Burial at Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition): A family guide

History of Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition)

Hampton National Cemetery is located in Hampton, VA, near Hampton Roads, in the vicinity of where the historic Civil War naval battle between the Confederate Merrimac/Virginia and the Union Monitor iron-clad ships occurred in 1862. The cemetery's first burials took place in 1862 and the cemetery is among numerous national cemeteries with origins that date to the Civil War.

The great number of sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War resulted in numerous military hospitals being set up near battle sites. A 1,800-bed military hospital was established at Fort Monroe, near Hampton. Although the Fort Monroe hospital was better staffed and organized than many Civil War hospitals, the mortality rate was high. Consequently, burials at Hampton National Cemetery included many soldiers who died at Fort Monroe and other military hospitals in the vicinity. Although burials began at the cemetery in 1862, it was not classified by the U.S. Government as a national cemetery until 1866. The legal transfer of 4.749 acres for the cemetery did not occur until 1868.

There are 638 unknowns soldiers buried at Hampton National Cemetery — most of them Civil War soldiers who fell in combat and were originally hastily buried on the battlefield. There are also 272 Confederate soldiers buried here at Hampton National Cemetery.

Hampton National Cemetery is one of 13 national cemeteries in which World War II prisoners of war are interred. There are 55 German and five Italian POWs buried in the Phoebus Addition section of Hampton National Cemetery, which is a noncontiguous tract of the cemetery.

Notable veterans buried at Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition)

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition), 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:
• Landsman Michael Cassidy (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Lackawanna during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864. Cassidy died in 1908 and is buried in Section B-P, Site 9503.
• Ordinary Seaman John Davis (Peacetime). African American sailor John Davis received the Medal of Honor on board USS Trenton (Steam Frigate) in Toulon, France, for jumping overboard to save the life of shipmate, Coxswain Augustus Ohlensen. He is buried in Section C-P, Site 8534.
• Coal Heaver James R. Garrison (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864. Garrison died in 1908 and is buried in Section B-P, Site 9523.
• Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton (Civil War). Alfred B. Hilton was about 21 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 11, 1863, in Baltimore, MD. Hilton served in Company H, 4th U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), as a bearer of the flag, or national standard. At the Battle of Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison, Virginia) on September 29, 1864, he seized the regimental colors when the color-sergeant fell. Sergeant Hilton struggled forward with both flags until severely wounded at the enemy's inner line. Hilton's right leg was amputated, and he died at Fort Monroe hospital on October 21, 1864. Hilton received the Medal of Honor posthumously in April 1865, and he is buried in Section E, Site 1231.
• Seaman Edward Madden. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for the rescue of a drowning shipmate while on board the USS Franklin in Lisbon, Portugal, February 9, 1876. His citation was awarded under the name Maddin. He died in 1925 and is buried in Section E, Site 1014A.
• First Lieutenant Harry J. Mandy (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company B, 4th New York Cavalry, for actions at Front Royal, VA, August 15, 1864. Mandy died in 1904 and is buried in Section C-P, Site 8709.

Eligibility for burial at Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition)

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 dawn to dusk. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

How to schedule a burial at Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition)

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 Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition) at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition) sits in the Virginia cemetery system

Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition) is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Virginia. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Hampton National Cemetery (Phoebus Addition) is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.