Dayton National Cemetery
Dayton National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio. It encompasses 116.8 acres (47.3 ha) and as of July 18, 2019, had 55,359 interments.[1] In January, 2014, it was one of only fourteen cemeteries to be designated as a national shrine.[2] A new 2,000 niche columbarium was dedicated on July 24, 2014. It is one of a few National Cemeteries with their own Honor Squad. Since its formation, unless refused by family, no veteran has been buried without a Rifle Salute in addition to "Taps" and the folding and presentation of the Flag.
 The Soldiers' Monument at Dayton National Cemetery | |
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1867 |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Type | United States National Cemetery |
| Size | 116.8 acres (47.3 ha) |
| No. of graves | 49,751 |
| Website | Dayton National Cemetery |
| Find a Grave | Dayton National Cemetery |
History
The cemetery was established in 1867 as a place to inter veterans who died while under the care of the Central Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and Seamen, located in Dayton. It was the third such home authorized by Abraham Lincoln before his death. The first interment, of Civil War veteran Cornelius Solly, was on September 11, 1867. The National Asylum became part of the newly formed Department of Veterans Affairs in 1930 and evolved into today's Dayton VA Medical Center. The cemetery was administered as part of the medical center until 1973, when it was transferred to the National Cemetery Administration.[1]
It has the remains of veterans from every major conflict the United States has been involved in dating back to the American Revolutionary War. 650 Colored Troops are interred at Dayton National Cemetery, one of the largest collection of Colored Troops' graves which links the cemetery even further with Lincoln since he authorized the creation of Colored Troops units.
Noteworthy monuments
- The Dayton Soldiers' Monument was constructed between 1873 and 1877. It is a 30-foot (9.1 m) marble column on a granite base. Dedicated by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
- A memorial to 33 soldiers of the War of 1812 buried in this cemetery. A bronze plaque on a boulder.
- A memorial to all Masonic Veterans was erected in 2018. Dedicated by Eric R. Schau, Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
Notable interments
- Henry W. Downs, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the American Civil War[1]
- Big Joe Duskin, American blues and boogie-woogie pianist
- Oscar Wadsworth Field, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Spanish–American War[1]
- George Geiger, Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of Little Bighorn during the Indian Wars[1]
- Joe Henderson, jazz saxophonist
- Tommy Henrich, Major League Baseball player
- John H. James, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Civil War[1]
- Stubby Magner, Major League Baseball player[1]
- Christian Null, Revolutionary War Soldier
- Marsena R. Patrick, U.S. Army general[1]
- Charles A. Taggart, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Civil War[1]
- Johnnie Wilder Jr., R&B/funk vocalist
- Paul P. Yoder, Ohio Lieutenant Governor (1937 - 1939)
- Other interments
- One British Commonwealth war grave, of a Canadian Army Corporal (died 1947)[3]
References
- Holt, Dean W. (2010). American Military Cemeteries. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 77–80. ISBN 9780786440238.
- "Dayton cemetery named a national shrine". Daytondailynews.com. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
- "Casualty Details". CWGC. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
External links
- A Nation Repays Its Debt:The National Soldiers' Home and Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan
- Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) No. OH-3, "Dayton National Cemetery, 4100 West Third Street, Dayton, Montgomery, OH"
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dayton National Cemetery