struck out pars. (10) and (11) which read as follows:

"(10) Presentation of a flag of the United States to the person designated to direct disposition of the remains, except in the case of a military prisoner who dies while in the custody of the Secretary and while under a sentence that includes a discharge.

"(11) Presentation of a flag of equal size to the flag presented under paragraph (10) to the parents or parent, if the person to be presented a flag under paragraph (10) is other than the parent of the decedent. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term 'parent' includes a natural parent, a stepparent, a parent by adoption or a person who for a period of not less than one year before the death of the decedent stood in loco parentis to him, and preference under this paragraph shall be given to the persons who exercised a parental relationship at the time of, or most nearly before, the death of the decedent."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–417, §581(a), designated existing provisions as par. (2), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) of subsec. (e) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (2), inserted subsec. (e) heading, and added pars. (1) and (3) to (5).

2001—Subsecs. (d) to (g). Pub. L. 107–107 redesignated subsecs. (e) to (g) as (d) to (f), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: "When, as a result of a disaster involving the multiple deaths of persons covered by section 1481 of this title, the Secretary concerned has possession of commingled remains that cannot be individually identified, and burial of those remains in a common grave in a national cemetery is considered necessary, he may, for the interment services of each known decedent, pay the expenses of round-trip transportation to the cemetery of (1) the person who would have been designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains if individual identification had been made, and (2) two additional persons selected by that person who are closely related to the decedent. The transportation expenses authorized to be paid under this subsection may not exceed the transportation allowances authorized for members of the armed forces for travel on official business, but no per diem allowance may be paid."

1996—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted "section" before "12731".

1994—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 103–337, §1671(c)(8), substituted "section 12732" for "section 1332" and "12731" for "section 1331".

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–337, §652(a)(2), added subsec. (g).

1989—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–189, §653(a)(6)(A), substituted  "expenses  of  the  following:"  for  "expenses of—" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1) to (9). Pub. L. 101–189, §653(a)(6)(B), (C), in each of pars. (1) to (9), capitalized first letter of first word and substituted period for semicolon at the end.

Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 101–189, §653(a)(6)(B), (D), capitalized first letter of first word and substituted period for "; and".

Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 101–189, §653(a)(6)(B), (E), capitalized first letter of first word, substituted "paragraph" for "clause" in four places, and substituted "decedent. For the" for "decedent; for the".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–189, §§652(a)(3), 1622(c)(4), substituted "the date of death" for "the effective date of this subsection, or the date of death," and "chapter 10 of title 37" for "chapter 10, title 37" in last sentence.

1975—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 93–649 inserted provision relating to date of notification of death under authority of chapter 10, title 37, to that person who would have been designated under subsection (c) to direct disposition of the remains, had they been recovered.

1974—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–292 added subsec. (f).

1970—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 91–397 added cl. (11).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 91–487 added subsec. (e).

1958—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 85–716 added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1501(c), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 498, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective as of Dec. 1, 1994, and as if included as an amendment made by the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of Pub. L. 103–337, as originally enacted.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by section 652(a)(2) of Pub. L. 103–337 applicable with respect to remains of, and incidental expenses incident to recovery, care, and disposition of, an individual who dies after Oct. 5, 1994, see section 652(a)(3) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 1481 of this title.

Amendment by section 1671(c)(8) of Pub. L. 103–337 effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title.

Department of Defense Policy and Procedures on Media Access at Ceremonies for Dignified Transfer of Remains of Members of the Armed Forces Who Die Overseas

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §542(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2299, provided that:

"(1) Policy required.—Not later than April 1, 2010, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy guaranteeing media access at ceremonies for the dignified transfer of remains of members of the Armed Forces who die while located or serving overseas (in this section referred to as 'military decedents') when approved by the primary next of kin of such military decedents.

"(2) Procedures.—The policy developed under paragraph (1) shall include procedures to be followed by the military departments in conducting appropriate ceremonies for the dignified transfer of remains of military decedents. The procedures shall be uniform across the military departments except to the extent necessary to reflect the traditional practices or customs of a particular military department.

"(3) Elements.—The policy developed under paragraph (1) shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

"(A) Provision for access by media representatives to transfers described in paragraph (1) if approved in advance by the primary next of kin of the military decedent or their designee.

