Recall the year 1926. That was the year when the grounds we’re standing on first became a burial ground. This is Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. It is a place of honor and remembrance.
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery began long after the establishment of Fort Sam Houston. The Army post was established in 1875. Construction began the following year.
Initially interments were made in a portion of the city cemetery. This continued until 1867. The United States acquired a tract by donation from the city government. It was designated San Antonio National Cemetery. The city completely surrounded the new national cemetery. Expansion was extremely limited.
As the years passed the number of military personnel grew. The number of post deaths increased too. This created a need for more burial facilities.
In 1924 a portion of the military reservation was set aside. It was to be used as a post cemetery. The first interment was made in 1926.
In 1931 the War Department announced a transfer. Sixty acres were transferred from the military reservation. This included the post cemetery. The tract was designated an addition to San Antonio National Cemetery.
In 1937 the War Department formally renamed it. It became Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Remains from one-time frontier posts in Texas were reinterred here. These included Fort Ringgold Fort Clark and Fort McIntosh. These facilities closed in 1947.
Today Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a sprawling tribute. It encompasses 154.7 acres. As of 2014 it held over 144000 interments. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Among the many laid to rest here are heroes. There are Medal of Honor recipients. Staff Sergeant Lucian Adams is interred here. He earned the Medal of Honor in World War II. Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez rests here too. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in the Vietnam War. Colonel Cecil Hamilton Bolton also lies here. He was recognized for his bravery in World War II.
Also interred are other notable figures. Colonel Charlie Beckwith is here. He was the creator of Delta Force. General Richard E. Cavazos is buried here too. He was the Army’s first Hispanic four-star general.
Interestingly Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery also holds the remains of enemy soldiers. 140 Axis prisoners of war from World War II are interred here. They died in captivity. They were reburied here from various Texas POW camps.
In February 2023 the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated new headstones. These were for 17 Black soldiers. They were wrongly blamed and executed for a race riot in 1917. Their military trials were marked by irregularities. The Army Secretary vacated the soldiers’ convictions in 2023. Their records now reflect honorable discharges.
As we stand here let us remember. Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is a place of honor a place of remembrance. It is a place where heroes rest. Their stories and sacrifices will never be forgotten.