Why Does US Navy Still Perform Burials at Sea? 

Do you know anyone personally who was buried at sea? and what are your thoughts on it?

“Niel Armstrong was the only person who was born on land, walked on the moon, and buried at sea.” What a legend.

That soviet burial was surprisingly respectful

Really show the respect militaries have for each other with the burial of the Soviet submariners

Don't forget the Kamikaze pilot in WW 2 who was given a full burial at sea when his plane crashed onto a ship but did not explode. The crew even sewed an Imperial Japanese flag for him. On the afternoon of April 11, 1945, with tensions at their highest in the Pacific theater of World War II, a kamikaze pilot crashed a Japanese Zero fighter plane into the starboard side of the USS Missouri during the Battle of Okinawa. Fortunately, the Missouri sustained only minor damage and none of its crew members suffered serious injuries. However, the pilot - believed to be 19-year-old Setsuo Ishino - was killed instantly, his body found among the wreckage on the deck. The USS Missouri’s commanding officer, Captain William M. Callaghan, issued an order that the pilot be given a military burial at sea the following morning. A Japanese flag, hastily-sewn and pieced together by Missouri crew members, was draped over the pilot’s body and as he was laid to rest, the Marine guard fired a traditional three-volley rifle salute, a bugler played “Taps” and the ship’s chaplain, Roland Faulk, concluded the brief ceremony with the words, “Commend his body to the deep.”

It makes me extremely proud that our navy would go above and beyond for dead enemy sailors. While we have our differences and disagree on many things, we are all human beings that deserve respect.

This one tugged at the heart strings. A beautiful documentary.

The Captain of the ship I was on in 1983 conducted a burial at sea for his father. The deceased ashes were spread, so we had to change course to ensure the ashes didn't blow back onto the ship. His brother and nephew were able to attend the ceremony as they were onboard as part of a Tiger cruise.

I remember writing in the deck log for burial at sea. "LT John Doe committed to the sea at lat/long". Deck logs are official record, they can be requested from Naval History and Heritage Center.

I've done a couple of them! It's a moving and longstanding naval tradition. If you were killed in battle or if you're honorably discharged or retired you can request to be buried at sea, it's recorded and a copy along with the flag that was ran up the main mast and then ceremonialously lowered for the ceremony. This is correct about cremation, every time I did them it was ashes. The strict way the ceremony is performed is different than any other I witnessed over 23 years in the Navy. The ship will pass the words... Officers Call, then calls the crew to quarters. Shortly thereafter the Bridge will pass the words "All stop" and the words "all hands lay topside to bury the dead". The ship will go all stop and the Quartermaster will mark the ship's position in the official navigation log. The Commanding Officer will come up to the formation, along with a Chaplain, a eulogy will be read and then the Master at Arms will call a 7 Sailor formation to attention, half right face, give the command "prepare to fire 21 gun salute in vollies of 3", they'll fire 3 vollies of 3 (21 shots), 8 bells will sound whenever the remains are passed over the side. Ones remains are in the ocean, the crew will post from quarters given the command carry out the Plan of the Day and crew will return to duties.

Both shipmates we lost when I was in the Navy were sent home immediately.

This is very touching and well put together. I wish the statement at 11:41 held true for all veterans, living and deceased. RIP

Very good video specially as we JUST lost the last survivor of u.s.s. Arizona!

Beautifully done NWYT! The only point of disagreement: the three volley salute. Its origins lie in the European wars of the 18th century. Three volley firings ovcured as a temporary battlefield armistice. It signaled a ceasefire to both sides, and allowed opposing forces to gather their dead and wounded from the field. A secondary three volley salute was done to signal an end of the ceasefire.

I am retired UA Army Mortuary Affairs. You missed it on the 3 round volley. It goes back to a time both sides would stop fighting to collect their wounded and decreased. The 3 round volley was to signal the other side "We have collected our deceased."

nearly cried multiple times during this, and actually cried at the end. I don't know anyone who was burried like this or have any stories, but I found it very moving.

As a USN Corpsman I had the pleasure of being a part of a burial at sea several times during 1989 & 1990....

