Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside National Cemetery is the largest and busiest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration. It was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base, which during World War II was called the U.S. Army's Camp William G. Haan. The cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials November 11, 1978. An additional 181 acres was transferred by the Air Force in 2003.
The dramatic, meandering landscape features a central boulevard with memorial circles, lakes, indigenous-styled committal shelters, and a memorial amphitheater.
Monuments and Memorials Riverside National cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial and one of four sites recognized as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The Medal of Honor Memorial, whose walls feature the names of all medal recipients, is located at the third traffic circle in the cemetery. It was dedicated in 1999.
The Fallen Soldier/Veterans' Memorial, erected in 2000, is dedicated to all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The dramatic bronze structure topped by a lifeless soldier is located near the lake at the entrance to the cemetery.
A carillon was donated by the American Veterans (AMVETS) in 2000.
The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial was designated as a national memorial by the U.S. Congress in 2004 through Public Law 108-454. The memorial was dedicated on September 16, 2005. Vietnam veteran Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., sculpted the bronze statue which depicts an American serviceman on his knees with hands bound by his captors. The statue is surrounded by black marble pillars that evoke imprisonment.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Riverside National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor Recipients 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 eligibility criteria for the Medal of Honor have changed over time.
Recipients buried or memorialized here:
Commander John H.
Balch (World War I). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy, 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, for actions at Vierzy, France, on July 19, 1918, and at Somme-Py, France, on October 5, 1918. Balch died in 1980 and is buried in Section 2, Site 1925.
Second Lieutenant Walter D.
Ehlers (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, for actions near Goville, France, June 9–10, 1944. Ehlers died in 2014 and is buried in Section 20A, Site 644.
Colonel Lewis L.
Millett (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, for actions in the vicinity of Soam-Ni, Korea, February 7, 1951. Millett died in 2009 and is buried in Section 2, Site 1910.
Colonel Mitchell Paige (World War II).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division, for actions in the Solomon Islands, October 26, 1942. Paige died in 2003 and is buried in Section 20A, Site 533.
Staff Sergeant Ysmael Roger Villegas (World War II).
Ysmael Roger Villegas, native of California, enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 11, 1944, and served in Company F, 127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. On March 20, 1945, in Luzon, Philippine Islands, Staff Sergeant Villegas charged the entrenched enemy, eliminated five fox holes, and was killed in action. Posthumously, he received the Medal of Honor on October 19, 1945. He is buried in Section 5, Site 1178.
Other Burials Robert Edward Badham, Lt.
j.g., U.S. Navy. U.S. Congressman from California. Served in California assembly, 1963–1976; U.S. House of Representatives 1977–1989 .
Section 16, Site 914A
George Baker, Tech Sgt., U.S.
Army, World War II. Cartoonist. Baker was a former Disney cartoonist who created the comic strip and comic book character "The Sad Sack" during World War II .
Section 8, Site 3254
Colonel Aaron Bank, U.S.
Army. Founder of the Army's elite Green Berets. During World War II Bank was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services within the Army's Special Operations branch. After the war he stayed with the Army, and convinced them to create a permanent Special Forces unit. In 2002, President George W. Bush bestowed Bank with a commendation for creating the techniques used to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan. He died in 2004 at the age of 101 .
Section 17, Site 421
Melissa Rose Barnes was born in 1973 in Los Angeles, and enlisted in the Navy in 1992.
Yeoman Barnes was posted to the Naval Command Center in 2001 where she was working on September 11. Barnes was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, and was buried in Riverside National Cemetery October 1, 2001 .
Section 56B, Site 123
Lillian Kinkela Keil, Captain, U.S.
Air Force. Air Force Flight Nurse Pioneer. She flew on 425 medical evacuation missions and took part in 11 major campaigns that included the D-Day invasion and Battle of the Bulge in World War II and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korea War. One of the most decorated women in American military history, she was awarded 19 medals, including a European Theater medal with four battle stars, a Korean service medal with seven battle stars, four air medals and a Presidential Citation from the Republic of Korea .
Section 20A, Site 1235
Eligibility for burial at Riverside 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 70 miles east of Los Angeles, adjacent to March Air Reserve Base. From Ontario Airport, take Interstate 10 East to Interstate 15 South to Highway 60 East to Interstate 215 South. Exit at Van Buren Boulevard and turn right. Proceed on Van Buren to first traffic light. Cemetery entrance is on the left. From Los Angeles International Airport take Interstate 405 North to Interstate 10 East; merge on Highway 60 East. Proceed on Highway 60 to Riverside. Merge onto Interstate 215. Exit at Van Buren Boulevard and turn right. Proceed on Van Buren to first traffic light. Cemetery entrance is on the left.
Floral and grounds policy
The intent of our floral guidelines is to ensure that we maintain the cemetery with the dignity befitting a National Shrine. We ask for your understanding and cooperation with our efforts.
We welcome fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite display. Cemetery visitors are free to use the containers located in receptacles placed throughout the grounds. Once the blooms are spent or damaged, they are removed.
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
View Videos and an Educational Lesson Plan about this cemetery, or 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 Riverside National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Los Angeles National Cemetery — Los Angeles, CA (68 mi · closed)
- Los Angeles National Cemetery Annex — Los Angeles, CA (68 mi · unknown)
- Miramar National Cemetery — San Diego, CA (70 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Riverside National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Arlington Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 9645 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel and reception hall. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and committal service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,495. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Protestant (various denominations), Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Judaism (non-Orthodox).
Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 4933 La Sierra Avenue in Riverside, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, atrium, and rotunda with original mural. General services start at $2,650. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,145, while direct cremation is available from $2,650. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian denominations (Baptist, Free Methodist, Congregationalist, Non-denominational) and All cultural and religious backgrounds (general accommodation).
Evans-Brown - Lake Elsinore is a premier funeral home located at 126 East Graham Ave. in Lake Elsinore, CA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. General services start at $1,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,095, while direct cremation is available from $1,195.
Weaver Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 1177 Beaumont Avenue in Beaumont, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, flexible chapel space, and large-capacity chapel (up to 250). Professional offerings include cremation, traditional religious services, and military honors, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,160. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,245, while direct cremation is available from $2,160. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu.
Wiefels & Son Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 50 East Nicolet St. in Banning, 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 $2,535. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.9-star Google rating across 13 reviews.
Stone Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 355 East 9Th Street in Upland, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, cafe area, and gardens. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, cremation, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,845. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,845, while direct cremation is available from $1,845. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Protestant (Christian) Funeral Traditions, and Jewish Funeral Traditions.
Draper Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 811 North Mountain Avenue in Ontario, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and multiple chapels. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, cremation, and customized memorial service, 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 $5,445, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Black Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Muslim Funeral Traditions.
Olive Tree Mortuary, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 8381 Katella Ave. Ste. F in Stanton, CA. The property features well-appointed spaces including stanton full service care center, lake forest consultation office, and locally owned cremation facilities. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and body transport, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,425. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,395, while direct cremation is available from $1,425. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Muslim, Jewish, and Christian.