A government-furnished headstone carries a service member's story in just a few lines of stone or bronze — name, rank, branch, and the war they served in. Every word follows a specific order of precedence set by the National Cemetery Administration, and families often have more options for personalization than they realize.
Whether you are planning a military memorial for a recently deceased veteran or looking ahead to understand what a VA marker will include, this guide walks through the standard inscription format, branch-specific abbreviations, VA-approved emblems of belief, award designations, and the personal touches families can request. You will also find sample inscriptions organized by branch so you can picture exactly what your loved one's marker might say.
The VA follows a strict order of precedence for every government-furnished headstone and marker. Understanding this layout helps families know which elements are mandatory, which are optional, and where personal inscriptions fit.
Every VA-provided headstone or marker must include three pieces of information in this order:
1. Legal name — The veteran's full legal name or a recognized diminutive (Bob for Robert, Bill for William). Civilian titles such as "Doctor" or "Reverend" are not permitted on the mandatory name line but may appear as an additional inscription below.
2. Dates of birth and death — Year of birth and year of death at minimum. Full dates (month, day, year) may be included if space allows and the information is documented.
3. Branch of service — The military branch the veteran served in, spelled out or abbreviated according to NCA standards: US ARMY, US NAVY, US MARINE CORPS, US AIR FORCE, US COAST GUARD, or US SPACE FORCE.
Beyond the required lines, families may request the following (in order of precedence):
VA-approved emblem of belief — A religious or philosophical symbol placed at the top of an upright headstone or the left side of a flat marker. This is one of 98 approved emblems (covered in detail below).
Highest rank attained — The veteran's highest verified rank, using standard military abbreviations.
War service — Conflicts the veteran served in, such as WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN. Active duty dates must align with the recognized period of war or conflict.
Awards and decorations — Military awards may be inscribed if space is available and supporting documentation accompanies the application. The Medal of Honor insignia may also be engraved as a graphic element.
At the bottom of the headstone, families can request personal touches with VA approval:
Terms of endearment: "BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER," "OUR HERO," "LOVING MOTHER"
Nicknames in context: "OUR BELOVED POPPY," "KNOWN AS CHIEF"
Military unit affiliations: WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS, ARMY AIR CORPS, SEABEES, 101ST AIRBORNE
Professional titles: DOCTOR, REVEREND (as additional inscription, not on the name line)
All additional inscriptions are requested through Block 18 (or Block 27 for awards) on VA Form 40-1330 and are subject to VA approval. The inscription must be respectful and in good taste — the VA will reject anything that compromises the dignity of the cemetery.
The emblem of belief is an optional symbol placed on a government-furnished headstone or marker. It represents the veteran's sincerely held religious or philosophical belief during their lifetime. The National Cemetery Administration currently maintains 98 approved emblems.
The following emblems appear most frequently on military headstones across VA national cemeteries:
Latin (Christian) Cross — Emblem #1. The most widely requested emblem of belief, representing Christianity in its broadest form. Denominational variants are also available, including the Presbyterian Cross (#4), Lutheran Cross (#6), Episcopal Cross (#7), United Methodist Cross (#9), and Russian Orthodox Cross (#5).
Star of David — Emblem #3. Represents Judaism. One of the original emblems authorized alongside the Latin Cross following World War I.
Buddhist (Wheel of Dharma) — Emblem #2. Added in 1951, representing Buddhism. One of the earliest non-Abrahamic faith symbols authorized for military markers.
Muslim (Crescent and Star) — Emblem #17. Represents Islam. The Islamic 5-Pointed Star (#98) is a separate approved emblem for Muslim veterans who prefer that symbol.
Atheist — Emblem #16. An atomic whirl symbol representing atheism, available for veterans who held no religious belief.
The VA has expanded its emblem list significantly over the decades. Among the 98 options are symbols for Wiccan (#37, Pentacle), Sikh (#47, Khanda), Hindu (#38), Humanist (#54, Happy Human), and Native American Church of North America (#12). The Hammer of Thor (Mjölnir, #55) was approved in 2013 for veterans who followed Norse pagan traditions.
If a veteran's belief system does not appear among the 98 approved emblems, families can petition the VA to add a new one. The process requires submitting VA Form 40-1330 along with certification that the deceased sincerely held the belief, proof of immediate burial need, and a three-inch diameter black-and-white digital representation of the emblem that is free of copyright restrictions. The VA evaluates each request to ensure it upholds cemetery dignity and solemnity.
