Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Calverton National Cemetery
Calverton National Cemetery is located in eastern Long Island between the towns of Manorville and Riverhead in Suffolk County. When the National Cemetery System constructed Calverton National Cemetery in 1978, the cemetery became the third national cemetery to be located on Long Island. The other national cemeteries situated on Long Island were Cypress Hills National Cemetery, in Brooklyn, New York, which was established in 1862 and Long Island National Cemetery, in Farmingdale, New York, established in 1936. St. Albans National Cemetery was established in Queens, New York in 2025.
In 1974, Long Island National Cemetery was the only national cemetery on Long Island with available space for first interment burials — but its maximum burial capacity was soon to be exhausted. As a result, plans were developed by the National Cemetery System to construct a new regional cemetery to serve the greater New York area — home, then, to nearly three million Veterans and their dependents. On December 7, 1977, a 902-acre tract of land was transferred from the U.S. Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant at Calverton to the Veterans Administration for use as a national cemetery. A later land transfer from the naval installation brought the national cemetery to 1,045 acres.
The National Cemetery System realized that Calverton National Cemetery would become one of its more active cemeteries. For that reason, they designed and built a feature called a committal "wheel" of shelters that permits multiple burial services to be held simultaneously. To the left of the main cemetery entrance, around the Veteran's Circle, are seven committal shelters. After the funeral service, the caskets are moved into the hub of the wheel and then transported to their respective gravesites. Calverton is one of the largest, and one of the most active national cemeteries currently overseen by the National Cemetery Administration.
Monuments and Memorials Calverton National Cemetery features a memorial walkway lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's Veterans. As of 2026, there are 28 memorials commemorating the service and sacrifice of our nation's Veterans.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Calverton National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
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:
Lieutenant Michael P.
Murphy (Afghanistan). He was a U.S. Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in Afghanistan during Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy is buried in Section 67, Site 3710.
Other Burials A Pennsylvania native of Polish descent, Francis S.
Gabreski enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1940. During World War I, Col. Gabreski flew with the Royal Air Force 315th Squadron of Polish pilots and, once the United States declared war, the U.S. 61st Fighter Squadron. Gabreski's tactical skills and courage earned him the title, "America's Greatest Living Ace." With thirty victories to his credit in 1944 and awaiting orders for leave, he volunteered for one more mission. He crashed and was captured, and held at Stalag Luft I prisoner-of-war camp for Allied airmen until March 1945. He briefly left service in 1946, but reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and served in Korea. Highly decorated and respected, he retired in 1967. Col. Gabreski died January 31, 2002 .
Section 14, Site 724
South Carolinian Isaac Woodard (1919–1992) enlisted in the U.S.
Army in 1942. Sergeant Woodard served in the Pacific Theater of World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. In uniform, he boarded a bus for home and, en route, was brutally attacked and blinded. Woodard was one of many black servicemen who experienced discrimination and violence, but his case sparked a national outcry. The NAACP sought justice, musicians immortalized the travesty, and Orson Welles unmasked Woodard's attacker — police chief Lynwood Shull — on his radio show. Yet no charges were filed until President Harry Truman ordered an investigation. The jury acquitted Shull in less than a half hour. In response, Truman established a Civil Rights Commission and desegregated the military. In 2019, the city of Batesville, where Woodard was attacked, placed a historic marker that includes text in Braille about what happened there. Woodard is buried in Section 15, Site 2180.
Eligibility for burial at Calverton 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.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
Take the Long Island Expressway East (495) to Exit 68 (William Floyd Pkwy). Then take William Floyd Pkwy North to Route 25 East. The cemetery entrance is on the left in approximately four miles.
The nearest airport is Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip and travel time to the cemetery is about 30 minutes. JFK and LaGuardia are approximately 70 miles from the cemetery, making travel time approximately 90 minutes in local area traffic.
Floral and grounds policy
Visitors to Calverton National Cemetery are reminded of its solemn purpose and asked to act in a dignified manner while on cemetery grounds.
You may place flowers on your loved ones' graves throughout the year.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
We are developing educational content for this national cemetery, and will post new materials as they become available. Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
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Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Calverton National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Long Island National Cemetery — Farmingdale, NY (33 mi · unknown)
- Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery — Middletown, CT (44 mi · open)
- St. Albans National Cemetery — Queens, NY (52 mi · unknown)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Calverton National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Rocky Point Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 603 Route 25A in ROCKY POINT, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including crescent memorial showroom. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,840. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,895, while direct cremation is available from $2,840. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, and All religions and cultures (as stated by the funeral home).
Mclaughlin Heppner Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 336 Marcy Ave. in Riverhead, NY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,250.
Casimir Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 4839 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including catered events. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and body donation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,950. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,950. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Hispanic Traditions, Qingming Festival, Hindu, Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Jewish, Black Traditions, Chung Yeung Festival, and Día de los Muertos.
McManus-Lorey Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2084 Horseblock Road in Medford, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing chapels, arrangement office, and victorian decorated receiving area. Professional offerings include pre-planning, grief resources, and traditional funeral, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $4,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,195, while direct cremation is available from $4,195. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,695. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($1,695) and use of facilities for viewing ($995). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Roman Catholic.
Bryant Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 411 Old Town Road in East Setauket, NY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,611.
DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes - Mattituck is a premier funeral home located at 13805 Route 25 in Mattituck, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapels, parking facilities, and off-street parking. Professional offerings include traditional funerals, cremation services, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,099. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,245, while direct cremation is available from $2,099. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopal, and Greek Orthodox.
Coster-Heppner Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 336 Marcy Avenue in Riverhead, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, lobby, and children's area. Professional offerings include funeral services, preplanning, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,985. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,500, while direct cremation is available from $1,985. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ, and Pentecostal.
Branch Funeral Home Smithtown is a premier funeral home located at 190 East Main St. in Smithtown, NY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site reception centers, chapels, and ample parking. Professional offerings include cremation services, burial services, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,695. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $1,695, while direct cremation is available from $2,910. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish and Catholic.