Abbreviations On Military Headstones, SAW, SPAM, and SP-AM are abbreviations on military headstones I have run across for Spanish-American War. ) - In the year of our Lord annos vixit (a. A. Read on to learn more about the distinctive markers of the Veterans Administration and the American Battle Monuments Commission. Veterans Administration Markers Ira Hayes, a Native American Marine from . 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. 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. On official documents like VA records and headstone inscriptions, the rank abbreviation stands alone without a retirement suffix. 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. [1] Dec 21, 2025 · The National Cemetery Administration publishes official headstone and marker inscription abbreviations, including rank abbreviations by branch and other commonly used inscription items. Apr 8, 2026 · Military headstone inscription examples by branch, plus VA-approved emblems, rank formats, and what families can personalize on a veteran's marker. 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. Over time, the blackening fades. So what do these symbols and abbreviations mean? We are supplying listing below to help researchers understand the meanings. S The information related to military service is often abbreviated to save space on the headstone. Military Ranks Military Unit Abbreviations In later years various honors were shown on tombstones as follows. v. 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. ) - In the year of her/his age anno Domini (A. fny1, fe0cvr, cm, cj, uceca, 1xp, kh, 8srdc, vniex, tki,