"(B) Procedures for designating with certainty who is authorized to make the decision to approve media access at transfer ceremonies described in that paragraph under reasonable, foreseeable circumstances.

"(C) Conditions for coverage that media representatives must comply with during such transfer ceremonies, and procedures for ensuring agreement in advance by media representatives with the conditions for coverage prescribed by military authorities.

"(D) Procedures for the waiver by the primary next of kin or other designees of Departmental polices relating to delays in release of casualty information to the media and general public, when such waiver is required."

Transportation of Remains of Casualties

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §580A(b), (c), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1408, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, §573, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2601, provided that:

"(b) Transportation for Family.—The Secretary of Defense shall extend travel privileges via Invitational Travel Authorization to family members of members of the Armed Forces who die outside of the United States and whose remains are returned to the United States through the mortuary facility at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

"(c) Transportation of Deceased Military Member.—In the event of a death that requires the Secretary concerned to provide a death benefit under subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code, such Secretary—

"(1) shall provide the next of kin or other appropriate person a commercial air travel use waiver for the transportation of deceased remains of military member who dies outside of—

"(A) the United States; and

"(B) a theater of combat operations; or

"(2) may provide the next of kin or other appropriate person a commercial air travel use waiver for the transportation of deceased remains of military member who dies inside a theater of combat operations."

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §562, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2220, as amended by Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §§573(b), 580A(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1404, 1408, provided that:

"(a) Required Transportation.—In the case of a member of the Armed Forces who dies outside of the United States and whose remains are returned to the United States through the mortuary facility at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, the Secretary concerned, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall provide transportation of the remains of that member from Dover Air Force Base to the applicable escorted remains destination in accordance with section 1482(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code, and this section.

"(b) Escorted Remains Destination.—In this section, the term 'escorted remains destination' means the place to which remains are authorized to be transported under section 1482(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code. If the person designated to direct disposition of the remains selects two places under such section, the term means only the first of those two places.

"(c) Air Transportation From Dover AFB.—

"(1) Military transportation.—If transportation of remains under subsection (a) includes transportation by air, such transportation (except as provided under paragraph (2)) shall be made by military aircraft or military-contracted aircraft.

"(2) Alternative transportation by aircraft.—The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not be applicable to the transportation of remains by air to the extent that the person designated to direct disposition of the remains directs otherwise.

"(3) Primary mission.—When remains are transported by military aircraft or military-contracted aircraft under this section, the primary mission of the aircraft providing that transportation shall be the transportation of such remains. However, more than one set of remains may be transported on the same flight.

"(d) Escort.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned shall ensure that remains transported under this section are continuously escorted from Dover Air Force Base to the applicable escorted remains destination by a member of the Armed Forces in an appropriate grade, as determined by the Secretary.

"(2) Other escort.—If a specific military escort is requested by the person designated to direct disposition of such remains and the Secretary approves that request, then the Secretary is not required to provide an additional military escort under paragraph (1).

"(e) Honor Guard Detail.—

"(1) Provision of detail.—Except in a case in which the person designated to direct disposition of remains requests that no military honor guard be present, the Secretary concerned shall ensure that an honor guard detail is provided in each case of the transportation of remains under this section. The honor guard detail shall be in addition to the escort provided for the transportation of remains under section (d).

"(2) Composition.—An honor guard detail provided under this section shall consist of sufficient members of the Armed Forces to perform the duties specified in paragraph (3). The members of the honor guard detail shall be in uniform.

"(3) Duties.—Except to the extent that the person designated to direct disposition of remains requests that any of the following functions not be performed, an honor guard detail under this section—

"(A) shall—

"(i) travel with the remains during transportation; or

"(ii) meet the remains at the place to which transportation by air (or by rail or motor vehicle, if applicable) is made for the transfer of the remains;

"(B) shall provide appropriate honors at the arrival of the remains referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) (unless airline or other security requirements do not permit such honors to be provided); and

"(C) shall participate in the transfer of the remains from an aircraft, when airport and airline security requirements permit, by carrying out the remains with a flag draped over the casket to a hearse or other form of ground transportation for travel to a funeral home or other place designated by the person designated to direct disposition of such remains.

