Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Puerto Rico National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery
located in the city of Bayamón
, in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico
. It encompasses 108.2 acre (0.437870252 km²) of land, and as of the end of 2005, had 44,722 interments. It is the only National Cemetery in Puerto Rico, and the only one outside of the mainland United States
.
the area was used as a machine gun
range. After the war, the land was transferred to the stewardship of the United States Department of the Army
for the purpose of creating a National Cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated on Veterans Day
in 1949 and has become a shrine to Puerto Ricans who have served in the United States military. In 1962, the remains from five other military cemeteries on the island were disinterred and transferred to the National Cemetery.
Puerto Rico National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on September 26, 1983.
18°24′44"N 66°10′00"W
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...
located in the city of Bayamón
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
, in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. It encompasses 108.2 acre (0.437870252 km²) of land, and as of the end of 2005, had 44,722 interments. It is the only National Cemetery in Puerto Rico, and the only one outside of the mainland United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World 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...
the area was used as a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
range. After the war, the land was transferred to the stewardship of the United States Department of the Army
United States Department of the Army
The Department of the Army is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Army is the Federal Government agency which the United States Army is organized within, and it is led by the Secretary of the Army who has...
for the purpose of creating a National Cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated on Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
in 1949 and has become a shrine to Puerto Ricans who have served in the United States military. In 1962, the remains from five other military cemeteries on the island were disinterred and transferred to the National Cemetery.
Puerto Rico National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on September 26, 1983.
Notable interments
- Domingo Arroyo, Jr., PFC, U.S. Marine Corps, The first Puerto Rican and American serviceman to be killed in Operation Restore Hope during the Somalian Civil War.
- Bailey K. AshfordBailey AshfordColonel Bailey K. Ashford was born in Washington D.C. in 1873 and died in 1934. Himself a pioneering physician, Ashford grew up as one of five children in the family of a prominent physician. His general education was obtained at the public schools and at Columbian University in Washington D.C....
, Colonel, U.S. Army, Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
veteran, doctor, parasitologistParasitologyParasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
, author.
- Modesto CartagenaModesto CartagenaSergeant First Class Modesto Cartagena , was a member of the United States Army who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, an all-Puerto Rican regiment also known as "The Borinqueneers," during World War II and the Korean War...
, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, an all-Puerto Rican regiment also known as "The Borinqueneers", during World War II and the Korean War. He was the most decorated Puerto Rican soldier in history.
- Juan César Cordero DávilaJuan Cesar Cordero DavilaMajor General Juan César Cordero Dávila , was the commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, rising to become one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the United States Army.-Early years:...
, Major General, U.S. Army, was the commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, rising to become one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the United States Army.
- Efrain Figueroa-MelendezPuerto Rican recipients of the Distinguished Service CrossPuerto Ricans have served as members of the United States Armed Forces and have fought in every major conflict in which the United States has been involved from World War I onward. Many Puerto Ricans, including those of Puerto Rican descent, have distinguished themselves during combat as members...
, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, was a member of Company D, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On three occasions Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez purposely drew communist volleys on himself to permit his men to draw back to protected positions.
- Fernando Luis GarciaFernando Luis GarcíaPrivate First Class Fernando Luis García , a member of the United States Marines, was the first Puerto Rican, from a total of five, to be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.-Early years:...
, PFC, U.S. Marine Corps, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor.In the cases of PFC Fernando Luis Garcia and PFC Ramón Núñez-Juarez, no physical remains were buried. Separate cenotaphCenotaphA cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been interred elsewhere. The word derives from the Greek κενοτάφιον = kenotaphion...
s (in these cases, the cenotaphs are normal headstones in accordance with cemetery protocol) with their names inscribed were placed by military officials in their memories.
- César Luis GonzálezCésar Luis González (Aviator)First Lieutenant César Luis González was an officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Gonzalez was the first Puerto Rican pilot in the United States Army Air Force and the first Puerto Rican pilot to die in World War II...
, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, World War II, was the first pilot from Puerto Rico to fly for the US Army Air Corps and one of the first Puerto Ricans to die in combat during that conflict. He was posthumusly promoted to 1st. Lt.
- Mihiel "Mike" GilorminiMihiel GilorminiBrigadier General Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini , was a United States Air Force officer who served in the Royal Air Force and in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Air Medal with four clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross 5 times...
, Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force, World War II hero, recipient of 5 Distinguished Flying Cross's and co-founder of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. Gilormini had previously flown for the Royal Canadian Air Force(1941) and the Royal Air Force (1941–1942).
- Gilberto Jose MarxuachGilberto Jose MarxuachColonel Gilberto José Marxuach a.k.a. "The Father of the San Juan Civil Defense" , was a former officer in the United States Army who in 1951 founded and became the first director of the Civil Defense in the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Early years:Marxuach was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to...
, Colonel, U.S. Army, the son of Teofilo Marxuach, is "The Father of the San Juan Civil Defense".
- Teofilo MarxuachTeofilo MarxuachLieutenant Colonel Teófilo Marxuach, , was the person who ordered the first shot fired in World War I on behalf of the United States on an armed German supply ship trying to force its way out of the San Juan Bay...
, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, ordered the first shot fired in World War I on behalf of the United States on an armed German supply ship trying to force its way out of the San Juan Bay.
