Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Mare Island Naval Cemetery
Mare Island Naval Cemetery is the oldest naval cemetery west of the Mississippi River. It was constructed by the Department of the Navy shortly after it began operating the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1854. Burials began at this hillside cemetery in 1856 and continued until 1921. Among the approximately 900 interred there are the daughter of Francis Scott Key, three Medal of Honor Recipients, and six Russian sailors who were laid to rest during the Civil War era.
The cemetery is located within the former shipyard, which officially closed on March 31, 1996, under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). The Navy transferred most of the installation's 5,000-acre peninsula to the City of Vallejo in 2002, including the cemetery.
The cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Mare Island Naval Ammunition Depot Historic District.
In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, took responsibility for administration and maintenance of Mare Island Naval Cemetery following the facility's transfer from the City of Vallejo, California.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Mare Island Naval 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:
James Cooney, USMC, who received the Medal of Honor for bravery in the presence of the enemy during the Chinese Boxer Rebellion in Tientsin, China on July 13, 1900.
LDS John Enright, (1864–1889) was a second-generation American born in Lynn, Massachusetts.
In January of 1886 he was serving on board the USS Ranger off Ensenada, Mexico. The ship was conducting a hydrographic survey when it was suddenly caught in a violent storm. During the storm, two shipmates fell into the shark-infested waters. Enright jumped and rescued both men from drowning, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Sadly, Enright just three years later trying to save another life. At the time, Enright was part of the crew of the steamer Albatross. While on leave, he and a few other men in a supply boat were headed to shore at Vallejo, California, when the small boat became tangled with the anchor chain of another vessel and overturned. One of those on board was a boy who only had one leg. Enright attempted to save the boy's life, but drowned in the process. His remains were recovered nearly a month later.
Section C, Row 12, Site 72.
William Halford, U.S.
Navy, who rescued the side-wheel steamer, USS Saginaw. On October 29, 1870, Saginaw became shipwrecked there and with no hope of rescue, five crewmembers volunteered to convert the captain's gig into a sailboat and sail it to obtain rescue for the 87 ship's crew that remained. Coxswain Halford was one of the volunteers. The men endured three gale-force Pacific storms with winds exceeding 40 knots, waves of more than 18 feet, and 1,500 miles at sea in a small boat, but their rations spoiled leaving them weak, sick, and near starvation. After 31-days the small boat reached Kauai and the boat overturned in the large surf as they attempted to land. Unfortunately, Halford was the only survivor and although he suffered a crushed knee, he made it ashore and was able to engage a small schooner to take him to Honolulu where he reported the wreck of the Saginaw. Hawaiian King Kamehameha V dispatched his steamer to rescue the marooned sailors and it arrived at Kure on January 3, 1871. The wreck of the Saginaw and the saga of its crew's rescue was widely reported at the time, Halford became a national hero, he was promoted to the rank of Acting Gunner, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor on February 8, 1872.
Alexander Parker, U.S.
Navy, who attempted to save a shipmate from drowning at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on July 25, 1876. He was serving in the U.S. Navy as a boatswain's mate on the USS Portsmouth. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9, 1876.
Other Burials Anna Arnold Key Turner — daughter of Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star-Spangled Banner" — is buried there in a grave whose monument says, "The children arise and call her blessed." She had eleven children with her husband, David Turner and served as one of Vallejo's first public school teachers.
She passed away in 1884. David preceded her in death in 1860 and is buried beside her. He was a Congressional representative from North Carolina, where his father was governor, when he met Anna. He accompanied Farragut to Mare Island in 1854 and worked as the supervising civil engineer. Some of the buildings he built still stand.
Eligibility for burial at Mare Island Naval 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.
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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
Mare Island Naval Cemetery is in Vallejo, California. The closest major airport is Oakland International Airport (OAK). This airport has international and domestic flights from Oakland, California and is 42 miles from the cemetery.
From Oakland International Airport (OAK): Depart and head southeast on Airport Drive, heading towards Downtown Oakland. Take the ramp on the right for I-880 N and head towards Downtown Oakland. Exit 46B, head right on the ramp for I-80 E / I-580 W towards Sacramento / San Rafael. Keep left to get onto I-80 E. Exit 29A, head on the ramp right and follow signs for CA-29. Turn left onto Curtola Pkwy. Road name changes to Mare Island Causeway. Turn left onto Mare Island Causeway. Continue on G St. Turn left onto Azuar Dr. at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit for Azuar Dr. Keep straight to get onto Nereus St. Road name changes to Railroad. Turn right onto O'Hara Ct.
Floral and grounds policy
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves and in the gravel, areas surrounding the columbarium and memorial walls at any time and will be removed once they become unsightly. In addition, all items placed on gravesites can be removed to accommodate grounds maintenance to include removal of artificial flowers. Floral pickup is conducted every Wednesday of each month along with daily pick up of faded or unsightly arrangements and other items.
Cemetery furnished temporary flower cones are available and located throughout the cemetery in specially marked containers.
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 Mare Island Naval Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery — Benicia, CA (7 mi · closed)
- San Francisco National Cemetery — San Francisco, CA (22 mi · closed)
- Sacramento Valley National Cemetery — Dixon, CA (31 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Mare Island Naval Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Sunset View Cemetery Association is a premier funeral home located at 101 Colusa Avenue in El Cerrito, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery, reception hall, and newly renovated facility. Professional offerings include funerals, burial options, and cremation options, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,820. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,900, while direct cremation is available from $2,820. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All Faith Traditions and Catholic.
Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 101 Colusa Ave. in El Cerrito, CA. 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 $2,380. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.5-star Google rating across 66 reviews.
Oak Park Hills Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 3111 North Main Street in Walnut Creek, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including recently renovated, multiple chapels, and reception room. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,095.
Chapel Of The Chimes - Oakland is a premier funeral home located at 4499 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, chapel of memories columbarium, and gardens. Professional offerings include full-service funerals, cremation, and cemetery services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,300. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,070, while direct cremation is available from $2,300. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 276 reviews.
Fouche's Hudson Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 3665 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including front lobby, fountain and garden, and visitation rooms. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional funeral service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,960. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,620, while direct cremation is available from $1,960. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Christian (Non-denominational), Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist, Muslim, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.2-star Google rating across 32 reviews.
Grant Miller-John Cox Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 2850 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel and facility. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and memorialization options, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,280. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,280.
Earth Funeral is a premier funeral home located at 576 Sacramento Street # 3Fl in San Francisco, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including state-of-the-art facilities, custom, private vessels, and conservation lands. Professional offerings include soil transformation, human composting, and natural organic reduction, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $4,950. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $4,950. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $995. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 170 reviews.
Everis is a premier funeral home located at 20 Sunnyside Avenue Ste H in Mill Valley, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including memorial forests and spreading groves. Professional offerings include memorial trees, spreading groves, and nature memorials, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,757. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,757. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,000. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (General), Episcopal, Southern Baptist, Lutheran, Jewish, and Buddhist. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 12 reviews.