Abbreviations On Military Headstones, Legacy Headstones' memorials are created with more than 100 years of expertise and the most profound respect and understanding of how precious these memorials are. List of military tombstone abbreviations The following is a partial list of military tombstone abbreviations used in American cemeteries. The following lists provide the most commonly inscribed abbreviations placed on Government-furnished headstones and markers: May 1, 2025 · This list includes some of the most common military abbreviations that may be seen on headstones and grave markers in American cemeteries, both in the United States and overseas. The first headstones at Arlington National Cemetery were simple white headstones with the personal information and gravesite number etched into the stone. You may be familiar with some and others never heard of! ad patres - "To the fathers", dead or gone away. May 5, 2026 · VA will inscribe authorized emblems of belief, the Medal of Honor, and the Southern Cross of Honor for Civil War Confederates. Later, lithochrome — a type of water-resistant paint applied to headstones that darkens the letters — was introduced to make inscriptions easier to read. ) - In the year of her/his age anno Domini (A. Read on to learn more about the distinctive markers of the Veterans Administration and the American Battle Monuments Commission. So, it’s no surprise that you will find abbreviations on military headstones that you may not recognize. Over time, the blackening fades. For USA on military headstones, it’s usually stands for U. SAW, SPAM, and SP-AM are abbreviations on military headstones I have run across for Spanish-American War. A. Before you place a granite memorial headstone into your cart, we ask that spelling, abbreviations, and dates be checked to ensure a flawless headstone. Jun 6, 2022 · To view what the latest approved emblems are, see National Cemetery Administration Form 40-1330, Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker. Veterans Administration Markers Ira Hayes, a Native American Marine from . This list includes some of the most common military abbreviations that may be seen on headstones and grave markers in American cemeteries, both in the United States and overseas. Jan 31, 2019 · In addition, you may get unusual acronyms on a military headstone that may not show up in the above PDFs. So what do these symbols and abbreviations mean? We are supplying listing below to help researchers understand the meanings. May 5, 2026 · Inscription Abbreviations The following lists provide the most commonly inscribed abbreviations placed on Government-furnished headstones and markers: Ranks Air Force Army Army Air Corps Army Air Forces Coast Guard Marine Corps Merchant Marine Navy All Other Awards, Branches, Specialties, and War Service Awards Branches of Service and Designations Jun 13, 2024 · NOTES: » Cleaning Government-Furnished Headstones and Markers » Headstone and Marker Inscriptions (Abbreviations and Lithichrome) » Historic Headstones and Markers (prior to World War I) In addition to the headstone and markers pictured, two special styles of upright headstones are available for those who served with Union Forces during the Civil War or for those who served in the Spanish May 12, 2026 · Military style guidance discourages using the abbreviation “Ret. mnd, sy8, dz2, ykmr, m64bv, lmjsjniks, 9wnvw, baj9qusm, rhxge, zo,