Burial at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific: A family guide

History of National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Few national cemeteries can compete with the dramatic natural setting of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The "Punchbowl" was formed some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago during the Honolulu period of secondary volcanic activity. A crater resulted from the ejection of hot lava through cracks in the old coral reefs which, at the time, extended to the foot of the Koolau Mountain Range.

Although there are various translations of the Punchbowl's Hawaiian name, "Puowaina," the most common is "Hill of Sacrifice." This translation closely relates to the history of the crater. The first known use was as an altar where Hawaiians offered human sacrifices to pagan gods and the killed violators of the many taboos. Later, during the reign of Kamehameha the Great, a battery of two cannons was mounted at the rim of the crater to salute distinguished arrivals and signify important occasions. Early in the 1880s, leasehold land on the slopes of the Punchbowl opened for settlement and in the 1930s, the crater was used as a rifle range for the Hawaii National Guard. Toward the end of World War II, tunnels were dug through the rim of the crater for the placement of shore batteries to guard Honolulu Harbor and the south edge of Pearl Harbor.

During the late 1890s, a committee recommended that the Punchbowl become the site for a new cemetery to accommodate the growing population of Honolulu. The idea was rejected for fear of polluting the water supply and the emotional aversion to creating a city of the dead above a city of the living.

Fifty years later, Congress authorized a small appropriation to establish a national cemetery in Honolulu with two provisions: that the location be acceptable to the War Department, and that the site would be donated rather than purchased. In 1943, the governor of Hawaii offered the Punchbowl for this purpose. The $50,000 appropriation proved insufficient, however, and the project was deferred until after World War II. By 1947, Congress and veteran organizations placed a great deal of pressure on the military to find a permanent burial site in Hawaii for the remains of thousands of World War II servicemen on the island of Guam awaiting permanent burial. Subsequently, the Army again began planning the Punchbowl cemetery; in February 1948 Congress approved funding and construction began.

Notable veterans buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 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:
• Captain Willibald C. Bianchi (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor for service in the U.S. Army, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, for actions near Bagac, Province of Bataan, Philippine Islands, February 3, 1942. He was captured in April 1942 and held as a prisoner of war. Bianchi died at sea, along with other prisoners on the Japanese transport ship, Enoura Maru, in January 1945. He is memorialized in Section MA, Site 39.
• Private Erwin Jay Boydston (Boxer Rebellion). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for actions in Peking, China, July 21–August 17, 1900. Boydston died in 1957 and is buried in Section G, Site 703.
• Private First Class William Robert Caddy (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in recognition of gallantry and self-sacrifice to protect others during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, March 3, 1945. Caddy is buried in Section C, Site 81.
• First Lieutenant George Ham Cannon (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Battery H, 6th Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in recognition of courageous disregard of his own condition during the bombardment of Sand Island, Midway Islands, December 7, 1941. Cannon was mortally wounded that day and is buried in Section C, Site 1644.
• Corporal Anthony Peter Damato (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Marine Corps, in recognition of gallantry and self-sacrifice that saved the lives of comrades on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshal Islands, February 19–20, 1944. Damato is buried in Section A, Site 334.
• Commander George Fleming Davis (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor as commanding officer of USS Walke (DD-723) covering minesweeping operations in preparation of the Lingayen Gulf invasion on January 6, 1945. That day, his ship was attacked by four Japanese suicide planes. The crew shot down the first two, but the third struck the ship's bridge where Davis was directing fire from. This plane enveloped the bridge in burning gasoline. Severely burned and injured, Davis rallied his men to save their ship and saw his crew destroy the fourth suicide plane. After assuring his ship was saved, he relinquished his post for medical attention and died shortly after. He was buried at sea. An "in memory of marker" is located in Section MA, Site 98-E.

Eligibility for burial at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

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: The cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day.

How to schedule a burial at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

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 National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific sits in the Hawaii cemetery system

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Hawaii. The cemetery is currently operating with limited burial availability. Families should verify status before planning.

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