"(f) Secretary Concerned Defined.—In this section, the term 'Secretary concerned' has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.

"(g) Effective Date.—This section shall take effect at such time as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, but not later than January 1, 2007."

§1482a. Expenses incident to death: civilian employees serving with an armed force

(a) Payment of Expenses.—The Secretary concerned may pay the expenses incident to the death of a civilian employee who dies of injuries incurred in connection with the employee's service with an armed force in a contingency operation, or who dies of injuries incurred in connection with a terrorist incident occurring during the employee's service with an armed force, as follows:

(1) Round-trip transportation and prescribed allowances for one person to escort the remains of the employee to the place authorized under section 5742(b)(1) of title 5.

(2) Presentation of a flag of the United States to the next of kin of the employee.

(3) Presentation of a flag of equal size to the flag presented under paragraph (2) to the parents or parent of the employee, if the person to be presented a flag under paragraph (2) is other than the parent of the employee.

(b) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to implement this section. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to implement this section with regard to civilian employees of the Department of Homeland Security. Regulations under this subsection shall be uniform to the extent possible and shall provide for the Secretary's consideration of the conditions and circumstances surrounding the death of an employee and the nature of the employee's service with the armed force.

(c) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "civilian employee" means a person employed by the Federal Government, including a person entitled to basic pay in accordance with the General Schedule provided in section 5332 of title 5 or a similar basic pay schedule of the Federal Government.

(2) The term "contingency operation" includes humanitarian operations, peacekeeping operations, and similar operations.

(3) The term "parent" has the meaning given such term in section 1482(e)(5)(A) of this title.

(4) The term "Secretary concerned" includes the Secretary of Defense with respect to employees of the Department of Defense who are not employees of a military department.

(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title III, §368(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1633; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, §1070(a)(8)(A), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2855; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(b)(20), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4370.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 111–383 substituted "section 1482(e)(5)(A)" for "section 1482(a)(11)".

2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "of Homeland Security" for "of Transportation" in two places.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337 substituted "civilian" for "Civilian" in section catchline.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title III, §368(c), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1634, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply with respect to the payment of incidental expenses for civilian employees who die while serving in a contingency operation that occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 30, 1993]."

§1483. Prisoners of war and interned enemy aliens

The Secretary concerned may provide for the care and disposition of the remains of prisoners of war and interned enemy aliens who die while in his custody and, incident thereto, pay the necessary expenses of—

(1) notification to the next of kin or other appropriate person;

(2) preparation of the remains for burial, including cremation;

(3) furnishing of clothing;

(4) furnishing of a casket or urn, or both, with outside box;

(5) transportation of the remains to the cemetery or other place selected by the Secretary; and

(6) interment of the remains.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 113.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1483	5:2155 (as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §5 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 479.

The list of payable expenses has been rearranged to produce a generally chronological result. The words "incurred for", and the words "articles of" in clause (3), are omitted as surplusage. In clause (5), the words "cemetery or other place" are substituted for the words "town, city, or cemetery".

§1484. Pensioners, indigent patients, and persons who die on military reservations

If proper disposition of the remains cannot otherwise be made, the Secretary concerned may provide for the care and disposition of the remains of pensioners and indigent patients who die in hospitals operated by his department and of persons who die on the military reservations of that department and, incident thereto, pay the necessary expenses of—

(1) notification to the next of kin or other appropriate person;

(2) preparation of the remains for burial, including cremation;

(3) furnishing of clothing;

(4) furnishing of a casket or urn, or both, with outside box;

(5) transportation of the remains to a cemetery selected by the Secretary; and

(6) interment of the remains.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 114.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1484	5:2156 (as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §6 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 479.

The words "If proper disposition of the remains cannot otherwise be made" are substituted for 5:2156 (last sentence). The words "maintained and" and "incurred for", and the words "articles of" in clause (3), are omitted as surplusage. The words "of that department" are inserted for clarity.

§1485. Dependents of members of armed forces

(a) The Secretary concerned may, if a dependent of a member of an armed force dies while the member is on active duty (other than for training), provide for, and pay the necessary expenses of, transporting the remains of the deceased dependent to the home of the decedent or to any other place that the Secretary determines to be the appropriate place of interment.

