Care and Disposition of Remains - Army Publishing Directorate ...

(5) Personal hygiene articles (shaving cream, razor toothbrush, cosmetics, and so forth),
(6) Electronic appliances and accessories (personal computer and related equipment, radio, televisions, compact
discs, video and audio tapes, and so forth),
(7) Tools,
(8) Household goods (furniture, major appliances, food, lawn care equipment, children’s toys, and so forth),
(9) Personal vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks.
(10) Hobby material, craft supplies, collections,
(11) Religious items, such as Bibles, Torahs, Korans, rosaries, menorahs, and so forth,
(12) sporting equipment,
(13) money,
b. PE do not include—
(1) Money on deposit with financial institutions,
(2) Investment accounts with brokerage agency,
(3) Real estate, improved or unimproved,
(4) Commercial business equipment, inventories, supplies, and vehicles,
(5) Government property issued, loaned, or leased to the deceased or missing person,
(6) Items commercially leased by the deceased or missing person,
(7) Pets, livestock, or other animals,
17–5. Ownership of PE
Neither Federal statute nor Army regulations purports to vest title to the PE in the PERE. Only the custody of the PE is
transferred from the Army to the PERE by the SCMO. Any question of title or ownership must be determined by
agreement among the interested parties or, if necessary, the civil courts in the State of the domicile of the deceased or
missing person.
17–6. Shipment of PE
The Army is responsible for providing transportation of PE as authorized by the JTR and JFTR. Transportation policy
and procedures are found in AR 55–71. The personal category and duty status of the decedent and the location of the
PE determines whether or not the PE can be transported at Government expense. For example, if a reservist died while
on Annual Training, Active Duty for Training, or Individual Duty for Training—
a. The decedent’s clothing, luggage, jewelry, and so forth found on the Army installation or facility could be
transported from the installation or facility to the PERE’s residence at Government expense.
b. The decedent’s household goods cannot be moved from the decedent’s off-post residence to the PERE’s residence
at Government expense.
17–7. Inquiries concerning lost or missing PE
a. Inquiries received by the SCMO from the PERE regarding lost or missing PE will be thoroughly investigated by
the SCMO. Upon completion of the investigation, the PERE will be provided a summary of the findings together with
information, if applicable, that a claim for the lost or missing PE may be filed with the nearest military claims office or
referred directly to the COMMANDER, U.S. ARMY CLAIMS SERVICE, FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD
20755–5360. Copies of the complete report of all actions taken in an effort to locate the PE and information provided
the eligible recipient will be sent to CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), Alexandria, VA 22331–0482.
b. Inquiries received by CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), from the PERE regarding lost or missing PE will be
sent to the SCMO appointing authority for investigation. The appointing authority will direct an appropriate investigation
and provide the results to CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), Alexandria, VA 22331–0482.
17–8. Disposition of PE files
Disposition of PE case files generated at all echelons will be conducted per AR 25–400–2, appendix B. When retired to
the records holding areas or records centers, these files will be clearly identified as PE and property case files of “
deceased” or “missing” personnel, as applicable.
Chapter 18
Summary Court Martial Officer
18–1. Summary court-martial officer
A SCMO for the disposition of PE is required by 10 USC 4712. This statute provides the Army’s authority to collect
and dispose of a deceased or missing person’s PE. A summary court-martial officer is required for—
a. A deceased soldier.
AR 638–2 • 22 December 2000
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