Families considering headstone emblems for a privately purchased marker have more flexibility — commercial bronze medallions can feature branch-specific emblems, service seals, and decorative motifs that government-furnished markers do not allow. For a closer look at those options, see our guide to headstone medallion and emblem display.
Rank inscriptions follow standardized abbreviations that differ by branch. Below are the most common rank abbreviations as they appear on VA headstones.
Abbreviation | Rank |
|---|---|
PVT | Private |
PFC | Private First Class |
CPL | Corporal |
SGT | Sergeant |
SSG | Staff Sergeant |
SFC | Sergeant First Class |
MSG | Master Sergeant |
1SG | First Sergeant |
SGM | Sergeant Major |
2LT | Second Lieutenant |
1LT | First Lieutenant |
CPT | Captain |
MAJ | Major |
LTC | Lieutenant Colonel |
COL | Colonel |
BG | Brigadier General |
MG | Major General |
LTG | Lieutenant General |
GEN | General |
Abbreviation | Rank |
|---|---|
SA | Seaman Apprentice |
SN | Seaman |
PO3 | Petty Officer Third Class |
PO2 | Petty Officer Second Class |
PO1 | Petty Officer First Class |
CPO | Chief Petty Officer |
SCPO | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
MCPO | Master Chief Petty Officer |
ENS | Ensign |
LTJG | Lieutenant Junior Grade |
LT | Lieutenant |
LCDR | Lieutenant Commander |
CDR | Commander |
CAPT | Captain |
RADM | Rear Admiral |
VADM | Vice Admiral |
ADM | Admiral |
Marine Corps abbreviations largely mirror Army conventions: PVT, PFC, LCPL (Lance Corporal), CPL, SGT, SSGT (Staff Sergeant), GYSGT (Gunnery Sergeant), MSGT (Master Sergeant), 1STSGT (First Sergeant), MGYSGT (Master Gunnery Sergeant), SGTMAJ (Sergeant Major). Officer ranks follow the same pattern as Army abbreviations.
Air Force enlisted abbreviations include AB (Airman Basic), AMN (Airman), A1C (Airman First Class), SRA (Senior Airman), SSGT (Staff Sergeant), TSGT (Technical Sergeant), MSGT (Master Sergeant), SMSGT (Senior Master Sergeant), and CMSGT (Chief Master Sergeant). Officer abbreviations follow the Army pattern. Space Force uses its own guardian ranks but shares the abbreviation format.
When a veteran served during a recognized period of war, the conflict name may be inscribed on the headstone. The VA recognizes the following conflicts:
WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF WAR (including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), IRAQ (including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn), AFGHANISTAN (Operation Enduring Freedom), and GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
Active duty dates must align with the VA-defined period of the conflict. Veterans who served during peacetime will not have a war service designation, though their branch and dates of service are still inscribed.
Military awards and decorations add another layer of honor to a veteran's headstone. The most significant awards that appear on government-furnished markers include:
Medal of Honor (MOH) — The nation's highest military decoration. The Medal of Honor insignia can be engraved as a graphic element on the headstone, one of the few graphics permitted alongside emblems of belief.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) / Navy Cross (NC) / Air Force Cross (AFC) — The second-highest military decoration for each respective branch.
Silver Star (SS) — Awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy.
Bronze Star Medal (BSM) — Awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement in a combat zone.
Purple Heart (PH) — Awarded to service members wounded or killed in action. Among the most frequently inscribed awards on veteran headstones.
Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) — Recognizing infantry service in active ground combat.
Supporting documentation (typically the DD-214 discharge papers) must be provided with VA Form 40-1330 when requesting award inscriptions. Awards not listed in Block 8 of the form can be requested in Block 27, and the VA will include them if space permits and documentation supports the request.
These examples reflect the standard inscription format on VA-provided upright marble headstones. Each follows the order of precedence from emblem to personal inscription.
✝ (Latin Cross)
ROBERT JAMES MARTINEZ
SGT
US ARMY
VIETNAM
PURPLE HEART
MAY 12 1948
NOVEMBER 3 2024
BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER
ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS
✡ (Star of David)
DAVID AARON GOLDSTEIN
CDR
US NAVY
PERSIAN GULF WAR
JUNE 8 1960
MARCH 22 2025
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS
✝ (Latin Cross)
MICHAEL THOMAS O'BRIEN
GYSGT
US MARINE CORPS
IRAQ
AFGHANISTAN
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
PURPLE HEART
OCTOBER 14 1978
JANUARY 9 2025
SEMPER FIDELIS
☸ (Buddhist Wheel)
JAMES WILLIAM CHEN
TSGT
US AIR FORCE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
FEBRUARY 20 1985
AUGUST 15 2025
GUARDIAN OF THE SKIES
✝ (Latin Cross)
SARAH ANN DOUGLAS
PO1
US COAST GUARD
PERSIAN GULF WAR
APRIL 3 1965
DECEMBER 28 2024
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO DUTY
LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER
For ideas beyond the standard military format — literary quotes, scripture passages, or poetic phrases — our headstone engraving design ideas guide covers a wide range of options that work well on privately purchased markers.