(b) The Secretary may furnish mortuary services and supplies, on a reimbursable basis, for persons covered by subsection (a), if (1) that action is practicable, and (2) local commercial mortuary services and supplies are not available or the Secretary believes that their cost is prohibitive.

(c) Reimbursement for mortuary services and supplies furnished under this section shall be collected and credited to appropriations available, at the time of reimbursement, for those services and supplies.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 114; Pub. L. 89–150, §1(1), Aug. 28, 1965, 79 Stat. 585.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1485(a)     1485(b)	5:2157 (1st sentence, as applicable to armed forces). 5:2157 (2d sentence, as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §7(a) (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 479.
1485(c)	5:2157 (less 1st and 2d sentences, as applicable to armed forces).

In subsection (a), the words "a member of an armed force" are substituted for the words "military personnel". The words "the continental limits * * * or in Alaska" are omitted as covered by the definition of "United States" in section 101(1) of this title. The words "while traveling" are substituted for the words "while in transit".

In subsection (b), the word "services" is substituted for the word "facilities".

In subsection (c), the words "the authority of" and "the payments of" are omitted as surplusage. The words "at the time of reimbursement" are substituted for the word "current".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–150 struck out "; death while outside United States" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–150 substituted provision for payment of transportation expenses of remains of deceased dependent of a member of an armed force while the member is on active duty (other than for training), for former provision for payment of the expenses where the member of the armed force is on active duty at a place outside the United States and the dependent dies while residing with that member or while traveling to or from that place.

§1486. Other citizens of United States

(a) If local commercial mortuary services and supplies are not available, or if he believes that their cost is prohibitive, the Secretary concerned may furnish those services and supplies on a reimbursable basis in the case of any of the following citizens of the United States who die outside the United States:

(1) Any employee of a humanitarian agency accredited to the armed forces, such as the American Red Cross and the United Services Organization.

(2) Any civilian performing a service directly for the Secretary because of employment by an agency under a contract with the Secretary.

(3) Any officer or member of a crew of a merchant vessel operated by or for the United States through the Secretary.

(4) Any person who is on duty with an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary and who is paid from non-appropriated funds.

(5) Upon the specific request of the Department of State, any person not otherwise covered by this section.

(6) Any dependent of a person who is covered by this section, if the dependent is living outside the United States with that person at the time of death.

(b) The Secretary may furnish transportation of the remains of persons covered by this section, on a reimbursable basis, to a port of entry in the United States.

(c) Reimbursement for services, supplies, and transportation furnished under this section shall be collected and credited to appropriations available, at the time of reimbursement, for those services, supplies, and transportation.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 114.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1486(a)     1486(b)	5:2158 (1st sentence as applicable to armed forces). 5:2158 (2d sentence, as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §8 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 480.
1486(c)	5:2158 (less 1st and 2d sentences, as applicable to armed forces).

In subsection (a), the word "services" is substituted for the word "facilities". The words "the continental limits * * * or in Alaska" are omitted as covered by definition of "United States" in section 101(1) of this title. In clause (3), the word "masters" is omitted as covered by the word "officer". In clause (4), the words "under the jurisdiction of the Secretary" are inserted for clarity. In clause (5), the words "otherwise covered" are substituted for the words "specifically enumerated". In clause (6), the words "who is covered" are substituted for the words "within the classes enumerated". The words "outside the United States" are substituted for the word "abroad". The words "that person" are substituted for the words "the supporting citizen concerned".

In subsection (b), the word "Government" is omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (c), the words "the authority of" are omitted as surplusage. The words "at the time of reimbursement" are substituted for the word "current".

§1487. Temporary interment

Whenever necessary for the temporary interment of remains pending transportation under this chapter to a designated cemetery, the Secretary concerned may acquire, and provide for the maintenance of, grave sites in commercial cemeteries, or he may acquire the right to use such grave sites for burial purposes. If the death occurs outside the United States and a temporary commercial grave site is not available on a reasonable basis, the Secretary may acquire land, or the right to use land, necessary for the temporary interment of the remains under this chapter.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 115.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1487	5:2159 (as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §9 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 480.

The words "as authorized by this chapter, section 103a(c) of this Title, and section 224 of Title 42", "by purchase or otherwise", "care and", and "single or multiple" are omitted as surplusage. The word "continental" is omitted as covered by the definition of "United States" in section 101(1) of this title.