Ah I remember having to view one of these while on deployment recently. On a DDG out in the Pacific over in East Asia with about 6 urns. It is definitely something worth seeing at least once when it happens. Lots of care was put into it by our crew and it was well documented by our PAO for the families. We never personally knew these people that we had sent to the sea, nor did we know if they were a part of our crew, but that didn't stop us from putting on our best for them. Fair winds and following seas. Edit: one more thing to add: This happened not that long ago and I am still in the Navy currently on the ship it happened on, so feel free to ask any questions. I wasn't a participant in the event, but just an onlooker outside just before watch.

Definitely one of the best and most informative videos thst you have made.

why must you make me cry like this

How grateful I am to the US NAVY for the service they preformed for my mother.

This is beautiful and heartbreaking, truly the respect our veterans deserve

Incredibly moving.

The respect given to the fallen Soviet submariners is akin to a similar service given to a Japanese Kamikaze pilot whose remains were recovered by the crew of the ship that the fated pilot had crashed into (but obviously failed to sink) towards the end of WWII. (Unfortunately, I cannot recall the name of the ship involved in this incident.) (edit: thanks to another commenter mentioning this incident, the ship involved was the "USS Missouri.")

Recently, the father of one of my moms friends was cremated and buried at sea aboard USS Ford (CV-78) prior to its first deployment. Despite wanting to be buried on USS The Sullivans due to him knowing the brothers during WW2, the Navy carried out his final wish with dignity and professionalism and fulfilled his final wish.

This was a great video. I’ve always been fascinated by burials at sea. I had no idea there were so many different and unique ways to do it!

Thanks for making this. It’s a beautiful tradition.

My mum worked for the chaplaincy centre at HMNZS Philomel. She said it was not unusual to come into work or return from break to find a box containing an old sailor on her desk. Standard procedure was to give any cremains she had to the crew of the next ship heading out to sea, and they would perform the burial service in the outer Hauraki Gulf.

Truly touching. Nice job on this episode Sir!

Thank you for sharing. Very important to learn.

My father served in the navy during the Iraqi war, and chose ordnance as his role. I am incredibly grateful to be his son. Being 16 years old, I am a history fanatic and an American Patriot. To all my fellow veterans dead, or alive, Thank you for fighing for our independence and freedom. Your Sacrafices and bravery will NEVER be forgotten.

Thank you to all those that have served. It is our great honor to be able to provide this service.

I remember watching "The Enemy Below" as a kid, which ends with a burial at sea scene. I found the thought of that so sad and tragic that I went off to bed and sobbed myself to sleep...

this video was so informational and well put together thank you

Thanks for keeping the history alive.

That was a good video plain and simple. Very well done.

Well done. Very interesting

I love these videos

As the son of a UK Battle of the Atlantic veteran and Great Grandson of a sailor who was lost when his ship was sunk during the First World War I found it very moving and dignified. Especially the respect shown to the deceased Soviet submariners. This was a great presentation and I learned a few things that I never knew. I am glad that I came across it.

This is very beautiful and emotional

Wow thank you 🙏😊🙌🙌🔥🔥

I enjoyed this video thank you

Thank you for this.

Nice touch at the end. Doing the right thing when nobody's watching is the most important time to do the right thing. Well done, thank you!

When my youngest son was in the NAVY he was asked to participate in a burial at sea……I was so proud of him. What an honor to be asked.❤

So touching.

Thank you for pronouncing submariner correctly.

Honoring the Soviet Mariners in K-129 is the same thing that was done to a Japanese Kamikaze pilot that hit an American warship during WW2. They retrieved his remains then buried him at sea with full honors. For all that are & have served , my deepest thanks goes to you all.

Waoh Informative. Educative and Inspiring

All these ceremonial and traditional acts along with all the symbolism are touching 😭

