''We Will Never Forget''

Dover Mortuary Uniform Preparation Section

When Dover Mortuary Affairs is notified a fallen warrior is coming in, they start getting things ready for their uniform such as name tag and ribbons. Once they are here, we take their measurements. Then we purchase a uniform/or suit (whichever is requested). Once they are dressed, we inspect the uniform again to make sure everything is correct. It is our responsibility to make sure that each fallen warrior's uniform is in immaculate condition before they go home.

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The Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, a $30 million, 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility became home to the mortuary in November 2003. The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations programs are streamlined into a unit that provides a single voice to Air Force Families, Air Force leadership, sister services and the joint community on all mortuary matters.

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In 2003, the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs replaced the 48 year old Dover Port Mortuary facility that had been in use since 1955. The center is named after Charles C. Carson, Sr. (Aug. 19, 1925-Aug. 8, 2002), a civilian mortician for the U.S. Air Force. Early in the Vietnam War, Carson covered mortuary affairs in Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He also administered mortuary contracts in New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia. Carson supervised mortuary preparation of remains in every major disaster involving American military and civilian personnel since 1971.

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n August 1970, Carson was assigned to Dover Air Force Base a mortuary inspector and was promoted to chief port mortuary officer a year later. Charles C. Carson applied his skills in a number of disasters, including the Tet Offensive in Vietnam and the Jonestown cult mass suicide in Guyana, Tenerife-Canary Islands at the request of the State Department; and he served as technical advisor to the Wing and Group Commanders for mortuary affairs. Carson also supervised the processing of the remains of victims in the NASA Challenger mission and Operation Desert Storm as well as the airplane disaster that claimed the life of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown.

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Charles C. Carson retired in 1996 and died Aug. 8, 2002.

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This memorial wall is located in the atrium of the Charles C. Carson<br />Center for Mortuary Affairs. It commemorates events that the port mortuary<br />has supported with dignity, honor and respect through the years, to include<br />the NASA Challenger incident and Operation Enduring Freedom.

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This memorial wall is located in the atrium of the Charles C. Carson
Center for Mortuary Affairs. It commemorates events that the port mortuary
has supported with dignity, honor and respect through the years, to include
the NASA Challenger incident and Operation Enduring Freedom.

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When Dover Mortuary Affairs is notified a fallen warrior is coming in, they start getting things<br />ready for their uniform such as name tag and ribbons. Once they are here, we take their measurements. Then we purchase a uniform/or suit (whichever is requested). Once they are dressed, we inspect the uniform again to make sure everything is correct. It is our responsibility to make sure that each fallen warrior's uniform is in immaculate condition before they go home.

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When Dover Mortuary Affairs is notified a fallen warrior is coming in, they start getting things
ready for their uniform such as name tag and ribbons. Once they are here, we take their measurements. Then we purchase a uniform/or suit (whichever is requested). Once they are dressed, we inspect the uniform again to make sure everything is correct. It is our responsibility to make sure that each fallen warrior's uniform is in immaculate condition before they go home.