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San Francisco National Cemetery: Difference between revisions
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'''San Francisco National Cemetery''' is a [[United States national cemetery]], located in the [[Presidio of San Francisco|Presidio]] of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]]. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with [[Golden Gate National Cemetery]], a few miles south of the city. | '''San Francisco National Cemetery''' is a [[United States national cemetery]], located in the [[Presidio of San Francisco|Presidio]] of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]]. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with [[Golden Gate National Cemetery]], a few miles south of the city. | ||
About 1937, San Francisco residents voted to no longer build cemeteries within the city proper and, as a result, the site for a new national cemetery was selected south of the city limits. The cemetery is one of only four officially existing within | About 1937, San Francisco residents voted to no longer build cemeteries within the city proper and, as a result, the site for a new national cemetery was selected south of the city limits. The cemetery is one of only four officially existing within San Francisco city limits (the others being the [[Columbarium of San Francisco]], the historic graveyard next to [[Mission Dolores]], and the sarcophagus of [[Thomas Starr King]]). | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
When [[Spain]] colonized what would become California, this area was selected as the site for a fort, or [[presidio]], to defend [[San Francisco Bay]]. About 40 families traveled here from northern [[Mexico]] in 1776 and built the first settlement, a small quadrangle, only a few hundred feet west of what is now Funston Avenue. Mexico controlled the Presidio following 1821, but the fort became less important to the Mexican government. In 1835, most soldiers and their families moved north to [[Sonoma, California|Sonoma]], leaving it nearly abandoned. During the [[Mexican–American War]], U.S. troops occupied and repaired the damage to the fort. | When [[Spain]] colonized what would become California, this area was selected as the site for a fort, or [[presidio]], to defend [[San Francisco Bay]]. About 40 families traveled here from northern [[Mexico]] in 1776 and built the first settlement, a small quadrangle, only a few hundred feet west of what is now Funston Avenue. Mexico controlled the Presidio following 1821, but the fort became less important to the Mexican government. In 1835, most soldiers and their families moved north to [[Sonoma, California|Sonoma]], leaving it nearly abandoned. During the [[Mexican–American War]], U.S. troops occupied and repaired the damage to the fort. | ||
[[File:Entrance of San Francisco National Cemetery.jpg|thumb|The entrance of the San Francisco National Cemetery]] | [[File:Entrance of San Francisco National Cemetery.jpg|thumb|The entrance of the San Francisco National Cemetery]] | ||
The mid-century [[California Gold Rush|discovery of gold in California]] led to the sudden growth and importance of San Francisco, and prompted the U.S. government to establish a military reservation here. By executive order, President [[Millard Fillmore]] established the Presidio for military use in November 1850. During the 1850s and 1860s, Presidio-based soldiers fought [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in California, [[Oregon]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], and [[Nevada]]. The outbreak of the | The mid-century [[California Gold Rush|discovery of gold in California]] led to the sudden growth and importance of San Francisco, and prompted the U.S. government to establish a military reservation here. By executive order, President [[Millard Fillmore]] established the Presidio for military use in November 1850. During the 1850s and 1860s, Presidio-based soldiers fought [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in California, [[Oregon]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], and [[Nevada]]. The outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 re-emphasized the importance of California's riches and the military significance of San Francisco's harbor to the Union. This led, in 1862, to the first major construction and expansion program at the Presidio since its acquisition by the United States. | ||
The [[Indian Wars]] of the 1870s and 1880s resulted in additional expansion of the Presidio, including large-scale tree planting and a post beautification program. By the following decade the Presidio had shed its frontier outpost appearance and was elevated to a major military installation and base for American expansion into the Pacific. | The [[Indian Wars]] of the 1870s and 1880s resulted in additional expansion of the Presidio, including large-scale tree planting and a post beautification program. By the following decade the Presidio had shed its frontier outpost appearance and was elevated to a major military installation and base for American expansion into the Pacific. | ||
