Section IV

PRESENTATION OF DECORATIONS

Presentation of decorations

Paragraph

14

14. Presentation of decorations.-a. A review is ordinarily held on occasions of the presentation of the Medal of honor, the Distinguished-service medal, the Distinguished-service cross, or the decoration of the colors.

b. After the reviewing officer has passed around the line and resumed his post, the commanding officer of the troops from his post commands, orders, or signals: 1. Persons to be decorated and all colors, 2. MARCH. At the command March, persons to be decorated and all colors move by the most direct route and take post as follows:

(1) The persons to be decorated in single rank in the center of the command and 10 paces in front of the line of company commanders in groups according to rank of decorations; within each group according to rank of individuals, highest ranking decoration and individual on the right, respectively.

(2) Colors to be decorated in single rank 5 paces in front of the center of the line of persons to be decorated in groups according to rank of decoration to be bestowed, highest ranking decoration on the right.

(3) All other colors with color guards in single rank 5 paces in rear of the center of the persons to be decorated and in the same relative position as their location in the command.

(4) The commanding officer of the troops takes post 5 paces in front of the center of the leading element. He then commands: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH. At the command March, the commanding officer, the person to be decorated, and the colors advance, the band playing. The commanding office of the troops marches on the reviewing officer. In all ranks the guide is center. The detachment is halted by the commanding officer of the troops when he has reached a point 10 paces from the reviewing officer by the command: 1. Detachment, 2. HALT. He then salutes the reviewing officer and reports "Sir, the persons (colors) to be decorated are present." The reviewing officer returns the salute and directs that the command be presented. The commander of the troops returns to his post in front of the center of his command by moving around the right flank of the persons or post he commands: 1. Present, 2. ARMS, faces about and salutes. The band then plays The National Anthem. If only field music is present, it sounds To the Color. On completion of the music, the commanding officer of the troops brings the command to the order. The persons to be decorated salute and terminate the salute at the commands Present arms and Order arms, respectively, of the commanding officer of the troops.

c. A designated staff officer then reads the order announcing the awards. After the reading of the order, the reviewing officer, accompanied if necessary by his staff or designated members thereof, advances to the colors and to the line of persons to be decorated and fastens the appropriate streamer to the staff of the color, and pins the decoration awarded on the left breast of each person. He then directs the commanding officer of the troops to march the command in review and resumes his post. The persons decorated form line on the left of the reviewing officer or as otherwise directed, and the colors return to their posts by the most direct route.

d. Foreign decorations will be presented by means of a similar ceremony.

15. Escort of the color.-a. (1) The regiment being in line of battalions in column of close columns, the regimental commander details a company, other than the color company, to receive and escort the national color to its place. During the ceremony the regimental color remains with the color guard at its post with the regiment.

(2) The band moves straight to its front until clear of the line of field officers, changes direction to the right, and halts. The designated company forms column of platoons 15 paces in rear of the band with the color bearer in the line of file closers of the center platoon.

(3) The escort then marches, without music, to the regimental commander's office or quarters and forms in line facing the entrance.

(4) The color bearer, preceded by the senior lieutenant and followed by a sergeant of the escort, obtains the color.

(5) When the color bearer returns, followed by the lieutenant and the sergeant, he halts before the entrance, facing the escort. The lieutenant places himself on the right, and the sergeant on the left, of the color bearer. The escort then presents arms, and the field music sounds To the Color. The lieutenant and the sergeant salute at the command of the company commander.

(6) Arms are brought to the order; the lieutenant and the sergeant return to their posts. The company is formed in column of platoons, the band taking post in front of the column. The color bearer places himself in the center of the interval in rear of the center platoon. The escort then marches in quick time, with guide left, back to the regiment, the band playing. The march is conducted so that the escort arrives at a point 50 paces in front of the right of the regiment, and then passes parallel to its front. When the color arrives opposite the center of the regiment, the escort is formed in line to the left. The color bearer, passing between the platoons, advances and halts 6 paces in front of the regimental commander.

(7) The color bearer having halted, the regimental commander, who prior to the arrival of the color bearer has taken post 30 paces in front of the center of the regiment, turns about and commands: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. The regimental commander then turns to the front and salutes. The field music sounds To the Color when the regimental commander salutes.

(8) The regimental commander then turns about and brings the regiment to the order and the color bearer takes post with the color company.

(9) The escort executes present and order arms at the command of its commander, who then forms it in column of platoons, and preceded by the band marches it to its place, passing around the left flank of the regiment. (10) The band plays until the escort passes the left of the line. It then returns to its post on the right, passing in rear of the regiment.

(11) The regiment may be brought to rest when the escort passes the left of the line.

b. Escort of the color is executed by a battalion according to the same principles.

