United States Naval Academy Cemetery

United States Naval Academy Cemetery is a historic cemetery located on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River. The cemetery has served as the final resting place for numerous notable United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel, including Medal of Honor recipients, NASA astronauts, and superintendents of the United States Naval Academy. Many of the interred have connections to significant events, such as the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The cemetery is also the resting place for individuals who have served on notable ships, including the USS Constitution, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

● History

The cemetery was established in 1868, during the American Civil War, when the United States Naval Academy was still a relatively new institution, having been founded in 1845. The first interment was that of Oscar Bullus, a United States Navy officer who died in 1868. Over the years, the cemetery has expanded to accommodate the remains of thousands of United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel, including those who served in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many of the interred have connections to notable events, such as the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Battle of the Bulge. The cemetery is also the final resting place for individuals who have served with distinguished units, including the United States Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and the Naval Special Warfare Command.

● Notable Interments

The cemetery is the final resting place for numerous notable individuals, including John McCain, William Halsey Jr., Chester Nimitz, Ernest King, and Hyman Rickover. Other notable interments include NASA astronauts Alan Shepard and Wally Schirra, who were also United States Navy officers. The cemetery is also the resting place for Medal of Honor recipients, such as Michael Murphy and Lorenzo Carter, as well as Distinguished Service Medal recipients, including William Sims and Raymond Spruance. Many of the interred have connections to significant institutions, including the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. The cemetery is also the final resting place for individuals who have served with notable organizations, including the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

● Layout and Facilities

The cemetery is situated on a 16.7-acre site, overlooking the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay. The cemetery is divided into several sections, including a United States Naval Academy section, a United States Marine Corps section, and a section for Medal of Honor recipients. The cemetery also features several memorials, including the United States Naval Academy Memorial, the United States Marine Corps Memorial, and the Medal of Honor Memorial. The cemetery is maintained by the United States Naval Academy and is open to the public for visitation. Many visitors come to pay their respects to the interred, including those who have served on notable ships, such as the USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Missouri (BB-63), and USS Iowa (BB-61).

● Regulations and Procedures

The cemetery is subject to regulations and procedures established by the United States Naval Academy and the United States Department of the Navy. Eligibility for interment is limited to United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel, as well as their spouses and dependents. The cemetery also has specific rules regarding the types of headstones and markers that can be used, as well as the placement of flowers and other decorations. The cemetery is also subject to the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides support and resources for the cemetery. Many of the interred have connections to significant events and institutions, including the Battle of Gettysburg, World War I, World War II, and the United States Naval Academy Museum. The cemetery is a place of reverence and respect, where visitors can come to honor the memory of those who have served their country, including those who have served with distinguished units, such as the United States Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and the Naval Special Warfare Command.