Golden Gate National Cemetery burial schedule and eligibility

History of Golden Gate National Cemetery

Golden Gate National Cemetery was one of seven national cemeteries established during the expansion of the National Cemetery System between the World Wars, specifically in 1934–1939. This first major expansion since the Civil War was due to an increased veteran population, combined with the rapidly depleting burial space at existing national cemeteries. Locations for the cemeteries were chosen primarily on the basis of where veterans lived. The other interwar cemeteries are Baltimore, Maryland; Fort Bliss and Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Snelling, Minnesota; Fort Rosecrans, California; and Long Island, New York national cemeteries.

San Francisco National Cemetery, established in that city's Presidio in 1884 and in view of Golden Gate Bridge, was reaching capacity by the mid-1930s. In 1937 Congress authorized construction of a new national cemetery in the city's suburbs. San Bruno, 12 miles south, was selected. Instead of naming the cemetery after its location as was customary, Golden Gate was chosen; the misnomer has created confusion ever since. By the end of 1940, San Francisco National Cemetery was closed to burials.

The land occupied by Golden Gate National Cemetery originally belonged to a Native American group known as the "Buri Buri." The Spanish government acquired it around 1797. In 1827, the new Mexican government sold the land to José Antonio Sanchez, a decorated military officer known for his campaigns against Native tribes. His family retained the property after it became a U.S. territory, and by 1875 it was purchased by R.G. Sneath for a ranch. Thereafter it was sold to the Jersey Farm Company, which sold the approximately 162 acres to the federal government in 1938.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster began construction in June 1940 with assistance from the New Deal's Works Progress Administration (WPA), whose labor force graded the first four burial sections without heavy equipment. July 4, 1941 marked the cemetery's dedication, but the first three interments occurred on June 2, 1941. The cemetery has an L-shaped footprint with low-rolling hills interspersed with flat terrain features and a manmade mound that covers a reservoir where two large tracts intersect. The mound features a monumental flagpole circle and speaker's platform. The cemetery is distinguished by monumental entrance gates and a complex of buildings and structures built in a Mediterranean Revival style, completed in 1941. The symmetrical one-story granite buildings contain the administrative office, residential lodge, chapel, and maintenance functions. Golden Gate is one of seventy-eight VA national cemeteries that feature burial sections that use either upright headstones or flat grave markers.

Notable veterans buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration lists these people of note at Golden Gate National Cemetery, with section and site where it has them.

• 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:
• Major Edward A. Bennett (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, for actions near Heckhuscheid, Germany, February 1945. Bennett died in 1983 and is buried in Section 2B, Site 1071-A.
• Master Sergeant Vito R. Bertoldo (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 242nd Infantry, 42nd Infantry Division, for actions near Hatten, France, January 9–10, 1945. Bertoldo died in 1966 and is buried in Section C, Site 52-A.
• Lieutenant John Joseph Clausey. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy on board the U.S.S. Bennington for extraordinary heroism when a boiler exploded on the vessel at San Diego, CA, July 21, 1905. Clausey died in 1951 and is buried in Section C, Site 121-B.
• Corporal John O. Dahlgren (Boxer Rebellion). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for actions during the battle of Peking, China, June 20–July 16, 1900. Dahlgren died in 1963 and is buried in Section Z, Site 1950.
• First Lieutenant John Francis DeSwan (Spanish-American War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company H, 21st U.S. Infantry, for actions at Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898. DeSwan died in 1956 and is buried in Section R, Site 195-A.

Visiting hours at Golden Gate National Cemetery

Visitation Hours: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.