§1488. Removal of remains

(a) Removal Upon Discontinuance of Installation Cemetery.—If a cemetery on a military reservation, including an installation cemetery, has been or is to be discontinued, the Secretary concerned may provide for the removal of remains from that cemetery to any other cemetery.

(b) Removal From Temporary Interment or Abandoned Grave or Cemetery.—With respect to any deceased member of an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned whose last service terminated honorably by death or otherwise, the Secretary may also provide for the removal of the remains from a place of temporary interment, or from an abandoned grave or cemetery, to a national cemetery.

(c) Removal of Remains of Certain Members With No Known Next of Kin.—(1) The Secretary of the Army may authorize the removal of the remains of a covered member of the armed forces who is buried in an Army National Military Cemetery from the Army National Military Cemetery for transfer to any other cemetery.

(2) The Secretary of the Army, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, may authorize the removal of the remains of a covered member of the armed forces who is buried in a cemetery of the National Cemetery System from that cemetery for transfer to any Army National Military Cemetery.

(3) A removal of remains may not be authorized under this subsection unless the individual seeking the removal of the remains—

(A) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Army that the member of the armed forces concerned has no known next of kin or other person who is interested in maintaining the place of burial; and

(B) undertakes full responsibility for all expenses of the removal of the remains and the reburial of the remains at another cemetery as authorized by this subsection.

(4) In this subsection:

(A) The term "Army National Military Cemetery" means a cemetery specified in section 7721(b) of this title.

(B) The term "covered member of the armed forces" means a member of the armed forces who—

(i) has been awarded the Medal of Honor; and

(ii) has no known next of kin.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 115; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, §594, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3395; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1488	5:2160 (as applicable to armed forces).	July 15, 1954, ch. 507, §10 (as applicable to armed forces), 68 Stat. 480.

The words "national cemeteries, other installation cemeteries, or" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "section 7721(b)" for "section 4721(b)".

2014—Pub. L. 113–291 designated first sentence of existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, designated second sentence of existing provisions as subsec. (b), inserted heading, and substituted "the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned" for "his jurisdiction", and added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

§1489. Death gratuity: members and employees dying outside the United States while assigned to intelligence duties

(a) The Secretary of Defense may pay a gratuity to the surviving dependents of any member of the armed forces or of any employee of the Department of Defense—

(1) who—

(A) is assigned to duty with an intelligence component of the Department of Defense and whose identity as such a member or employee is disguised or concealed; or

(B) is within a category of individuals determined by the Secretary of Defense to be engaged in clandestine intelligence activities; and

(2) who after October 14, 1980 dies as a result of injuries (excluding disease) sustained outside the United States and whose death—

(A) resulted from hostile or terrorist activities; or

(B) occurred in connection with an intelligence activity having a substantial element of risk.

(b) Any payment under subsection (a)—

(1) shall be in an amount equal to the amount of the annual basic pay or salary of the member or employee concerned at the time of death;

(2) shall be considered a gift and shall be in lieu of payment of any lesser death gratuity authorized by this chapter or any other Federal law; and

(3) shall be made under the same conditions as apply to payments authorized by section 413 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3973).

(Added Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, §403(b)(1), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1979; amended Pub. L. 97–22, §11(a)(6), July 10, 1981, 95 Stat. 138; Pub. L. 98–94, title XII, §1268(9), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 706; Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1303(a)(12), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 739.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–145 substituted "armed forces" for "Armed Forces".

1983—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–94 substituted "October 14, 1980" for "the date of the enactment of this section".

1981—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 97–22 substituted "section 413 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3973)" for "section 14 of the Act of August 1, 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2679a)".

§1490. Transportation of remains: certain retired members and dependents who die in military medical facilities

(a) Subject to subsection (b), when a member entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay, or a dependent of such a member, dies while properly admitted under chapter 55 of this title to a medical facility of the armed forces, the Secretary concerned may transport the remains, or pay the cost of transporting the remains, of the decedent to the place of burial of the decedent.

(b)(1) Transportation provided under this section may not be to a place further from the place of death than the decedent's last place of permanent residence, and any amount paid under this section may not exceed the cost of transportation from the place of death to the decedent's last place of permanent residence.

