Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery is the sixth national cemetery in Texas and the 118th in the national cemetery system.
Currently, more than 1.5 million veterans live in the state of Texas and approximately 460,000 reside in the cemetery's service area. The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery has developed 152 acres of the 638-acre cemetery providing 85,778 casketed sites and 31,918 columbaria/garden niches for cremated remains. Fully developed, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will provide burial space for 280,000 eligible veterans and dependents.
Monuments and Memorials Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery features a memorial walkway lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's veterans, donated by various organizations. As of 2011, there were 54 memorials at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery — most commemorating events and troops of the 20th century wars.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Dallas-Fort Worth 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:
Sergeant Candelario Garcia (Vietnam).
Candelario Garcia, a native of Texas, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963, and was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, also referred to as the Big Red One during the Vietnam War. On March 14, 2014, Sergeant Garcia received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above the call of duty. While acting as team leader, Garcia initiated an attempt to aid wounded comrades and opened himself to enemy fire. He eliminated two enemy machine-gun positions on December 8, 1968 near Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam. Garcia died January 10, 2013, and is buried in Section 107, Site 209.
Colonel James L.
Stone (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, for actions near Sokkogae, Korea, on November 21–22, 1951. Stone died in 2012 and is buried in Section 76, Site 1658L.
Other Burials Cloyde Pinson, Sr., Founder of the Texas National Cemetery Foundation .
Section 76, Site 1702B
Private First Class William Blair Jr.
was born in 1921 in Dallas. He served in the army, and it is said he was the youngest African American to serve as first sergeant in World War II. In 1946 he pitched on Negro League baseball teams the Indianapolis Clowns and Detroit Stars. In 1949, he founded Southwest Sports News, which published college athletics nationwide. Later it was reformatted to become Elite News, with a focus on political, social and economic topics important to the North Texas black community. For his athletic, journalistic, and civil rights accomplishments, the City of Dallas renamed Rochester Park "William 'Bill' Blair Jr. Park" in 2011. Blair donated his business papers and Negro League memorabilia to the University of Texas at Arlington. He died April 20, 2014, and is buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery .
Section 91, Site 585
Bobbie Joe Cavnar was the 22-year-old pilot of the big four-engine Douglas C-54 that rescued a stranded crew of the wrecked B-29 "Kee Bird" from the far northwest tip of Greenland in February 1947.
Cavnar landed his transport plane on a small frozen glacial lake near the wreck. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions and personally congratulated by President Harry S. Truman. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1964. .
Section 11, Site 99
Gunner's Mate Third Class Glenn Edward McDuffie served in the Navy during World War II and he claimed to be the American sailor kissing a nurse in the famous Life magazine image "V-J Day in Times Square" by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.
After the war McDuffie became a mail carrier and semi-professional baseball player. Several years before McDuffie died, Houston Police Department forensic artist Lois Gibson confirmed that McDuffie was the famous kissing sailor. He died March 9, 2014, and is buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery .
Section 178, Site 281
Born in Lake City, FL, George Allen Summerall, Jr., (1930–2013) was a gifted athlete.
He played football, basketball, baseball, and tennis, and found success in all four sports during high school. Summerall played collegiate sports for the University of Arkansas and professional football for teams in Detroit, Chicago, and New York from 1952 to 1961. Summerall's athletic career was interrupted by military service after he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955. When he retired from the field, Summerall became a radio and television sports announcer and covered football as well as golf and tennis. For more than a decade, Summerall worked beside colorful former football coach John Madden as they defined the sport-broadcasting medium. When he died in Dallas, the army private and sports veteran was buried in Columbarium D, Court 1, Site D79.
Eligibility for burial at Dallas-Fort Worth 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
Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of Dallas, Texas, midway between Interstate 20 and Interstate 30 just off Spur 408. From Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport take the airport road to Highway 183 (west) to Highway 360 (south) until and proceed (south) to Interstate 20. Travel (east) on Interstate 20 to Mountain Creek Parkway exit. Proceed (north) on Mountain Creek Parkway approximately four miles to the cemetery. If Mountain Creek Parkway is closed at the Interstate 20 exit, please continue taking Interstate-20 (east) to Spur 408. Take 408 (north) to Kiest exit (west). Take Kiest (west) to stop light at Mountain Creek Parkway and turn right (north); cemetery is one mile to your right.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Please limit your gravesite arrangements to one arrangement for cremation sites and two arrangements for casketed sites.
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 Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Seaman First Class Billy Turner Veterans Cemetery — Ardmore, OK (100 mi · open)
- Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen — Killeen, TX (126 mi · open)
- Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene — Abilene, TX (162 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2951 South Beltline Rd. in Grand Prairie, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, coffee lounge, and pet friendly. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,195. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Muslim Funeral Traditions.
North Texas Funerals & Cremation is a premier funeral home located at 2735 S. Great Southwest Pkwy in Grand Prairie, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including elegant interior spaces, chapel, and parlor. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and funerals, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,275, while direct cremation is available from $1,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Jewish.
Brown's Memorial Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 707 North Macarthur Boulevard in Irving, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including staterooms, memorial chapel, and reception area. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, burial services, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,815. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,800, while direct cremation is available from $1,815. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Non-denominational Christian, and Church of Christ.
Sandra Clark Funeral Directors is a premier funeral home located at 6029 South R.L. Thornton Fwy. in Dallas, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory and offices. Professional offerings include cremation, pre-planning, and funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,500. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,400, while direct cremation is available from $3,500. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.0-star Google rating across 117 reviews.
West-Hurtt Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 217 South Hampton Road in Desoto, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel. Professional offerings include funeral service, cremation, and traditional burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,895, while direct cremation is available from $1,595. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and Catholic.
Calvary Hill Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 3235 Lombardy Lane in Dallas, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, modern funeral home, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,085, while direct cremation is available from $2,795. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish.
Hughes Family Tribute Center is a premier funeral home located at 9700 Webb Chapel Road in Dallas, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including family tribute center, life celebration center, and onsite crematory. Professional offerings include life celebrations, funerals, and burials, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $7,225, while direct cremation is available from $1,195. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Hindu and Buddhist.
Byrum Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 425 North Dallas Ave. in Lancaster, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and staterooms. Professional offerings include funerals, burials, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,245, while direct cremation is available from $2,095.