Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Florida National Cemetery
Florida National Cemetery is located in the Withlacoochee State Forest, approximately 50 miles north of Tampa in Sumter County, FL. Withlacoochee State Forest was acquired by the federal government from private landowners between 1936 and 1939 under the provisions of the U.S. Land Resettlement Administration. The U.S. Forest Service managed the property until a lease-purchase agreement transferred it to the Florida Board of Forestry in 1958. Currently, Withlacoochee State Forest is the second-largest state forest in Florida, divided into eight distinct tracts of land.
In 1842, Congress encouraged settlement here by establishing the Armed Occupation Act. The law granted a patent for 160 acres to any man who kept a gun and ammunition, built a house, cultivated five acres of the land and remained there for at least five years. Settlers moved in to take advantage of the generous offer. The area contained abundant timber and suitable farmland, appealing attributes to frontiersmen. In 1845 Florida was granted statehood.
During the Civil War, a sugar mill on the Homosassa River supplied sugar to the Confederacy. A robust citrus-growing industry developed in the eastern part of the area and became a focus of intense economic expansion soon after the war.
In 1980, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it would establish a new national cemetery in Florida, its fourth. Two major locations for the cemetery were studied: Cross Florida Barge Canal and Withlacoochee State Forest. The Withlacoochee site, though more environmentally sensitive, was supported by government officials. On February 15, 1983, the state transferred land to the VA for the development of a Florida National Cemetery. The first interment was in 1988.
Monument and Memorials The cemetery features a Memorial Pathway that is lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's veterans. As of April 2018, there were 51 such memorials at Florida National Cemetery—most commemorating soldiers and veterans of 20th-century conflicts.
The American Veterans (AMVETS) donated a carillon on October 9, 1993, which is located in the open meadow adjacent to the original administration building. The main assembly area is adorned with an open colonnade where Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies are held.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Florida 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:
Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Richard Charette (Korea).
Born in Michigan in 1932, William Richard Charette enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951, trained as a hospital corpsman, and went to Korea with the 1st Marine Division in 1953. A career sailor, Charette received the Medal of Honor for actions during a counterattack on "Vegas Hill" on March 27. He tended to the wounded, gave his battle vest to another soldier, and exposed himself to enemy fire to save others. In 1958, on board the U.S.S. Canberra, he selected the remains of an unknown World War II serviceman to be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Charette retired in 1977. The health center at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, is named for him. He died March 18, 2012, and is buried in Section 104, Site 173.
Corporal Duane Edgar Dewey (Korea).
Born on November 16, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MI, Dewey enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and embarked to Korea in 1951. Corporal Dewey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 16, 1952, while serving as a gunner in a machine-gun platoon of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy forces near Panmunjom. When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner were receiving medical attention for their wounds during a fierce night attack by numerically superior hostile forces, Dewey, although suffering intense pain, immediately pulled the corpsman to the ground and, shouting a warning to the other Marines around him, covered the grenade with his body. He absorbed the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from possible injury or death. Corporal Dewey died on October 11, 2021, and is interred in Section MOH, Site 2.
Master Sergeant James R.
Hendrix (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, for actions near Assenois, Belgium, December 26, 1944. Hendrix died in 2002 and is buried in Section MOH, Site 1.
Sergeant Major Franklin D.
Miller (Vietnam). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, for actions in the Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, January 5, 1970. Miller died in 2000 and is memorialized in Section ML, Site 1.
Other Burials Major David Moniac, (2nd Seminole War) LT 6th U.S.
Infantry Alabama Mounted Creek Volunteers, First Native American Graduate USMA Class of 1822, KIA Wahoo Swamp, December 25, 1802–November 21, 1836 .
Section MD, Site 1
First Lieutenant Thomas Buchanan (Civil War), October 7, 1825–June 13, 1863 .
Section MD, Site 39
Private Albert J.
Emery (Spanish American War) 7th U.S. Cavalry, 14th Division, September 15, 1877–August 30, 1957 .
Section 103, Site 383
MSGT Alfred Alonzo, Sr., (Korea) U.S.
