Springfield National Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Springfield National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Springfield
, in Greene County, Missouri
. It encompasses 18.1 acres (73,248.2 m²), and as of the end of 2005, had 14,685 interments.
Confederate
soldiers, many of whom died at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
. It has since been expanded and opened to all veterans. Springfield National Cemetery now has the interred remains of soldiers from wars dating back to the Revolutionary War
. The cemetery lends its name to National Avenue in Springfield, which formerly passed by the cemetery prior to the southern expansion of the city decades ago.
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, in Greene County, Missouri
Greene County, Missouri
Greene County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 275,174 making it the fourth most populated county in Missouri. Its county seat is Springfield...
. It encompasses 18.1 acres (73,248.2 m²), and as of the end of 2005, had 14,685 interments.
History
Established in 1867 as a place to inter only 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...
Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
soldiers, many of whom died at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
. It has since been expanded and opened to all veterans. Springfield National Cemetery now has the interred remains of soldiers from wars dating back to the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. The cemetery lends its name to National Avenue in Springfield, which formerly passed by the cemetery prior to the southern expansion of the city decades ago.
Notable monuments
- A marble pillar dedicated to Union General Nathaniel LyonNathaniel LyonNathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict....
in 1888. - A bronze sculpture dedicated to Confederate General Sterling PriceSterling PriceSterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
in 1901. - The Battle of Wilson's CreekBattle of Wilson's CreekThe Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
Memorial. - A monument dedicated to Pearl Harbor survivors, erected in 1992.
- The Sons and Daughters of the American RevolutionSons of the American RevolutionThe National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
Memorial, dedicated to the Continental ArmyContinental ArmyThe Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War.
Notable interments
- Sergeant Harrison Collins, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for action in the Civil War. - Captain Patrick Pentzer, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Civil War.
- Corporal Orion P. HoweOrion P. HoweOrion Perseus Howe was among the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor for his service in the American Civil War as a Union drummer boy. He was awarded the medal on April 23, 1896.-Life:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Civil War. - Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Jack WilliamsJack Williams (Medal of Honor)Jack Williams was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.-Biography:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in 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...
. - Pharmacist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Fred H. McGuire, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Philippine-American WarPhilippine-American WarThe Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
.
- Buffalo SoldierBuffalo SoldierBuffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas....
s- James McBroom
- Arthur Wilburn
- Johnnie L. Burston
- Ed G. Rickman
- Pryor Sharp
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 Cemetery