In 1890, with the creation of [[Sequoia National Park|Sequoia]], [[General Grant National Park|General Grant]] and [[Yosemite National Park]]s in the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] mountains of California, the protection of these scenic and natural resources was assigned to the U.S. cavalry stationed at the Presidio. Soldiers patrolled these parks during summer months until the start of | In 1890, with the creation of [[Sequoia National Park|Sequoia]], [[General Grant National Park|General Grant]] and [[Yosemite National Park]]s in the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] mountains of California, the protection of these scenic and natural resources was assigned to the U.S. cavalry stationed at the Presidio. Soldiers patrolled these parks during summer months until the start of World War I in 1914. The [[Spanish–American War]] in 1898 and subsequent [[Philippine–American War]], from 1899 to 1902, increased the role of the Presidio. Thousands of troops camped in tent cities while awaiting shipment to the [[Philippines]]. Returning sick and wounded soldiers were treated in the Army's first permanent hospital, later renamed [[Letterman Army General Hospital]]. In 1914, troops under the command of General [[John Pershing]] departed the Presidio for the Mexican border in pursuit of [[Pancho Villa]] and his men. | ||
When the United States entered [[World War II]] after the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], Presidio soldiers dug [[Defensive fighting position|foxholes]] along nearby beaches. [[U.S. Fourth Army|Fourth Army]] Commander Gen. [[John L. DeWitt]] conducted the [[Japanese-American internment|internment of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans]] on the West Coast while U.S. soldiers of Japanese descent were trained to read and speak Japanese at the first [[Military Intelligence Service]] language school organized at [[Crissy Field]]. During the 1950s, the Presidio served as the headquarters for the [[Project Nike|Nike]] missile defense program and headquarters for the [[U.S. Sixth Army]]. The Presidio of San Francisco, encompassing more than 350 buildings with historic value, was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1962. In 1989, the Presidio closed as a military entity and was transferred to the [[National Park Service]] in October 1994. | When the United States entered [[World War II]] after the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], Presidio soldiers dug [[Defensive fighting position|foxholes]] along nearby beaches. [[U.S. Fourth Army|Fourth Army]] Commander Gen. [[John L. DeWitt]] conducted the [[Japanese-American internment|internment of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans]] on the West Coast while U.S. soldiers of Japanese descent were trained to read and speak Japanese at the first [[Military Intelligence Service]] language school organized at [[Crissy Field]]. During the 1950s, the Presidio served as the headquarters for the [[Project Nike|Nike]] missile defense program and headquarters for the [[U.S. Sixth Army]]. The Presidio of San Francisco, encompassing more than 350 buildings with historic value, was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1962. In 1989, the Presidio closed as a military entity and was transferred to the [[National Park Service]] in October 1994. | ||
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* The Pacific Garrison Memorial (1897) | * The Pacific Garrison Memorial (1897) | ||
* Regular [[Army and Navy Union of the United States of America|Army and Navy Union]] statue (1897) | * Regular [[Army and Navy Union of the United States of America|Army and Navy Union]] statue (1897) | ||
* A monument to the Marines who died at the [[Siege of the International Legations|Tartar Wall]] in [[Beijing]], | * A monument to the Marines who died at the [[Siege of the International Legations|Tartar Wall]] in [[Beijing]], China (1900) | ||
* A monument to the Unknown Dead (installed 1912 and relocated 1934) | * A monument to the Unknown Dead (installed 1912 and relocated 1934) | ||
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=== Medal of Honor recipients === | === Medal of Honor recipients === | ||
(Dates are of the actions for which they were awarded the | (Dates are of the actions for which they were awarded the Medal of Honor.) | ||
* First Sergeant [[William Allen (soldier)|William Allen]] ([[Indian Wars|Indian Campaigns]]), Company I, [[23rd Infantry Regiment (United States)|23rd U.S. Infantry]]. [[Turret Mountain]], Arizona, March 27, 1873 | * First Sergeant [[William Allen (soldier)|William Allen]] ([[Indian Wars|Indian Campaigns]]), Company I, [[23rd Infantry Regiment (United States)|23rd U.S. Infantry]]. [[Turret Mountain]], Arizona, March 27, 1873 | ||
* Chief Machinist's Mate [[William Badders]] [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]. At sea following sinking of the [[USS Sailfish (SS-192)|USS ''Squalus'']], May 13, 1939 | * Chief Machinist's Mate [[William Badders]] [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]. At sea following sinking of the [[USS Sailfish (SS-192)|USS ''Squalus'']], May 13, 1939 | ||
* Major [[James Coey]] ( | * Major [[James Coey]] (Civil War), [[147th New York Infantry Regiment|147th New York Infantry]]. [[Hatchers Run, Virginia|Hatchers Run, Va.]], February 6, 1865 | ||
* Sergeant [[James Congdon]] (served under the name James Madison) (Civil War), Company E, [[8th New York Cavalry Regiment|8th New York Cavalry]]. [[Waynesboro, Virginia|Waynesboro, Va.]], March 2, 1865 | * Sergeant [[James Congdon]] (served under the name James Madison) (Civil War), Company E, [[8th New York Cavalry Regiment|8th New York Cavalry]]. [[Waynesboro, Virginia|Waynesboro, Va.]], March 2, 1865 | ||
* Second Lieutenant [[Matthias W. Day]] (Indian Campaigns), [[9th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|9th U.S. Cavalry]]. [[Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico|Las Animas Canyon, N.M.]], September 18, 1879 | * Second Lieutenant [[Matthias W. Day]] (Indian Campaigns), [[9th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|9th U.S. Cavalry]]. [[Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico|Las Animas Canyon, N.M.]], September 18, 1879 | ||