Army, assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. MSGT Alonzo was reported missing November 2, 1950 near Unsan, North Korea, and was presumed dead three years later. His remains and those of 10 other American soldiers were discovered in the year 2000 after a North Korean farmer told authorities he had uncovered human remains he believed to be Americans. A team of representatives from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, excavated the burial site and uncovered the remains of at least 10 individuals. Through DNA testing at the JPAC, MSGT Alonzo's remains were identified, and his family notified. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and his headstone also states killed in Action (KIA), World War II (WWII) and Korea. MSGT was buried on November 10, 2006 .
Section 402, Site 53-A
Mike Holovak (World War II) U.S.
Navy, Skipper of PT Boat in the South Pacific credited with sinking nine Japanese ships; retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Prior to joining the Navy, Holovak was an All-American football player at Boston College; he was starting fullback on the college's 1941 Sugar Bowl championship team and set the rushing record during the 1943 Orange Bowl game, which remains unbroken. After the war, he played professional football for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. He went on to coach at Boston College and later was named the second head coach of the Boston Patriots. He went on to hold administrative positions with other professional football teams until his retirement in 1998. Holovak was buried on January 30, 2008 .
Section 327, Site 949
Eligibility for burial at Florida 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
From Tampa International Airport. Follow signs to 275 north. Proceed on 275 north to Interstate 75. Travel approximately 50 miles to Exit 309 (Webster), which places you on county road 476B West. Cemetery is on the left about 1 mile.
Floral and grounds policy
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial are limited to three for casket burials and one for cremation burials. Flowers will be removed when they become unsightly or it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
A limited number of floral containers are located in bins in front of the burial sections — they are available as a courtesy. These containers are recycled — please do not remove them from the cemetery. Metal flower stands are no longer authorized at the gravesites due to safety concerns.
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 Florida National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Atlantic Garden Veteran Cemetery — Aguadilla, PR (51 mi · open)
- Bay Pines National Cemetery — St. Petersburg, FL (65 mi · unknown)
- Cape Canaveral National Cemetery — Mims, FL (82 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Florida National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Chas E. Davis Funeral Home Funeral Home and Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 3075 S. Florida Ave in Inverness, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, two chapels, and four visitation rooms. Professional offerings include preplanning, earth burial, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,155. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,155. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant/General Christian.
Wilder Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 4890 South Suncoast Boulevard in Homosassa, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Qingming Festival (Chinese tradition), Hindu, Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Jewish, Black Funeral Traditions, Chung Yeung Festival (Chinese tradition), and Día de los Muertos (Mexican tradition).
Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 914 West Main Street in Leesburg, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, hillcrest memorial gardens, and jewish garden. Professional offerings include cemetery arrangements, cremation, and funeral arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,295. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish and All Religions (general accommodation). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 124 reviews.
BECKER FUNERAL HOME, INC is a premier funeral home located at 806 W. MINNEOLA AVE. in Clermont, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on_site_chapel, viewing_rooms, and reception_space. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and pre_planning_services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.3-star Google rating across 37 reviews.
Loyless Funeral Homes - Land O' Lakes is a premier funeral home located at 5310 Land O' Lakes Blvd in Land O' Lakes, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including multiple chapels, chapel, and audio visual equipment. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,680. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,670, while direct cremation is available from $1,680. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Methodist, and All faiths (general statement from website).
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services - Belleview is a premier funeral home located at 5946 Southeast Robinson Road in Belleview, FL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,660, while direct cremation is available from $3,355.
Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations is a premier funeral home located at 226 East Burleigh Boulevard in Tavares, FL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, funeral home, and cemetery. Professional offerings include funeral arrangements, cremation arrangements, and cemetery arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,295. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Reformed (Independent), Presbyterian (PCUSA), United Methodist, and All Religions (as stated by Lakeside Memory Gardens).
Loyless Funeral Homes - Arrangement Center is a premier funeral home located at 19651 Bruce B Downs Boulevard Suite E-2 in Tampa, FL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 37 reviews.