(2) Transportation of the remains of a decedent may not be provided under this section if such transportation is authorized by sections 1481 and 1482 of this title or by chapter 23 of title 38.

(c) Definition of Dependent.—In this section, the term "dependent" has the meaning given such term in section 1072(2) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 98–94, title X, §1032(a)(1), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 671; amended Pub. L. 100–26, §7(k)(3), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 284; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VI, §626(a), (b)(1), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1379, 1380; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §562(a), (b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1483.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–136, §562(a)(1), struck out "located in the United States" after "armed forces".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 108–136, §562(a)(2), struck out "outside the United States or to a place" before "further".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–136, §562(b), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "In this section:

"(1) The term 'United States' includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories and possessions of the United States.

"(2) The term 'dependent' has the meaning given such term in section 1072(2) of this title."

1991—Pub. L. 102–190, §626(b)(1), amended section catchline generally. Prior to amendment, section catchline read as follows: "Transportation of remains of members entitled to retired or retainer pay who die in a military medical facility".

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–190, §626(a)(1), inserted ", or a dependent of such a member," after "equivalent pay".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–190, §626(a)(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: "In this section, the term 'United States' includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories and possessions of the United States."

1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–26 inserted "the term" after "In this section,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §562(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1483, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to persons dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 24, 2003]."

Effective Date

Pub. L. 98–94, title X, §1032(b), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 672, provided that: "Section 1490 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to the transportation of the remains of persons dying after September 30, 1983."

§1491. Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans

(a) Availability of Funeral Honors Detail Ensured.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, upon request, a funeral honors detail is provided for the funeral of any veteran, except when military honors are prohibited under section 985(a) of this title.

(b) Composition of Funeral Honors Details.—(1) The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that a funeral honors detail for the funeral of a veteran consists of two or more persons.

(2) At least two members of the funeral honors detail for a veteran's funeral shall be members of the armed forces (other than members in a retired status). The remainder of the detail may consist of members of the armed forces (including members in a retired status), or members of veterans organizations or other organizations approved for purposes of this section under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Each member of the armed forces in the detail shall wear the uniform of the member's armed force while serving in the detail.

(3) The Secretary concerned shall provide full military honors (as determined by the Secretary concerned) for the funeral of a veteran who—

(A) is first interred or first inurned in Arlington National Cemetery on or after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020;

(B) was awarded the medal of honor or the prisoner-of-war medal; and

(C) is not entitled to full military honors by the grade of that veteran.

(c) Ceremony.—A funeral honors detail shall, at a minimum, perform at the funeral a ceremony that includes the folding of a United States flag and presentation of the flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. Unless a bugler is a member of the detail, the funeral honors detail shall play a recorded version of Taps using audio equipment which the detail shall provide if adequate audio equipment is not otherwise available for use at the funeral.

(d) Support.—(1) To support a funeral honors detail under this section, the Secretary of a military department may provide the following:

(A) For a person who participates in a funeral honors detail (other than a person who is a member of the armed forces not in a retired status or an employee of the United States), either travel and transportation allowances as specified in regulations prescribed under section 464 of title 37 or the daily stipend prescribed under paragraph (2).

(B) For members of a veterans organization or other organization referred to in subsection (b)(2) and for members of the armed forces in a retired status, materiel, equipment, and training.

(C) For members of a veterans organization or other organization referred to in subsection (b)(2), articles of clothing that, as determined by the Secretary concerned, are appropriate as a civilian uniform for persons participating in a funeral honors detail.

(2) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe annually a flat rate daily stipend for purposes of paragraph (1)(A). Such stipend shall be set at a rate so as to encompass typical costs for transportation and other miscellaneous expenses for persons participating in funeral honors details who are members of the armed forces in a retired status and other persons who are not members of the armed forces or employees of the United States.

(3) A stipend paid under this subsection to a member of the armed forces in a retired status is in addition to any compensation to which the member is entitled under section 435(a)(2) of title 37 and any other compensation to which the member may be entitled.