The inscription options available to families depend on whether the headstone is a government-furnished marker or a privately purchased memorial.
VA-provided headstones follow the strict format outlined above. No custom graphics, logos, or photographs are permitted — only approved emblems of belief, the Medal of Honor insignia, the Civil War Union Shield, and the Confederate Southern Cross of Honor. All text must be in English using Latin alphabet characters and numerals. The VA handles production and shipping at no cost to the family, though private cemetery setting fees are the family's responsibility.
Families exploring the full range of VA-provided and purchased options should review our comparison of veteran grave marker options, which covers material choices, size options, and cost considerations for both paths.
When families purchase a headstone independently — whether to complement a VA marker or as the primary memorial — the inscription options expand significantly. Private markers can include:
Branch-specific seals and emblems (Army Eagle, Marine Corps Eagle Globe and Anchor, Navy Anchor)
Laser-etched photographs of the veteran
Custom artwork, unit crests, and campaign ribbons
Longer personal inscriptions without character limits
Multiple font styles and engraving techniques
Privately purchased military grave markers for veterans in bronze offer exceptional durability and detail for outdoor memorial use. Bronze markers can incorporate raised-relief branch emblems and intricate lettering that marble and granite government markers cannot replicate.
Military headstones are more than a record of service — they anchor a tradition of ongoing remembrance. Visitors to veterans' graves often observe customs that have been passed down through generations of military families.
The practice of leaving coins and tributes on military graves is one of the most recognized. Each coin denomination carries a specific meaning: a penny signals a visit from someone who respected the veteran's service, while a quarter indicates the visitor was present when the service member died. These small tokens create a visible connection between the living and the fallen.
Beyond coins, military grave traditions include placing challenge coins, small stones, flowers, and miniature flags at the headstone. On Memorial Day, volunteers place American flags at every veteran's grave in national cemeteries — a practice formalized through the "Flags In" tradition at Arlington National Cemetery. For families exploring the full scope of engraving traditions beyond military markers, our memorial engraving guide covers inscription approaches for every memorial type.
Requesting a government-furnished headstone or marker involves a straightforward application process.
Step 1: Gather discharge documents. The veteran's DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the primary document needed to verify eligibility, rank, awards, and service dates.
Step 2: Complete VA Form 40-1330. This is the official Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker. The form collects personal information, military service details, inscription preferences, emblem of belief selection, and cemetery information.
Step 3: Submit the application. If the burial is in a national or state veterans' cemetery, cemetery officials typically handle the ordering process. For private cemeteries, the next of kin or authorized representative mails or faxes the form directly to the VA.
Step 4: Await processing and shipment. The VA manufactures and ships the headstone or marker at no charge. Setting fees at private cemeteries are the family's responsibility.
For veterans who chose cremation and are memorialized in a columbarium, bronze niche markers (8.5 × 5.5 inches) are available. Veterans whose remains were not recovered, who were buried at sea, or who donated their remains to science can receive a memorial headstone inscribed with "IN MEMORY OF" above the standard inscription.
Yes, but with limitations. Personal inscriptions go at the bottom of the marker and must be requested through VA Form 40-1330. The VA approves inscriptions that are respectful and in good taste. Lengthy quotes, poems, or scripture passages may not fit depending on the marker type — upright marble headstones offer more space than flat granite or bronze markers.
One emblem of belief per headstone or marker. If a veteran held beliefs represented by multiple emblems, the family must choose one. For headstones already in place, the VA will not add or change the emblem without a new application.
Yes. Many families place a privately purchased headstone as the primary memorial and use the VA-provided flat marker as a footstone or companion piece. The VA will furnish a marker for eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990, even if the grave is already marked with a private headstone. Check with your cemetery regarding placement rules.
If discharge documents are unavailable (such as those lost in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire), alternative documentation may be accepted. Contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for reconstructed records or submit available evidence with the VA Form 40-1330 for review.
The VA permits non-English text about the veteran as an additional inscription, provided it uses characters of the Latin alphabet and/or numerals. Non-Latin scripts (such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Chinese characters) are not permitted on government-furnished markers.
