Another veterans’ headstone question…

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

What might be the reason for headstones like these?  Might they be aircrews who perished together and the remains are mingled?  How does the graves department decide whose town receives the remains?

 

Theres a cemetery near our house and I often walk Jack while pondering the history of those interred. These three stones were in an area we hadn’t explored yet. 
 

Any insight is much appreciated. 

 

 

 

[PowderRiverCowboy]

Cenotaphs usually no bodies  unless a mass grave 

 

[PowderRiverCowboy]

[PowderRiverCowboy]

Bottom one has stories of survivors
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-31857/ 

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

17 hours ago, PowderRiverCowboy said:

Cenotaphs usually no bodies  unless a mass grave 

 

 

I'm thinking that the 2nd marker might be the crew of a tank that got hit and the remains were so co-mingled that it was impossible to separate them.

[Sagebrush Burns, SASS # 14226]

Perhaps all in the same plane?