Burial at San Antonio National Cemetery: A family guide

History of San Antonio National Cemetery

San Antonio National Cemetery is located in Bexar County, Texas. The Spanish first explored this region in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The town grew out of San Antonio de Béxar Presidio, which was founded in 1718 and the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, which became the capital of Spanish Texas in 1773. By 1778, the settlement had a population of more than 2,000, including Native Americans at the San Antonio de Valero Mission. Despite its status as a colonial capital, most visitors described the town as "miserable." Prominent factions in San Antonio aligned itself with Hidalgo's forces in the fight for Mexican independence. A number of Spanish government officials were subsequently captured and detained. Their victory, however, was short lived. After only one month, Royalist forces recaptured the city, killing and wounding much of San Antonio's population in the process.

During the Texas Revolution, 1835–1836, San Antonio was the site of several battles, including the siege of Bexar (December 1835) and the battle of the Alamo (March 6, 1836). With the establishment of the Republic of Texas in December 1836, Bexar County was organized and San Antonio was chartered as its seat. After Texas entered the Union in 1845, San Antonio experienced a period of rapid growth, as the city became a servicing and distribution center for the western settlement of the United States: a population of 3,488 in 1850 skyrocketed to 8,235 in 10 years. In 1861, local militia forced the surrender of the federal arsenal at San Antonio even before the state seceded on March 2, and San Antonio served out the Civil War as a Confederate depot.

The original national cemetery site, which was part of San Antonio's burying ground, was donated to the U.S. government by the city in 1867. The original deed was lost and the transfer never recorded, however. The city executed a new deed April 14, 1871, conveying approximately 1.89 acres of land to the United States. The first interments at San Antonio were the remains of Union soldiers removed from the city cemetery and outlying areas. Subsequent burials included unknown who had died on the western frontier. A total of 314 unknowns are buried in a common grave in Section H, marked with a monument inscribed "To the Unknown Dead."

San Antonio National Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Notable veterans buried at San Antonio National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at San Antonio 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:
• Private David Bennes Barkley (World War I). Texan David Bennes Barkley served in Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, U.S. Army during World War I. On November 9, 1918, Private Barkley volunteered to swim across the Meuse River to reconnoiter the enemy's location, but when returning, he drowned. Private Barkley received the Medal of Honor in 1919 and his remains were on view at the Alamo in 1921. It was only in 1989 that Barkley was recognized as the first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient. He is buried in Section G, Site 1302.
• Sergeant William H. Barnes (Civil War). William H. Barnes was born at St. Mary's County, Maryland, in 1841. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 11, 1864, at Norfolk, VA, and served in Company C, 38th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). During the Battle of New Market Heights, Virginia, on September 29, 1864, Private Barnes was among the first troops to enter the enemy works. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for this act of bravery. After the Civil War, Barnes and other USCT were stationed in Texas. Barnes was promoted to sergeant in July 1865, and after several months of detached service, he returned to post and contracted tuberculous. Barnes died December 24, 1866, and is memorialized in Section MA, Site 86.
• Sergeant William DeArmond (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry, in recognition of actions at the Upper Washita River, Texas, September 9–11, 1874. DeArmond is memorialized in Section MA, Site 89.
• Sergeant Frederick Deetline (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at the Little Big Horn River, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876. Deetline died in 1910 and is buried in Section F, Site 921.
• First Sergeant Henry Falcott (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company L, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Arizona Territory, from August to October 1868. Falcott died in 1910 and is buried in Section F, Site 918.
• Corporal John J. Givens (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company K, 6th U.S. Cavalry, in recognition of actions at the Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870. His citation was awarded under the name of Given. Corporal Givens is memorialized in Section MA, Site 88.

Eligibility for burial at San Antonio 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: Contact Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

How to schedule a burial at San Antonio 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 San Antonio National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where San Antonio National Cemetery sits in the Texas cemetery system

San Antonio National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Texas. 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 San Antonio National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.