16. Escorts of honor.-a. Escorts of honor are detailed for the purpose of receiving and escorting personages of high rank, civil or military. The troops detailed for his duty are selected for their soldierly appearance and superior discipline.

b. The escort forms in line, opposite the place where the personage is to present himself, the band on the flank of the escort toward which it is to march. On the appearance of the personage, the honors due his rank are rendered. The escort then forms column of platoons or squads and takes up the march. The personage with his staff or retinue takes position in rear of the column. When the personage leaves the escort, line is again formed, and the same honors rendered as on his arrival.

c. When the position of the escort is at a considerable distance from the point where the personage is to be received, as for instance where a courtyard or wharf intervenes, a double line of sentinels, facing inward, is posted from that point to the escort. The sentinels successively salute as the personage passes and then are relieved and join the escort.

d. An officer is designated to attend the personage and bear such message as he may desire to send to the commander of the escort.

17.-Funeral escort.-a. (1) The composition and strength of the escort are prescribed in Army Regulations.

(2) The escort is formed opposite the place where the body of the deceased rests, the band on the flank of the escort toward which it is to march. (3) Upon the appearance of the casket, the commander commands: 1. Present, 2. ARMS, and the band plays an appropriate air. At the conclusion of the music, arms are brought to the order. Other organizations are brought to attention by their commanders, who then salute.

(4) The escort forms column of platoons or squads. Escort of the strength of a platoon or less may form line.

(5) The procession forms in the following order: 1. Music, 2. Escort, 3. Clergy, 4. Casket and pallbearers, 5. Mourners, 6. Members of the former command of the deceased, 7. Other officers and soldiers, 8. Distinguished persons, 9. Delegations, 10. Societies, 11. Civilians. Officers and soldiers are in order of rank, seniors in front.

(6) When the procession has been formed, the band and the escort are put in march by the commander of the escort. Elements in rear conform. (7) The procession marches slowly to solemn music.

(8) When the column arrives at the burial ground, the escort is formed in line facing the grave. The remaining elements are conducted as close as practicable to the grave. When the casket is removed from the caisson or hearse the escort presents arms and the band plays an appropriate air. The casket is carried along the front of the escort and placed over the grave. When the casket is placed over the grave the escort is brought to the order and the band ceases playing.

(9) The commander of the escort then commands: 1. Parade, 2. REST. the escort executes parade rest, with the officers and men inclining the head. Other organizations present execute the same movement at the command of their commanders. They resume the attention in a similar manner.

(10) When the funeral services are completed and the casket lowered into the grave, the commander causes the escort to resume attention, to elevate the muzzles of the pieces and to fire three volleys of blank cartridges. (See TR 50-20, chapter VI.) When the escort is larger than a company, one company is designated to fire the volleys.

(11) A bugler then sounds taps.

(12) The band and the escort are then put in march in quick time by the commander of the escort. Elements in rear conform. The band does not play until it has left the inclosure.

(13) When the distance to the place of interment is considerable, the escort, after leaving camp or garrison, may march at ease in quick time until it approaches the burial ground, when it is brought to attention. The band does not play while the troops are marching at ease.

(14) The field music may alternate with the band in playing.

b. At the funeral of a person entitled to the honor, when arms are presented, the band plays the prescribed national air, or the field music sounds To the Color, a march, flourishes, or ruffles, according to the rank of the deceased. On conclusion of the musical honors, the band plays an appropriate air.

c. At the funeral of a mounted officer or soldier, his horse, in mourning caparison, follows the hearse or caisson.

d. Should the entrance of the cemetery prevent the hearse or caisson from accompanying the escort to the grave, the column is halted at the entrance long enough to take the casket from the hearse or caisson, when the troops are again put in march.

e. When necessary to escort the remains to a place where they are to rest before the funeral service, arms are presented upon receiving the remains and also as they are borne into the church or other place of rest.

f. Prior to the funeral the necessary arrangements are made by the commander of the escort or a designated officer and the celrgyman.

g. At a military funeral, all persons in the military service in uniform or civilian clothes, attending in their individual capacity, will stand at attention uncovered and hold the headdress over the left breast, while the casket is being carried to and lowered into the grave, while taps is being sounded, and during the services at the grave. During the prayer they also bow their heads. In inclement weather the headdress may be raised and held over the head.

Chapter XIV

Guard Duty

PART I-Interior Guard Duty, T. R. 135-15.

PART II-Ceremony of Guard Mounting, T. R. 135-5...

Part I

INTERIOR GUARD DUTY

Page

281

309

VIII. Compliments, salutes, raising and lowering the flag.

45-48

1. Definitions.-a. Wherever the term "post," other than in the sense of a sentinel's post, is used, it will be construed to include garrison, station, or camp.

b. Wherever the word "company" is used, it will be construed to include troop, battery, or similarly organized units.

c. Wherever the term "guardhouse" is used, it will be construed to include guard tent or any other designated location for the guard.

2. Purpose. Interior guards are used in posts to preserve order, protect property, and enforce police regulations.

3. Classification. The various elements of an interior guard classified according to their purposes and the manner in which they perform their duties, are as follows: a. The main guard.

b. Special guards: Stable guards, park guards, prisoner guards, herd guards, train guards, boat guards, watchmen, etc.

4. Composition.-a. An interior guard will be of such strength as the commanding officer may direct. It will be supervised by the officer of the day and commanded by the officer of the guard next in rank to the officer of the day, or by the senior noncommissioned officer of the guard if there be no officer of the guard. In large commands where there is more than one guard a field officer of the day may be detailed to supervise them.