* Major General [[William F. Dean]] ( | * Major General [[William F. Dean]] (Korean War), U.S. Army, commanding general, [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division]]. [[Taejon]], [[Korea]], July 20–21, 1950 | ||
* Captain [[Reginald B. Desiderio]] (Korean War), U.S. Army, commanding officer, Company E, [[27th Infantry Regiment (United States)|27th Infantry Regiment]], [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]]. Near [[Ipsok]], Korea, November 27, 1950 | * Captain [[Reginald B. Desiderio]] (Korean War), U.S. Army, commanding officer, Company E, [[27th Infantry Regiment (United States)|27th Infantry Regiment]], [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]]. Near [[Ipsok]], Korea, November 27, 1950 | ||
* Lieutenant [[Abraham DeSomer]] ([[United States occupation of Veracruz|Mexican Campaign]]), U.S. Navy, [[USS Utah (BB-31)|USS ''Utah'']]. [[Veracruz]], [[Mexico]], April 21–22, 1914 | * Lieutenant [[Abraham DeSomer]] ([[United States occupation of Veracruz|Mexican Campaign]]), U.S. Navy, [[USS Utah (BB-31)|USS ''Utah'']]. [[Veracruz]], [[Mexico]], April 21–22, 1914 | ||
* Colonel [[Kern W. Dunagan]] ( | * Colonel [[Kern W. Dunagan]] (Vietnam War), U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, [[U.S. 46th Infantry Regiment|46th Infantry]], [[Americal Division]]. [[Republic of Vietnam]], May 13, 1969 | ||
* Sergeant [[William Foster (Medal of Honor)|William Foster]] (Indian Campaigns), Company F, [[U.S. 4th Cavalry Regiment|4th U.S. Cavalry]]. [[Red River of the South|Red River, Tex.]], September 29, 1872 | * Sergeant [[William Foster (Medal of Honor)|William Foster]] (Indian Campaigns), Company F, [[U.S. 4th Cavalry Regiment|4th U.S. Cavalry]]. [[Red River of the South|Red River, Tex.]], September 29, 1872 | ||
* Colonel [[Frederick Funston, Sr.]], ([[Philippine–American War]]), [[20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment|20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry]]. [[Rio Grande de la Pampanga]], [[Luzon]], Philippine Islands, April 27, 1899 | * Colonel [[Frederick Funston, Sr.]], ([[Philippine–American War]]), [[20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment|20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry]]. [[Rio Grande de la Pampanga]], [[Luzon]], Philippine Islands, April 27, 1899 | ||
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Also buried at San Francisco National Cemetery is Sarah Bowman, also known as "Great Western", a formidable woman over {{convert|6|ft|m}} tall with red hair and a fondness for wearing pistols. Married to a soldier, she traveled with [[Zachary Taylor]]'s troops in the [[Mexican–American War]] helping to care for the wounded, for which she earned a government pension. After her husband's death she had a variety of male companions and ran an infamous tavern and brothel in [[El Paso, Texas]]. Bowman left El Paso when she married her last husband. The two ended up at [[Fort Yuma]], where she operated a boarding house until her death from a spider bite in 1866. She was given a full military funeral and was buried in the Fort Yuma Cemetery. Several years later her body was exhumed and reburied at San Francisco National Cemetery. | Also buried at San Francisco National Cemetery is Sarah Bowman, also known as "Great Western", a formidable woman over {{convert|6|ft|m}} tall with red hair and a fondness for wearing pistols. Married to a soldier, she traveled with [[Zachary Taylor]]'s troops in the [[Mexican–American War]] helping to care for the wounded, for which she earned a government pension. After her husband's death she had a variety of male companions and ran an infamous tavern and brothel in [[El Paso, Texas]]. Bowman left El Paso when she married her last husband. The two ended up at [[Fort Yuma]], where she operated a boarding house until her death from a spider bite in 1866. She was given a full military funeral and was buried in the Fort Yuma Cemetery. Several years later her body was exhumed and reburied at San Francisco National Cemetery. | ||
San Francisco National Cemetery is also the burial location of Brigadier General [[George G. Gatley]], who commanded brigades and divisions in | San Francisco National Cemetery is also the burial location of Brigadier General [[George G. Gatley]], who commanded brigades and divisions in World War I, and was also well known as the father of actress [[Ann Harding]].<ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 1931 |title=Gen. Gatley, 55th Brigade Chief, is Dead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/169960190 |newspaper=Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, TN |pages=1, 3 |url-access=subscription |ref={{sfnRef|"Gen. Gatley, 55th Brigade Chief, is Dead"}}}}</ref> Another World War I brigadier general, [[Odus Creamer Horney]], is also buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1957 |title=Death Notice, Odus C. Horney |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121159524/obituary-for-horney/ |work=[[San Francisco Examiner]] |location=San Francisco, CA |page=Section II, Page 21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> [[John Francis Dillon (commissioner)|John Francis Dillon]], member of the U.S. Federal Radio Commission is buried there too.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-death-calls-c/138979197/ |title=Death Calls Col. J. F. Dillon |date=1927-10-10 |newspaper=[[San Francisco Examiner]] |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=2024-01-17}}{{Open access}}</ref> | ||
U.S. representatives [[Phillip Burton]] and [[Sala Burton]] are also buried in the cemetery. | U.S. representatives [[Phillip Burton]] and [[Sala Burton]] are also buried in the cemetery. | ||