Battlefield Cross

[trin]

Is the rifle used in the Battlefield Cross only for combat deaths, or for any cause of death?

 

[Red Flag 1]

T

 

[trin]

I've seen that, but I've seen other articles that have other interpretations of the various parts of the display. Looking for something somewhat authoritative.

 

[digrar]

I thought this was going to be about the Long Tan Cross from Viet Nam. I might start a thread, it's back in the news.

 

[trin]

From Army FM 7-21.13 Appendix C (this is about as "official" as I've found so far):

Figure C-1. Fallen Soldier Display​

C-6. Most units prepare a visible reminder of the deceased soldier similar to that depicted in Figure C-1. The helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer, a break in the action to pay tribute to our comrade. The combat boots represent the final march of the last battle. The beret (in the case of soldiers from airborne units) reminds us that the soldier has taken part in his final jump.
:

 

[Marauder06]

We used that setup for anyone, even suicides in garrison. I think the "cause of death" thing is a myth, like the "raised horse legs indicate the way a rider died."