Great Lakes National Cemetery

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:

Corporal Thomas Powers (Indian Wars).

Powers (1848–1884) was born in New York City and enlisted in the U.S. Army from Detroit on April 17, 1867. He served during the Indian Wars in Company G, 1st U.S. Cavalry. In October 1869, during the Campaign of the Rocky Mesa, Powers and his fellow troopers were patrolling what would become the state of Arizona in search of the legendary Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise. On October 20th, Powers was involved in a sharp fight with some of Cochise's men who had ambushed a stagecoach. While few details have survived, Powers was credited with killing one warrior and recommended for the Medal of Honor due to his "gallantry in action." His medal was issued February 14, 1870 and he was discharged at Camp Bidwell, California in March 1872. He passed away in December 1884 in Juddville, MI. He was originally interred at Cummin Cemetery but now rests in Section 16, Site 272.

Private First Class Robert Ernest Simanek (Korean War).

Simanek was born in Detroit, Michigan and worked in the automobile industry before joining the Marine Corps in August 1951. He sailed for Korea less than a year later and joined Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, First Marine Division. On August 17, 1952, during the Battle of Bunker Hill (a prolonged series of battles for frontline outposts), PFC Simanek's unit was ambushed while moving to occupy Outpost Irene and forced to seek cover in a trench line. During the fighting, Simanek threw himself on an enemy grenade to save his comrades and was severely wounded. He was awarded for the Medal of honor for this action. He had previously earned two bronze stars for action in Korea. Simanek returned to the United States and was medically discharged. President Dwight Eisenhower presented him the Medal of Honor on October 27, 1953. He earned a degree in business management after his service. The Department of Navy named an expeditionary sea base in his honor, USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB-7) in 2021. He died on August 1, 2022 and is interred with his wife in Section 35, Site 341.

Other Burials Private First Class Allan C.

Barnes (Vietnam). Barnes (1949–2016) was a jazz saxophonist and Army veteran from Detroit. As a child, he developed a love of music from his uncles, who taught him to play a number of musical instruments, including the saxophone and flute. In 1967, after graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and received further musical training from the Naval School of Music. Upon completion of the school, he was deployed to Vietnam as part of the 4th Division Army Band. After receiving an honorable discharge in February 1970, Barnes returned to Detroit where he put together a band named The Blackbyrds. Barnes wrote two of their award-winning songs, "Summer Love" and "Walking in Rhythm," before forming Allan Barnes and Primetime. Throughout his life, he worked with many well-known artists and penned music for a number of television shows and commercials. He also created the show "Jazzland" on PBS. He rests in Section 13, Site 1473.

Sergeant Donald Robert Burgett (World War II.) Burgett (1925–2017) hailed from the west side of Detroit, MI.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of eighteen following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division as a rifleman and machine gunner. Burgett jumped into Normandy on June 5, 1944, and participated in Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Nordwind, earning three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal. After the war, Burgett wrote Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy (1967) which became a best seller. He went on to write three more popular books about his World War II experiences. The Post Office in Howell, MI was named in his honor. Burgett passed away in 2017 and now rests in Section 12B, Site 614.

Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class Lynn Everett Chandnois (World War II.) Lynn Chandnois (1923–2011) was born in Fayette, MI.

He moved to Flint to attend high school and upon graduation joined the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served two years in the Naval Air Corps during World War II and was discharged in 1946. After his military service, Chandnois attended Michigan State University, where he played football. Chandnois was voted MVP in 1948 and an All-American in 1949. After college he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played eight seasons until injuries caused him to retire in 1958. Chandnois still holds the Steelers record for returning two kick-offs for touchdowns in 1952. That same year he was voted to the NFL All-Pro team and was the NFL Player of the year. Following his football career, he returned to Michigan to live out the rest of his days. He is now rests in Section CC20, Row A, Site 70.

Steward's Mate First Class Petty Officer Clarence E.

Isabell, Jr. (World War II.) Isabell (1926-2015) was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. For three decades, he worked as a barber and also with Motown records as a musician playing the double bass. From 1959 through 1962, he was one of the first members of Motown's Funk Brothers, a group of musicians who backed most of the labels' groups during the 60's and 70's. Isabell was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in 2014 and now rests in Section CC11, Row D, Site 42.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson (World War II).

Alexander Jefferson (1921–2022) was born in Detroit, MI, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces in January 1944. He joined the 332nd Fighter Group, part of the "Tuskegee Airmen," and flew eighteen missions before he was shot down and captured on August 12, 1944. Jefferson spent eight months as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III, and was eventually freed on April 29, 1945. After the war, he became a science teacher with Detroit Public Schools and retired after more than three decades of service. His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Congressional Gold Medal. LTC Jefferson was also enshrined in the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame and was portrayed in the miniseries Masters of the Air. He passed away at the age of 100 and is interred in Section CW45, Row A, Site 50.

Flight Officer Russell C.

Nalle, Jr. (World War II). Nalle (1921–2025) was born in Detroit, to Russell Sr. and Carol Green Nalle. After graduating high school, he studied at Wayne University and worked for the Ford Motor Company. During World War II, Nalle enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and joined the Aviation Cadet Corps at Tuskegee Army Air Field for basic flight training. Nalle graduated on September 8, 1944, and became a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, an all-Black unit that served in the European Theater of Operations. Nalle later recalled of his wartime service, "I was a young guy, and it was an exciting adventure. I wouldn't have missed that experience for anything." After the war, Nalle worked in real estate and construction. He enjoyed listening to jazz music and watching classic films, and held a life-long fascination with astronomy. He now rests in Section Col-D, Row W58, Site A4.

Lieutenant Colonel Donald Eugene Odell (Korea, Vietnam.) "Digger" Odell (1934–2020) was born in Pontiac, MI.

He studied at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Maryland. Digger joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served at several Air Force bases before serving as an F-105 pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam. Odell was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. He was captured and spent nearly six years (1,967 days) in captivity. Odell was placed in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" where he was isolated and tortured. He was released in 1973 and remained in the Air Force until his retirement in 1975. He chronicled his experiences in the book POW. Odell's decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with "V" device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, two Purple Hearts, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 11 Bronze Battle Stars, and the Prisoner of War Medal. He is interred in Section 15, Site 440.