The United States government does not breathe without a piece of paper and the issuance of the tombstone for a veteran was no exception. If you’ve found a military stone for your ancestor, there may be a record of the issuance of that stone. There are two databases on FamilySearch created from National Archives microfilm that may be helpful: United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903 (not just Civil War veterans as some claim) United States Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1949 The later set is more detailed.
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