Puerto Rico National Cemetery facts for kids

Puerto Rico National Cemetery
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Puerto Rico
Location	Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Built	1949
NRHP reference No.	83002298
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	September 26, 1983

The Puerto Rico National Cemetery is a special burial ground for military veterans and their families. It is located in the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This cemetery covers about 108 acres of land. By the end of 2005, it held the remains of 44,722 people. For many years, it was the only United States National Cemetery in Puerto Rico. A second national cemetery was later built in Morovis, Puerto Rico, because the Bayamón cemetery was becoming full.

History of the Cemetery

The land where the cemetery now stands was controlled by the United States Navy starting in 1898. This happened after Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States. This transfer was part of the agreements that ended the Spanish–American War. During World War II, this area was used as a place for machine gun practice.

The United States government decided that this site in Bayamón, about 13 miles from San Juan, would be a good spot for a new cemetery. The land was then given to the United States Department of the Army. A private company, Font & Montilla, was hired to build the cemetery.

The cemetery was officially opened on Veterans Day in 1949. Important people attended the ceremony, including Luis Muñoz Marín, who was the Governor of Puerto Rico. Since then, the cemetery has become a very important place. It honors Puerto Rican veterans who served in the United States military. It also honors those who died while on active duty. In 1962, the remains of people buried in five other military cemeteries on the island were moved here.

The Puerto Rico National Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 26, 1983. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

Morovis National Cemetery

Morovis National Cemetery, construction Phase I

The Morovis National Cemetery is a second United States National Cemetery in Puerto Rico. It was built in Morovis on a large piece of land, about 247 acres. You can reach it from Puerto Rico Highway 137 at Km. 11.2. This new cemetery was needed because the Bayamón cemetery was expected to reach its full capacity around 2022.

Construction of the Morovis cemetery began in 2019. Burials were planned to start in 2021. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held a special dedication ceremony for the cemetery on December 12, 2020.

Notable People Buried Here

Memorial Day 2014 at Puerto Rico National Cemetery

Many brave and distinguished people are buried at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery. This list includes famous Puerto Ricans and other veterans who made Puerto Rico their home. They all served in the U.S. military.

Medal of Honor Recipients

The Medal of Honor is the highest military award given by the United States.

• Fernando Luis García Ledesma (1929–1952  †), a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the first Puerto Rican to receive the Medal of Honor.
• Juan E. Negrón-Martínez (1929–1996), a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment. He received the medal after his death.
• Eurípides Rubio (1938–1966  †), a Captain in the U.S. Army. He earned the medal for his brave actions during the Vietnam War.

Other Notable Veterans

• Bailey K. Ashford, a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of the Spanish–American War and a doctor. He helped cure many people in Puerto Rico from a serious illness.
• Carlos Betances Ramírez, a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He was the only Puerto Rican to lead a Battalion during the Korean War.
• Modesto Cartagena, a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. He served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers." He fought in both World War II and the Korean War. He is known as the most decorated Puerto Rican soldier in history.
• Carlos Fernando Chardón, a Major General in the U.S. Army. He was the top military officer in Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973. He also served as the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico.
• Virgilio N. Cordero, Jr., a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. He was a commander during World War II. He wrote about his experiences as a prisoner of war and his part in the Bataan Death March.
• Juan César Cordero Dávila, a Major General in the U.S. Army. He was the commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He became one of the highest-ranking officers of Puerto Rican heritage in the U.S. Army.
• César Luis González, a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. During World War II, he was the first pilot from Puerto Rico to fly for the US Army Air Corps. He was also one of the first Puerto Ricans to die in combat during that war.
• Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini, a Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force. He was a hero in World War II and received five Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also helped start the Puerto Rico Air National Guard.
• Gilberto José Marxuach, a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He is known as "The Father of the San Juan Civil Defense."
• Teófilo Marxuach, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. He ordered the first shot fired by the United States in World War I. This happened when a German ship tried to leave the San Juan Bay.
• José Antonio Muñiz, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Force. He helped create the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. In 1963, the Air National Guard Base in San Juan was named "Muñiz Air National Guard Base" in his honor.
• Alberto A. Nido, a Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force. He was a World War II hero who also helped start the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. He commanded it for many years.
• Agustín Ramos Calero, a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. With 22 military awards, he was the most decorated Hispanic soldier in the United States during World War II.
• Charlie Robles, a Puerto Rican singer and actor. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War period.
• Augusto Rodríguez, a Lieutenant in the United States Union Army. He served in the American Civil War. He fought in the Battles of Fredericksburg and Wyse Fork.
• Lizbeth Robles, a Specialist (SPC) in the U.S. Army. She was the first Puerto Rican female soldier born in Puerto Rico to die in Iraq.
• Antonio Rodríguez Balinas, a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. He was the first commander of an important U.S. Army office.
• Antulio Segarra, a Colonel in the U.S. Army. In 1943, he became the first Puerto Rican Regular Army officer to command a Regular Army Regiment. He led Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment in Panama.
• Frances M. Vega, a Specialist (SPC) in the U.S. Army. She was the first Puerto Rican female soldier born in the U.S. mainland to die in a war.

Gallery of Notable People Buried Here

See also

In Spanish: Cementerio nacional de Puerto Rico para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican military personnel