Burial at Fort Bayard National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Fort Bayard National Cemetery

Fort Bayard is located in southwestern New Mexico adjacent to the Gila National Forest. The site was chosen in 1863 for its springs and commanding view of the Apache war trails surrounding the nearby mining camps. In 1866, a permanent post was established here with the primary responsibility for protecting the Pinos Altos gold camp. The post was named Fort Bayard in honor of General G.D. Bayard, who died from wounds received during the Battle of Fredericksburg, and who had served in New Mexico and Arizona prior to the Civil War. The U.S. Army launched numerous attacks against the Apache from Fort Bayard during the 1870–1880s, which ended only with the surrender of the Apache Chief Geronimo.

The first known interment at Fort Bayard was Sergeant David H. Boyd of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, buried October 10, 1866. In 1899, the Army deactivated Fort Bayard and established it as a tuberculosis hospital and research center. In 1922, the hospital was transferred to the Veterans Bureau, which became part of the new Veterans Administration in 1930. Fort Bayard Cemetery was established the same year, and became part of the National Cemetery System in 1973 when its administration was transferred from the Department of the Army to the Veterans Administration. In the 1990s, the state of New Mexico donated 3.95 acres to the cemetery.

Fort Bayard National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 2002.

Notable veterans buried at Fort Bayard National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Sergeant Alonzo Bowman (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 6th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at Cibicu Creek, Arizona Territory, August 30, 1881. He died in 1885 and is buried in Section A, Row I, Site 31.
• Sergeant John Schnitzer (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Troop G, 4th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at Horseshoe Canyon, New Mexico Territory, April 23, 1882. Schnitzer died in 1904 and is buried in Section AO, Site 43.
• Other Burials One of the most important civilians buried at Fort Bayard is Walter Foote Sellers, author of the poem, "The Kneeling Nun." He was the stepson of retired Brigadier General Walter I. Duggan. On his headstone is engraved "Ah, Me, the World Seems Lonelier Today."
• In the civilian section of the cemetery near the fence on the east side is also buried John William Richmond Kennedy, who died at St. Joseph's sanitarium, Silver City, NM on March 14, 1914. He was the eldest son of the Honorable William Rann Kennedy, Knt. P.C. of England.
• The first burial at the Post cemetery with positive identification was Sergeant David H. Boyd, Company M, 3rd U. S. Cavalry, October 10, 1866. One other, who is recorded as an "Unknown," preceded it.
• New Mexico native Thomas P. Foy (1914–2011) graduated from the University of Notre Dame (IN) in the late 1930s and began to practice law. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1941 and went to the Philippine Islands. First Lieutenant Foy was in the Pacific that December when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. He was captured in April 1942 and was among the more than 70,000 Filipino and U.S. troops marched 60 miles across the Bataan Peninsula. Foy survived 44 months in a POW camp before being rescued; he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other commendations for his service. As a civilian Foy married and returned to his legal career. He was elected as county district attorney in 1949–1956 and to the state legislature in 1970–1998. Foy died October 6 and is buried in Section F, Row R, Site 15.

Eligibility for burial at Fort Bayard National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day. VA will continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend at all open VA national cemeteries.

How to schedule a burial at Fort Bayard National Cemetery

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Fort Bayard National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Fort Bayard National Cemetery sits in the New Mexico cemetery system

Fort Bayard National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in New Mexico. The cemetery is currently accepting new in-ground and columbarium interments. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Fort Bayard National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.