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Obituary for a Veteran

Honouring a veteran's life means honouring both their service and the person they were beyond the uniform. Here are two military obituary examples plus guidance on how to write one that feels truthful and respectful.

Example 1: Army veteran, traditional tone

Sample obituary — fictional

James Robert Walsh, 76, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on February 3rd, 2025. He served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971, including a tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

After his military service, James returned to Texas and built a career as an electrician. He married Patricia Mills in 1973, and together they raised three children. He was a man of few words but steady presence — the kind of father who showed up, who fixed things, who taught by doing.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Michael, Sarah, and David; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas Walsh.

A funeral service with military honours will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15th, at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Example 2: Navy veteran, warmer tone

Sample obituary — fictional

Dorothy "Dottie" Marie Chen, 82, of San Diego, California, passed away peacefully on January 28th, 2025. She enlisted in the United States Navy in 1962 and served as a hospital corpsman until 1966. She often said that her time in the Navy taught her that she could do anything she set her mind to — and she spent the next six decades proving it.

Dottie went on to earn her nursing degree and spent forty years caring for patients at Scripps Memorial Hospital. She married Robert Chen in 1968 and became a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and the person everyone called when they needed advice, a casserole, or someone to laugh with.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Lisa and Kevin; five grandchildren; and her sister, Helen. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held on February 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the San Diego Veterans Museum. Donations in her memory may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

What to include in a veteran's obituary

Branch and years of service. Include the branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), dates of service, and any notable deployments or roles.

Decorations and honours. If you know them, include medals (Bronze Star, Purple Heart, etc.), rank at discharge, and units served.

The person beyond the uniform. Service is one chapter. Include family, career after service, hobbies, and the qualities that made them who they were.

Funeral with military honours. Many veterans qualify for military honours at burial. Mention if your service will include them and where donations can be made (e.g. VFW, Wounded Warrior Project).

Full checklist: what to include in an obituary →

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