- Elmy L. MattaPuerto Rican recipients of the Distinguished Service CrossPuerto Ricans have served as members of the United States Armed Forces and have fought in every major conflict in which the United States has been involved from World War I onward. Many Puerto Ricans, including those of Puerto Rican descent, have distinguished themselves during combat as members...
, 1st. Lieutenant, U.S. Army, awarded the Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, was a member of the 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st CAV DIV. Lieutenant Matta was killed while personally leading an assault of his company against the enemy in the face of intense small arms and automatic weapons fire.
- José Antonio MuñizJosé Antonio MuñizLieutenant Colonel José Antonio Muñiz was a former United States Air Force officer who during World War II served in the United States Army Air Forces. Together with then-Colonels Alberto A. Nido and Mihiel Gilormini he founded the Puerto Rico Air National Guard...
, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Force, together with then-Colonels Alberto A. Nido and Mihiel Gilormini he founded the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. In 1963, the Air National Guard Base, at the San Juan International airport in Puerto Rico, was renamed "Muñiz Air National Guard Base" in his honor.
- Alberto A. NidoAlberto A. NidoBrigadier General Alberto A. Nido is a former United States Air Force officer who during World War II served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, the British Royal Air Force and in the United States Army Air Forces. He was also the co-founder of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard.-Early years:Nido was...
, Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force, World War II hero who co-founded the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and served as its commander for many years.
- Belisario NoriegaPuerto Rican recipients of the Distinguished Service CrossPuerto Ricans have served as members of the United States Armed Forces and have fought in every major conflict in which the United States has been involved from World War I onward. Many Puerto Ricans, including those of Puerto Rican descent, have distinguished themselves during combat as members...
, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, served with the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. He led his men through the hostile ranks of the enemy to the safety of the main line of resistance.
- Ramón Núñez-JuarezRamón Núñez-Juarez-Postscript:PFC Ramón Núñez-Juárez's remains have never been recovered and a symbolic burial with full military honors was held on October 25, 1970. There is a headstone with his name inscribed above an empty grave in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery, located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico...
, PFC, U.S. Marine Corps, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, second highest military award of the United States of America after the Medal of Honor. He was the only Puerto Rican member of the United States Marine Corps whose remains have never been recovered and who was listed as Missing in Action during the Korean War.
- Members of the Otero family:
- Joseph Otero, Sargeant, U.S. Army, murdered by serial killer Dennis RaderDennis RaderDennis Lynn Rader is an American serial killer who murdered ten people in Sedgwick County , between 1974 and 1991....
- Julie Otero, wife of Joseph Otero, murdered by serial killer Dennis Rader
- Josephine Otero, daughter of Joseph and Julie Otero, murdered by serial killer Dennis Rader
- Joseph Otero II, son of Joseph and Julie Otero, murdered by serial killer Dennis Rader
- Joseph Otero, Sargeant, U.S. Army, murdered by serial killer Dennis Rader
- SP5 Diana Beatriz Padro, died in The PentagonThe PentagonThe Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
during the September 11, 2001 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacksThe September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
.
- Carlos Betances RamírezCarlos Betances RamirezColonel Carlos Betances Ramírez , was the only Puerto Rican to command a Battalion in the Korean War.-Early years:...
, Colonel, U.S. Army, was the only Puerto Rican to command a Battalion in the Korean War.
- Agustín Ramos CaleroAgustin Ramos CaleroSergeant First Class Agustín Ramos Calero was awarded 22 decorations and medals from the U.S. Army for his actions during World War II, thus becoming the most decorated Hispanic soldier in the United States military during that war.-Early years:Calero was born and raised in the town of Isabela,...
, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, with 22 military decorations Ramos Calero was the most decorated Hispanic soldier in all of the United States during World War II.
- Lizbeth RoblesLizbeth RoblesSPC Lizbeth Robles , was a female soldier born in Puerto Rico that died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.-Early years:...
, SPC, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in Puerto Rico to die in Iraq.
- Antonio Rodríguez BalinasAntonio Rodriguez BalinasBrigadier General Antonio Rodríguez Balinas was the first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command.-Early years:...
, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, the first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command.
- Euripides RubioEuripides RubioCaptain Eurípides Rubio , born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was a United States Army officer and one of five Puerto Ricans who were posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor for actions on November 8, 1966 during the Vietnam War...
, Captain, U.S. Army, 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 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...
.
- Antulio SegarraAntulio SegarraColonel Antulio Segarra , was a United States Army officer who in 1943 became the first Puerto Rican in history to command a Regular Army Regiment. Segarra served as Military Aide to the Military Governor of Puerto Rico Theodore Roosevelt, Jr...
, Colonel, U.S. Army, In 1943, Segarra became the first Puerto Rican Regular Army officer to command a Regular Army Regiment when he assumed the command of Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment which at the time was conducting security missions in the jungles of Panama.
- Frances M. VegaFrances M. VegaSPC Frances M. Vega, also known as "That Girl Benitez" , was the first female soldier of Puerto Rican descent to die in a combat zone in Operation Iraqi Freedom.-Early years:...
, SPC, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in the U.S. to die in a war.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- 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
External links
- National Park Service Images
- National Cemetery Administration
- Puerto Rico National Cemetery
- Puerto Rico National Cemetery on Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
18°24′44"N 66°10′00"W