Fort Washington National Cemetery

Fort Washington National Cemetery
Name	Fort Washington National Cemetery
Established	1939
Country	United States
Location	Fort Washington, Maryland, Prince George's County, Maryland
Type	United States National Cemetery
Owner	Department of Veterans Affairs
Size	77acre
Graves	~44,000

Fort Washington National Cemetery Fort Washington National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Fort Washington, Maryland near the confluence of the Potomac River and Piscataway Creek. Established in 1939 on the grounds of the former Fort Washington (Maryland), the cemetery serves as a burial place for veterans from conflicts including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It is administered by the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs and lies adjacent to historic sites such as the Fort Washington Park and the Oxon Hill Farm area.

History

The land that became Fort Washington National Cemetery was originally associated with the 19th-century coastal defense works of Fort Washington (Maryland), constructed in response to the War of 1812 and later modified during the Civil War era. In 1939, following the expansion of national burial policy under the National Cemetery Act and precedents set by cemeteries like Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery, the site was designated to inter veterans and dependents. The cemetery expanded through mid-20th-century acquisitions similar to land procurements for Quantico National Cemetery and Calverton National Cemetery, reflecting federal efforts during and after World War II and the Korean War to accommodate increasing numbers of military burials. Over ensuing decades, Fort Washington became the resting place for service members involved in events connected to the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, and Cold War-era operations associated with Fort Meade and the Washington Navy Yard.

Design and Layout

The cemetery's design reflects principles used in federal burial grounds such as Arlington National Cemetery and the Navesink Twin Lights landscape approach, incorporating axial lawns, straight avenues, and regimented grave plots reminiscent of designs by Frederick Law Olmsted practiced at historic sites like Oakwood Cemetery (Maryland). Graves are organized in contiguous sections with paved drives and footpaths similar to layouts at Quantico National Cemetery and Lehman Cemetery (New York). The use of indigenous plantings echoes conservation work at Rock Creek Park and landscape restoration efforts modeled after the National Park Service standards. A central flagstaff, memorial markers, and a main administration building provide focal points analogous to features at Vicksburg National Military Park and Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Notable Interments

Interments at the cemetery include veterans and notable figures connected to the United States Armed Forces, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army Air Forces. Among those buried are participants from the Battle of the Bulge, crews associated with the USS Maine (ACR-1) legacy, and personnel linked to the Pentagon and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The cemetery contains graves of recipients of awards like the Medal of Honor, decorations tied to actions in the Pacific War, and veterans associated with the Tuskegee Airmen program. Local political figures from Prince George's County, Maryland and civil servants from the United States Congress region are also interred, alongside individuals connected to Fort Washington Park preservation and veterans' advocacy organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Monuments and Memorials

Fort Washington National Cemetery features memorials and monuments commemorating service in conflicts comparable to installations at Arlington National Cemetery and National World War II Memorial. Monuments honor veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War and include plaques and dedication stones erected by groups like the Disabled American Veterans and the AMVETS. Ceremonial elements such as a flagpole plaza and commemorative benches mirror memorial treatments at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and regional memorials for Fort Washington (Maryland). Periodic dedication ceremonies have involved organizations including the National Cemetery Administration, state veterans' commissions of Maryland, and civic groups linked to preservation efforts at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Administration and Maintenance

Administration of the cemetery falls under the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which follows policies and guidelines established by federal statutes and programs shaped after precedents set by Arlington National Cemetery management. Day-to-day maintenance employs standards comparable to those used by the National Park Service and coordination with state agencies such as the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. Interment scheduling, burial honors, headstone issuance, and veterans' records are processed in concert with military personnel offices at installations like Joint Base Andrews and former records custodians at National Archives and Records Administration. Volunteer support and cemetery upkeep often involve veteran service organizations including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and groups affiliated with the Disabled American Veterans.

Visitor Information

Fort Washington National Cemetery is accessible from major routes including Maryland Route 210 and is served by regional transit connections to the Washington metropolitan area. Visitors can find information at the cemetery administration office and through the Department of Veterans Affairs outreach programs; rules for visitation, floral placement, and commemorative events align with practices seen at Arlington National Cemetery and other national cemeteries. Nearby attractions include Fort Washington Park, National Harbor, and historic sites along the Potomac River, offering context for heritage tourism and interpretive visits by groups such as the Civil War Trust and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Category:United States National Cemetery