(e) Waiver Authority.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may waive any requirement provided in or pursuant to this section when the Secretary considers it necessary to do so to meet the requirements of war, national emergency, or a contingency operation or other military requirements. The authority to make such a waiver may not be delegated to an official of a military department other than the Secretary of the military department and may not be delegated within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to an official at a level below Under Secretary of Defense.

(2) Before or promptly after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit a notification of the waiver to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.

(f) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Those regulations shall include the following:

(1) A system for selection of units of the armed forces and other organizations to provide funeral honors details.

(2) Procedures for responding and coordinating responses to requests for funeral honors details.

(3) Procedures for establishing standards and protocol.

(4) Procedures for providing training and ensuring quality of performance.

(g) Annual Report.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report not later than January 31 of each year beginning with 2001 and ending with 2005 on the experience of the Department of Defense under this section. Each such report shall provide data on the number of funerals supported under this section, the cost for that support, shown by manpower and other cost factors, and the number and costs of funerals supported by each participating organization. The data in the report shall be presented in a standard format, regardless of military department or other organization.

(h) Veteran Defined.—In this section, the term "veteran" means a decedent who—

(1) served in the active military, naval, air, or space service (as defined in section 101(24) of title 38) and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable; or

(2) was a member or former member of the Selected Reserve described in section 2301(f) of title 38.

(Added Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, §567(b)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2030; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §578(a)(1), (b)–(e), (k)(1), title X, §1067(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 625–627, 630, 774; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §§561(a), 564, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1119, 1120; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §571, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2556; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §662(b)(4), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3315; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, §631(f)(4)(A), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1465; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(a)(9), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, §621(f), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 784; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §574(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1404; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §596(a)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3667; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, §626(c)(5), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, §1741(b)(5), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 681.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–92, which was approved Dec. 20, 2019.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "air, or space service" for "or air service".

2022—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "section 435(a)(2)" for "section 495(a)(2)".

2021—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283 struck out ", at least one of whom shall be a member of the armed force of which the veteran was a member" after "retired status)".

2019—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 116–92 added par. (3).

2013—Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted "travel and transportation allowances as specified in regulations prescribed under section 464 of title 37" for "transportation (or reimbursement for transportation) and expenses".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(9), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, §631(f)(4)(A). See 2011 Amendment note below.

2011—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–81, §631(f)(4)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(9), substituted "495(a)(2)" for "435(a)(2)".

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163 inserted ", except when military honors are prohibited under section 985(a) of this title" before period at end.

2002—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–314, §571(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted " To support a" for "To provide a". Former par. (1) redesignated (1)(A).

Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–314, §571(2), redesignated par. (1) as subpar. (A) of par. (1) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Transportation, or reimbursement for transportation, and expenses for a person who participates in the funeral honors detail and is not a member of the armed forces or an employee of the United States."

Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 107–314, §571(3), redesignated par. (2) as subpar. (B) of par. (1), substituted "For" for "Materiel, equipment, and training for", and inserted "and for members of the armed forces in a retired status, materiel, equipment, and training" before period at end.

Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 107–314, §571(4), redesignated par. (3) as subpar. (C) of par. (1), substituted "For" for "Articles of clothing for", and inserted ", articles of clothing" after "subsection (b)(2)".

Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 107–314, §571(5), added pars. (2) and (3). Former pars. (2) and (3) redesignated subpars. (B) and (C), respectively, of par. (1).

2001—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, §561(a), inserted "(other than members in a retired status)" after "members of the armed forces" in first sentence and inserted "(including members in a retired status)," after "members of the armed forces" in second sentence.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 107–107, §564, added par. (3).

