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Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs

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Department of Veteran Affairs
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (USM)
since May 23, 2024
National Cemetery Administration
StyleThe Honorable
Reports toSecretary of Veterans Affairs
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Constituting instrument§ 1000 of the National Cemeteries Act, Pub. L. 93–43, S. 49, 87 Stat. 75, enacted June 18, 1973, as amended
PrecursorDirector of the National Cemetery System
FormationMarch 15, 1989 as Under Secretary
DeputyPrincipal Deputy Under Secretary
SalaryExecutive Schedule, Level III
($187,300 USD (2022))

The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is a senior position within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that directs the National Cemetery Administration, which maintains 150 national cemeteries and provides burial services for veterans of the United States military and eligible family members.

The Under Secretary is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

On April 19, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Matthew T. Quinn to become the next Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs. Quinn was confirmed by the Senate on June 17, 2021, by voice vote.[1] He was sworn into office on June 23, 2021 by Secretary Denis McDonough.[2] Quinn resigned in May 2024 and was succeeded by acting secretary Ronald E. Walters.[3]

History and responsibilities

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In addition to the maintenance and operation of national cemeteries, the Under Secretary is also responsible for their land acquisition, design, and construction. Other memorial programs overseen by the Under Secretary include the provision of headstones, markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates—engraved paper certificates signed by the current president—to honor deceased veterans' service. The Under Secretary also administers federal grants to help states establish state veterans' cemeteries.[4]

The position was created by the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, which was signed by President Clinton on November 11, 1998. As a result of the Act, the organization led by a Director, the National Cemetery System, evolved from an agency into an administration led by an Under Secretary when it was renamed to the National Cemetery Administration.[5] From April 1998 to early September 2000, a series of Acting Directors and Acting Under Secretaries headed the Administration. Two of these were Roger R. Rapp and Mike Walker, with the latter later being confirmed by the United States Senate.[6][7] They were followed by Under Secretaries Robin Higgins and John W. Nicholson.[8]

List of Under Secretaries for Memorial Affairs

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Originally, the position was Chief Memorial Affairs Director and then director of the National Cemetery System.[9]

Public Law 105-368 (November 11, 1998) changed the National Cemetery System, headed by a Director, to the National Cemetery Administration, headed by the Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs.[9]

The following individuals served as director or under secretary:[9]

Portrait Secretary Took office Left office Notes
Rufus Harold Wilson February 8, 1974 January 23, 1975
John W. Mahan January 23, 1975 January 28, 1977 acting director from August 1973 – January 1977
Carl Thomas Noll May 9, 1977 January 27, 1981 died in office
Paul Takeo Bannai December 7, 1981 September 30, 1985
Wilfred Louis Ebel July 1987 April 1989
Jo Ann Krukar Webb October 10, 1989 November 1991
Allen B. Clark, Jr. November 22, 1991 January 19, 1993
Jerry Wayne Bowen May 20, 1993 April 3, 1998
Robert "Mike" Walker September 8, 2000 January 2001
Robin L. Higgins May 24, 2001 September 1, 2002
John W. "Jack" Nicholson April 11, 2003 January 19, 2005
William F. Tuerk October 28, 2005 January 19, 2009
Steve L. Muro June 6, 2011 June 22, 2014 was acting under secretary from January 19, 2009 until appointed as permanent under secretary
Randy Reeves December 13, 2017 January 20, 2021
Ronald E. Walters January 20, 2021 June 23, 2021 acting under secretary
Matthew T. Quinn June 23, 2021 May 23, 2024
Ronald E. Walters May 23, 2024 Present acting under secretary

References

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  1. ^ "PN399 - Nomination of Matthew T. Quinn for Department of Veterans Affairs, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  2. ^ National Cemeteries @VANatCemeteries. ""Welcome to NCA Matt Quinn!"". Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  3. ^ Shane, Leo. "VA chief of staff stepping down from leadership post next month". Military Times. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  4. ^ "US CODE: Title 38,2400. Establishment of National Cemetery Administration; composition of Administration". Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  5. ^ "getdoc.cgi" (PDF). Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  6. ^ "Former Directors and Undersecretaries for Memorial Affairs, 1973 – 2005 – Burial & Memorials". Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  7. ^ "VA Testimony of Roger Rapp before Congress on May 20, 1999 – Congressional and Legislative Affairs". Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  8. ^ "Former Directors & Under Secretaries for Memorial Affairs, 1973 – 2005 – Burial & Memorials". Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c Former Directors & Under Secretaries for Memorial Affairs, 1973–Present. United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
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