Personnel Support Division

Field Support (PSC-PSD-FS)

Casualty Matters

Casualty Assistance and Decedent Affairs:

Mr. Roger Dray / Roger.G.Dray@uscg.mil

Military Funeral Honors:

24/7 - Duty Phone: 571-266-2375 

The Office of Casualty Matters is responsible for Coast Guard military personnel casualties, which includes death, serious illness and injury, and involuntary absence due to being missing, captured, or detained.

The program encompasses reporting, notification, assistance procedures, and long term support to the next of kin (NOK) of Coast Guard casualties, the return of remains of deceased Coast Guard personnel, and the oversight of military funeral honors.

Guidance for Requesting CG Military Funeral Honors Support

Funeral directors, family members, and veteran advocates requesting Military Funeral Honors (MFH) for a deceased CG veteran (to include NOAA and PHS) should consult the following link to find the phone number for the regional coordinator that applies to their area:   https://www.militaryonesource.mil/leaders-service-providers/casualty-assistance/military-funeral-honors

*World War II Merchant Mariners requesting MFH are eligible to receive honors from the US Navy as they were serving under Naval Orders at the time of service.  Please use the above link to locate the Navy MFH Coordinator for your area.

Should the request be urgent (24-72 hour lead time) or the requester unable to get a reasonable timeframe from the listed number, contact the Casualty Matters Chief on the duty cell phone 24x7: 571-266-2375.  Messages left on the Casualty Matters Chief office phone or faxes received are only checked during normal business hours excluding federal holidays.  A minimum of 24 hours notice is required, and in some cases depending on travel distance, 48-72 hours are required.  Please contact the Casualty Office if additional MFH or Burial at Sea (BAS) guidance is requested. A completed MFH Request Form (available below) and the veteran's DD-214 are needed. The regional coordinator will then attempt to schedule the honors detail with a local unit where the ceremony will occur. The Navy or National Guard typically do not and should not provide honors for CG veterans except as requested by the regional coordinator when resources are scarce.

Military Funeral Honors Procedures

• Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Guidance       

•  https://www.militaryonesource.mil/leaders-service-providers/casualty-assistance/military-funeral-honors (use link to locate the phone number for a Military Funeral Coordinator in any service branch across the country)

• DODI 1300.15, Military Funeral Support

• USCG Request for Military Funeral Honors Form

Decedent Affairs Officers (DAO) and Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) Information

The following information and procedures are provided to help DAOs and CACOs in the execution of their duties when assigned to assist the Next of Kin or a deceased, ill, or injured Coast Guard member.

GOLD STAR PROGRAM

Casualty Procedures

• Personnel Casualty Report Message (PERSCAS) Guidance  

• CACO Actions

• Personnel Casualty Procedure - Releasing names of casualties to the public

• Personnel Casualty Procedure - Selecting and tasking a CACO

• Personnel Casualty Procedure - Considerations for terminally ill, injured or wounded

• Personnel Casualty Procedure - Funeral expense claim, DD-1375

Information, Training, Tools and Comms

• Impact of TDRL Status on SGLI Coverage and VGLI Enrollment

• TSGLI information - Traumatic Injury Protection Program

• Death Benefits Comparison - Active Duty vs. Retired, Cadet, or Not LOD

• Time Zone Chart

• Information Sheet for condolences to dependents

• Information Sheet for condolences to military members

• MP3 Audio File of USCG Bugler Playing Taps (for loading into electronic ceremonial bugles)

• Casualty Classifications

• http://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-and-relationships/casualty-assistance-and-surviving-loss

Publications and Forms

• CACO Go-Kit

• Dependent Checklist Guidance

• DOD Survivors Guide to Benefits

• SPO Worksheet for DD-1300 Data Elements

• Authorization for Disclosure of Information, CG-1775

• Personal Effects Inventory - example CG-3853

• DD-1375 (fillable)

• Statement of Disposition of Remains

Mailing Address:

COMMANDER
PERSONNEL SERVICE CENTER

ATTN: PSC-PSD-FS
US COAST GUARD STOP 7200
2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE
WASHINGTON DC  20593-7200