Santa Fe National Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Santa Fe National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery
in the city of Santa Fe
, in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
. It encompasses 78.6 acres (318,083.2 m²), and as of the end of 2005, had 39,695 interments. It is one of only two national cemeteries in New Mexico (the other being Fort Bayard National Cemetery
).
, the cemetery was created after the war to inter the Union
soldiers who died fighting there, primarily at the Battle of Glorieta Pass
. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
donated the land to the federal government in 1870. In 1876 its status was changed to a post cemetery, but in 1885 it became a national cemetery once again.
United States National Cemetery
"United States National Cemetery" is a designation for 146 nationally important cemeteries in the United States. A National Cemetery is generally a military cemetery containing the graves of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their spouses but not exclusively so...
in the city of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.2% White*0.9% Black*3.1% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*14.9% Other races*50.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. It encompasses 78.6 acres (318,083.2 m²), and as of the end of 2005, had 39,695 interments. It is one of only two national cemeteries in New Mexico (the other being Fort Bayard National Cemetery
Fort Bayard National Cemetery
Fort Bayard National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the Fort Bayard Historic District, near Silver City, New Mexico. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 3,732 interments...
).
History
Though New Mexico only played a small part in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the cemetery was created after the war to inter the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
soldiers who died fighting there, primarily at the Battle of Glorieta Pass
Battle of Glorieta Pass
The Battle of Glorieta Pass, fought from March 26 to 28, 1862 in northern New Mexico Territory, was the decisive battle of the New Mexico Campaign during the American Civil War. Dubbed the "Gettysburg of the West" by some historians, it was intended as the killer blow by Confederate forces to break...
. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the southwestern region of the United States in the state of New Mexico. While the motherchurch, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, is in the City of Santa Fe, its administrative center is in...
donated the land to the federal government in 1870. In 1876 its status was changed to a post cemetery, but in 1885 it became a national cemetery once again.
Notable monuments
- A memorial made of granite and bronze dedicated to World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Glider Pilots, erected in 1994. - A memorial to "Women Who Served in the Navy" erected in 1995.
- The China-Burma-India Veterans Memorial, dedicated to World War II veterans, erected in 2002.
Notable interments
- Captain George Nicholas BascomGeorge Nicholas BascomGeorge Nicholas Bascom U. S. Army officer, in Arizona and in the American Civil War.George N. Bascom was born in Owingsville in Bath County, Kentucky. Bascom was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated 26th in a class of27 in 1858...
, Union officer killed in the Battle of Val Verde in 1862. - Governor Charles BentCharles BentCharles Bent was appointed as the first Governor of the newly acquired New Mexico Territory by Governor Stephen Watts Kearny in September 1846....
, first American governor of New Mexico TerritoryNew Mexico Territorythumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
. - First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.Alexander Bonnyman, Jr.Alexander "Sandy" Bonnyman, Jr. was a United States Marine Corps officer who was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa during World War II...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of TarawaBattle of TarawaThe Battle of Tarawa, code named Operation Galvanic, was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region....
during World War II. - Watertender Edward A. Clary, Medal of Honor recipient for peace time service on board USS HopkinsUSS Hopkins (DD-6)|-References:...
- Lieutenant Colonel José Francisco ChavesJosé Francisco ChavesJosé Francisco Chaves was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and farmer from the New Mexico Territory.-Biography:...
, Union ArmyUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, U.S. Representative from the New Mexico TerritoryNew Mexico Territorythumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
, assassinated. - Charles Anthony Mueller WWII bombardier, invnentor
- Private Edwin L. ElwoodEdwin L. ElwoodEdwin L. Elwood was an American soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in Arizona Territory during the Indian WarsIndian WarsAmerican Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. - Specialist Four Daniel D. Fernandez, Medal of Honor recipient for action during the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. - Corporal Jacob Guenther, Medal of Honor recipient for action in Arizona Territory during the Indian WarsIndian WarsAmerican Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. - Major General Patrick J. HurleyPatrick J. HurleyPatrick Jay Hurley was an American soldier, statesman, and diplomat....
, World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II veteran, U.S. Ambassador to China from (1944-45), and Secretary of WarUnited States Secretary of WarThe Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
for President Herbert HooverHerbert HooverHerbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
. - Oliver La FargeOliver La FargeOliver Hazard Perry La Farge was an American writer and anthropologist, best known for his 1930 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Laughing Boy....
, 1930 Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning author of the novel Laughing Boy. - Second Lieutenant Raymond G. Murphy USMC, Medal of Honor recipient for action in KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
on February 3, 1953. - Yuma IndianQuechanThe Quechan are a Native American tribe who live on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation on the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California just north of the border with Mexico...
and Army Scout Sergeant Y. B. Rowdy, Medal of Honor recipient for action in Arizona TerritoryArizona TerritoryThe Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
during the Indian WarsIndian WarsAmerican Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. - Captain Robert S. ScottRobert S. ScottColonel Robert Sheldon Scott was a soldier of the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II. He was born in Washington, D. C., and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1937 with a degree in English. In September 1941, Scott was drafted into the...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II. - John Bristol SpeerJack SpeerJohn Bristol Speer was an attorney, practicing law for over 60 years; a judge; and a member of the Washington House of Representatives....
, attorney, judge, politician, and writer, interred on July 8, 2008. - Master Sergeant Roy TackettRoy TackettRoy Tackett was a rifleman with the United States Marine Corps during World War II who was credited with the introduction of science fiction to Japan following the war when he was stationed in that nation as part of the American occupation.-Career:During the early 1950s Tackett was a Drill...
WWII Marine credited with the introduction of Sci-Fi to Japan and co-founder of BuboniconBuboniconBubonicon is an annual multigenre convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, typically held during the last weekend of August. It is the largest general-interest science fiction convention in New Mexico and among the oldest in the Southwest.-History:... - Private First Class Jose F. ValdezJose F. ValdezPrivate First Class Jose F. Valdez was a United States Army soldier who posthumously received the Medal of Honor — the United States' highest military decoration — for his actions near Rosenkranz, France, in the Battle of the Colmar Pocket during World War II.-Early years:Valdez was a...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action during World War II.
See also
- United States Department of Veterans AffairsUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsThe United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
- United States National CemeteryUnited States National Cemetery"United States National Cemetery" is a designation for 146 nationally important cemeteries in the United States. A National Cemetery is generally a military cemetery containing the graves of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their spouses but not exclusively so...