Last clip is gold

Wow this was *Incredible* Ty NWYT

I visited the Arizona Memorial in HI in about 1970 and again in 1983. It is a beautiful Memorial and a very sobering experience to visit it. I saw a TV documentary just a couple of years ago, that showed divers taking down an urn to place in the special setting below the Arizona on the sea floor. It was surprising to me to see quite a few urns already down there! The divers made it look very special with their military procedure to place the urn. I was touched and glad I saw it. I felt emotional, when I visited the Arizona both times, as it is a somber experience to know that below where you are standing, reading the Memorial plaque, that the men who are below you in the water, made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to help keep our Country free. That was 83 year ago that the Arizona found her permanent grave there, and even if a soldier hid his age and enlisted at age 16, he would have been almost 100 years old now, so I doubt there are very many men left in the world who were in service on 12-7-1941, who are still alive now. But we thank and honor all our military warriors on November 11 each year, Veteran's Day, for their service to our Country. And we'll never forget them. That feeling of honoring our fallen warriors, was heavy and burned into my mind the day I visited Arlington National Cemetary many years ago. I remember being completely amazed at the rows and rows of white crosses for as far as you could see there -- extremely sobering to know what those crosses meant and still mean today! Bravo-Zulu ("well done") to all our fallen military! Also a thank you for those who are serving today, wherever they are!

Truly respected!

Very interesting!

I would like to see the background of one of the newer military last rites traditions. That being the tradition for paratrooper's ashes to be carried by a current paratrooper, out the door of an aircraft, and then for the ashes to be scattered on the drop zone.

Was not expecting to be bawling but here we are.. 🇨🇦🫂🇺🇸🫡🫡🫡

Speaking of the Arizona, we recently lost the last sailor. Don’t know if he’ll be buried in the BB, but whatever the occasion, the moment will be a solemn one.

Thank you, J.anderson

I had absolutely no idea this was something that could be done for previous veterans. ❤

I am an 80 year old ex Royal Navy Submarine Warrant Officer suffering with Terminal Cancer. I served for 32 years and was twice decorated by HM the Queen. It has been approved by the MOD that my ashes can be interned at sea with 2 members of my family in attendance. The only stipulation is that the internment has to happen in a specific location. I feel very privileged

@9:20 You have the 9th Fold listed twice, and no description of the 10th. Love your videos. @13:50 It's nice to be the bigger person. That behavior makes me proud of MY Naval Forces.

Thanks for sharing all this. I like the reef balls most. Being part of new life after the own has gone, is some kind of hope.

ty

Kings or pawns .. when the game is over, all of the pieces go back into the same box.

Would you please consider doing a video on Project Azorian?

How you treat your enemies (especially when dead) is a reflection of yourself.

😢wow didn’t expect to get emotional watching this. ❤❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

My Uncle was entitled to Burial at Sea and his wishes were fulfilled. He had once told me that the bottom of the sea was the most peaceful place on Earth. He said if you look at photos of The Titanic it is undisturbed and in peace, no storm can disturb its rest.

Conducted many burials at sea on the various ships I served on. First time was a full body casket burial off the coast of Virginia in 1983 from USS Semmes DDG 18.

I have done many burials at sea. I have always considered it o e of the highest honors a crew can do for our shipmates. Great video guys!

Spent 20 years in the Navy. I’ve preformed a casket and ashes burial. Very moving, something I’ll never forget. I do have photos of the burial.

This video is superb. So many interesting stories. Thank you. The spent shells from the funeral used for the video are of handgun caliber (.44 ?), please find .308 blank cases next time. My father was buried at Arlington, I still have the cases. "Beautiful" ceremony, befitting a Colonel. Great inclusions in the video, such as Lt. Armstrong's funeral (family was allowed on the ship), PO2 Deen, and the ice cream (must be eaten to make room in the freezer). Great video. Thanks.

Respect to anyone that served in the military 🎖

Respect.

I got to attend a Tiger Cruise with my father while he was active duty in the Navy on the USS Nimitz, during my stay I got to witness a burial at sea which I'm really thankful I could be a part of. I honestly won't ever forget it

I was part of a burial at sea ceremony on my ship :) a tremendous honor.

I think this story even tops the burial of the Soviet submariners: During WW2 a Japanese pilot crashed his plane on USS Missouri during battle. The USS Missouri’s commanding officer, Captain William M. Callaghan, issued an order that the pilot be given a military burial at sea the following morning. A Japanese flag, hastily-sewn and pieced together by Missouri crewmembers, was draped over the pilot’s body and as he was laid to rest, the Marine guard fired a traditional three-volley rifle salute, a bugler played “Taps” and the ship’s chaplain, Roland Faulk, concluded the brief ceremony with the words, “Commend his body to the deep.”