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, §578(k)(1), substituted "Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans" for "Honor guard details at funerals of veterans" as section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(a)(1), amended heading and text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary of a military department shall, upon request, provide an honor guard detail (or ensure that an honor guard detail is provided) for the funeral of any veteran that occurs after December 31, 1999."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(b), substituted "Funeral Honors Details" for "Honor Guard Details" in subsec. (b) heading, designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "a funeral honors detail" for "an honor guard detail" and "two or more persons." for "not less than three persons and (unless a bugler is part of the detail) has the capability to play a recorded version of Taps.", redesignated subsec. (c) as subsec. (b)(2), struck out former subsec. (c) heading "Persons Forming Honor Guards", and substituted "At least two members of the funeral honors detail for a veteran's funeral shall be members of the armed forces, at least one of whom shall be a member of the armed force of which the veteran was a member. The remainder of the detail" for "An honor guard detail" and "Each member of the armed forces in the detail shall wear the uniform of the member's armed force while serving in the detail." for "The Secretary of a military department may provide transportation, or reimbursement for transportation, and expenses for a person who participates in an honor guard detail under this section and is not a member of the armed forces or an employee of the United States."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(c)(2), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated subsec. (b)(2).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(c)(2), added subsecs. (d) and (e). Former subsecs. (d) and (e) redesignated (f) and (g), respectively.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(d), amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary of Defense shall by regulation establish a system for selection of units of the armed forces and other organizations to provide honor guard details. The system shall place an emphasis on balancing the funeral detail workload among the units and organizations providing honor guard details in an equitable manner as they are able to respond to requests for such details in terms of geographic proximity and available resources. The Secretary shall provide in such regulations that the armed force in which a veteran served shall not be considered to be a factor when selecting the military unit or other organization to provide an honor guard detail for the funeral of the veteran."

Pub. L. 106–65, §578(c)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–65, §1067(1), substituted "and the Committee on Armed Services" for "and the Committee on National Security".

Pub. L. 106–65, §578(c)(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 106–65, §578(e), amended heading and text of subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In this section, the term 'veteran' has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of title 38."

Pub. L. 106–65, §578(c)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1947, provided that the amendment made by section 1076(a)(9) is effective Dec. 31, 2011, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–81 as enacted.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–163 applicable with respect to funerals and burials that occur on or after Jan. 6, 2006, see section 662(e) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 985 of this title.

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, §578(a)(2), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 625, provided that: "Section 1491(a) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to funerals that occur after December 31, 1999."

Full Military Funeral Honors for Veterans at Military Installations

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §574(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1404, provided that:

"(1) Installation plans for honors required.—The commander of each military installation at or through which a funeral honors detail for a veteran is provided pursuant to section 1491 of title 10, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), shall maintain and carry out a plan for the provision, upon request, of full military funeral honors at funerals of veterans for whom a funeral honors detail is authorized in that section.

"(2) Elements.—Each plan of an installation under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

"(A) Mechanisms to ensure compliance with the requirements applicable to the composition of funeral honors details in section 1491(b) of title 10, United States Code (as so amended).

"(B) Mechanisms to ensure compliance with the requirements for ceremonies for funerals in section 1491(c) of such title.

"(C) In addition to the ceremonies required pursuant to subparagraph (B), the provision of a gun salute, if otherwise authorized, for each funeral by appropriate personnel, including personnel of the installation, members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces residing in the vicinity of the installation who are ordered to funeral honors duty, or members of veterans organizations or other organizations referred to in section 1491(b)(2) of such title.

"(D) Mechanisms for the provision of support authorized by section 1491(d) of such title.

"(E) Such other mechanisms and activities as the Secretary concerned considers appropriate in order to assure that full military funeral honors are provided upon request at funerals of veterans.

"(3) Definitions.—In this subsection:

"(A) The term 'Secretary concerned' has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.

"(B) The term 'veteran' has the meaning given that term in section 1491(h) of title 10, United States Code."

§1492. Authority to provide travel and transportation allowances in connection with transfer ceremonies of certain civilian employees who die overseas

(a) Authority.—A covered official may treat a covered relative of a covered employee under the jurisdiction of that covered official in the same manner the Secretary of a military department treats, under section 481f(d) ¹ of title 37, next of kin and family members of a member of the armed forces who dies while located or serving overseas.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "covered employee" means a civilian employee—

(A) under the jurisdiction of a covered official; and

(B) who dies while located or serving overseas.

(2) The term "covered official" means—

(A) the Secretary of the military department concerned; and

(B) the head of a Defense Agency or Department of Defense Field Activity.

(3) The term "covered relative" means—

(A) the primary next of kin of the covered employee;

(B) two family members (other than primary next of kin) of the covered employee; and

(C) one or more additional family members of the covered employee, at the discretion of the Secretary a sibling of the covered employee.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XI, §1104(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3889.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 481f of title 37, referred to in subsec. (a), was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VI, §604(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1767.

¹ See References in Text note below.