April 12, 2024
Memorial Certificate
Memorial Certificate - Description
A memorial certificate is an embossed document issued by a country’s president in memory of a deceased veteran. The certificate honors the veteran’s memory and conveys gratitude for the veteran’s service.
Memorial Certificate - History
The earliest known memorial certificates commemorate soldiers who died in the American Civil War. In addition, individual certificates, which varied in style and content, were also awarded to honor the deceased.
Memorial certificates were also issued for members of the Armed Services who died during World War I. These memorial certificates feature a uniform format and style. The certificates contain detailed information about the place of enlistment, the division in which they served, and locations of service.
Memorial certificates were also issued for fallen service members during World War II by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and later by President Harry S. Truman. These certificates include a colorful United States seal.
The official Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) program was established in 1962 under President John F. Kennedy. These memorial certificates employ different language than the earlier certificates. Every subsequent U.S. President has continued the program, though many have used autopens to sign the letters for expediency. These certificates are embossed with a gold United States seal.
One significant difference between the earlier memorial certificates and the later PMCs is that the earlier certificates were issued only to Armed Services members who died in training or in combat. In contrast, the PMC program awards memorial certificates to all American veterans upon their deaths.
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Memorial Certificate - Identification & Value
Memorial certificates are easily identified. The Presidential Memorial Certificates feature a unique and uniform aesthetic. They contain the embossed gold seal of the United States along with a presidential signature. They also include the following language in a cursive font: “The United States of America honors the memory of [veteran’s name]. This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”
The earlier memorial certificates are less elaborate and may be harder to recognize as memorial certificates. They are written in common typewriter font below the standard United States seal. The names of the deceased veterans appear in an Old English-style font. Memorial certificates issued before 1962 contain the following language: “In grateful memory of [deceased’s name] who died in the service of his country at [location and date]. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.” The certificate includes the signature of either President Roosevelt or President Truman.
Besides the United States, other countries such as Great Britain, Canada, and Spain have also issued memorial certificates to honor fallen soldiers. In addition, memorial certificates were sometimes issued by allied countries such as France to honor American soldiers who died.
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Memorial Certificate - Symbols
World War I memorial certificates feature the United States eagle symbol against the backdrop of draped American flags. World War II certificates contain the full-color seal of the United States of America. Presidential Memorial Certificates include the gold, embossed seal of the United States of America.
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Relevant Books, Paper & Magazines Articles
Further Reading on Memorial Certificate
Books and Periodicals
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors by The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA: History, Heritage, Highlights by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Web Resources
Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) myarmybenefits.us.army.mil.
Presidential Memorial Certificates www.cem.va.gov.
The Story of NCA’s Presidential Memorial Certificate news.va.gov.
Related Dictionary Pages: Membership Certificate, Reward of Merit, Birth and Baptismal Certificates.