That is very respectful of the USN and I'm very proud and glad that they do this. Please rest in peace all who served and have gone to their Heavenly Home in the presence of God. Thank you for giving of yourselves for the greater of us all. 😢❤❤❤

surprised you didn't make a mention of the Japanese kamikaze that was burred at sea but the crew of the USS Missouri in WW2

The US Navy even did a burial at sea ceremony for a Japanese kamikaze pilot. His airplane hit the US Navy ship and his body popped out on to the deck. There wasn't much damage to the battleship so after the attack ended, they did damage repair to the ship and found the body. They figured the guy died for his country in battle like many US military did so the captain had a few of the crew stitch up a Japanese flag and the next day they buried the guy at sea - with a complete ceremony.

These sailors got the burials they deserved. As someone from a large family with many military and many sailors, I am very thankful for their service.

I saw someone posted a story last year of a ships captain insisted on a proper burial with IJN flag of a kamikaze pilot they found on deck after an attack. Honor even to the enemy or there will never be peace. Glad to see this video, service is not always about winning the conflict and has repercussions we do not always like.

I remember being buried at sea. It was 1993 - the cool water splashing along the iron hull as I plunged into the blue abyss. I looked up and saw the sun twinkling through the waves and I felt it was my mother’s face smiling down on me as she did when I was a child. I smelled vanilla ice cream and sprinkles and a muffled drum beckoning me into the sweet darkness.

The burials in the aircraft and those of the Soviet citizens were heartwarming to learn about.

I was on lookout on a carrier transiting from Bremerton, WA. back to San Diego. It took 5 days, so we let spouses ride along & we had a bunch of sea cadet or Boy Scout group on board. I was watching the flight deck when the chaplain (a Capt.) in his dress whites, walked to the port quarter along with 2 people (parents or children of deceased) carrying a box. He did a short service & opened that thing & he dumped it right onto an up draft. The ashes almost totally encapsulated him. I felt so sorry for all of them. I think just as much ash got back onto the flight deck (and on everyone there) as actually went into the ocean. I thought, "Note to self, if I EVER have to serve in a situation like this, try your best to do it over the fantail!"

My brother in law was buried at sea last year. RIP ATCS Rick Nelson, USN/RET.

I nearly cried while watching this

The story of the Hughes Glomar are incredible. The Soviets buried at sea, the cover story etc. nuts. Plus the “glomar response” is a staple

"niether a friends or foes, we will never forget the soldiers who sacrifice their life and blood for the sake of loyal to their countries." god bless us all"

Wow, the Arizona burial at sea cause the tears to flow. RIP Marine.

Wow !! This video was VERY , VERY interesting and informative! The Bible says , the sea shall give up the dead . I just feel bad for the families who couldn't receive their loved ones back . But I understand. To all who passed away while protecting our freedom, Rest in peace and Thank you for your service. ✝️🙏

@ 9:21 you made a slight mistake during the listing of the "flag fold" representations, you listed the same thing twice. You listed the 9th fold two times, leaving out the reason for the 10th fold... not sure if you caught this or not, not a big deal, just thought Id let you know, love the vids, keep em coming.

Thank you for this very informative video, I learned so much. Highest level of respect for our U.S. Military. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Nicely done . One small correction at 9:40, the sailors firing the rifles are the "honor guard", not a "firing squad"

I don't know why this video has me sobbing. I've no connection to any navy, nor am I American, but it has touched me deeply. May all committed to a watery grave rest in peace

Wow went to a military funeral yesterday.

Another lesser known site that this has taken place is on the sunken USS Utah on the opposite side of Ford Island from USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. USS Utah is one of three ships sunk at Pearl Harbor that never returned to service (USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma are the others,) and the only other ship besides USS Arizona that was left as a final resting place in the harbor. If I am not mistaken, only two of her crew were able to escape on that day of infamy, and have subsequently been returned to rest with their shipmates.

Wow.. Didn't feel likes cryin' tonight, 😥😭 but here we go. Respect 💯 & much 🤟 to all who have given the ultimate sacrifice. & 🤟 To their families.. 🥰🙏🍜

3:51 And that is the plot of "TWD: Dead in the water" in a nutshell for you.