Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of San Antonio National Cemetery
San Antonio National Cemetery is located in Bexar County, Texas. The Spanish first explored this region in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The town grew out of San Antonio de Béxar Presidio, which was founded in 1718 and the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, which became the capital of Spanish Texas in 1773. By 1778, the settlement had a population of more than 2,000, including Native Americans at the San Antonio de Valero Mission. Despite its status as a colonial capital, most visitors described the town as "miserable." Prominent factions in San Antonio aligned itself with Hidalgo's forces in the fight for Mexican independence. A number of Spanish government officials were subsequently captured and detained. Their victory, however, was short lived. After only one month, Royalist forces recaptured the city, killing and wounding much of San Antonio's population in the process.
During the Texas Revolution, 1835–1836, San Antonio was the site of several battles, including the siege of Bexar (December 1835) and the battle of the Alamo (March 6, 1836). With the establishment of the Republic of Texas in December 1836, Bexar County was organized and San Antonio was chartered as its seat. After Texas entered the Union in 1845, San Antonio experienced a period of rapid growth, as the city became a servicing and distribution center for the western settlement of the United States: a population of 3,488 in 1850 skyrocketed to 8,235 in 10 years. In 1861, local militia forced the surrender of the federal arsenal at San Antonio even before the state seceded on March 2, and San Antonio served out the Civil War as a Confederate depot.
The original national cemetery site, which was part of San Antonio's burying ground, was donated to the U.S. government by the city in 1867. The original deed was lost and the transfer never recorded, however. The city executed a new deed April 14, 1871, conveying approximately 1.89 acres of land to the United States. The first interments at San Antonio were the remains of Union soldiers removed from the city cemetery and outlying areas. Subsequent burials included unknown who had died on the western frontier. A total of 314 unknowns are buried in a common grave in Section H, marked with a monument inscribed "To the Unknown Dead."
San Antonio National Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Monuments and Memorials A monument dedicated to the Unknown Dead was erected at San Antonio National Cemetery by the U.S. government in 1912.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at San Antonio 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:
Private David Bennes Barkley (World War I).
Texan David Bennes Barkley served in Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, U.S. Army during World War I. On November 9, 1918, Private Barkley volunteered to swim across the Meuse River to reconnoiter the enemy's location, but when returning, he drowned. Private Barkley received the Medal of Honor in 1919 and his remains were on view at the Alamo in 1921. It was only in 1989 that Barkley was recognized as the first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient. He is buried in Section G, Site 1302.
Sergeant William H.
Barnes (Civil War). William H. Barnes was born at St. Mary's County, Maryland, in 1841. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 11, 1864, at Norfolk, VA, and served in Company C, 38th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). During the Battle of New Market Heights, Virginia, on September 29, 1864, Private Barnes was among the first troops to enter the enemy works. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for this act of bravery. After the Civil War, Barnes and other USCT were stationed in Texas. Barnes was promoted to sergeant in July 1865, and after several months of detached service, he returned to post and contracted tuberculous. Barnes died December 24, 1866, and is memorialized in Section MA, Site 86.
Sergeant William DeArmond (Indian Wars).
He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry, in recognition of actions at the Upper Washita River, Texas, September 9–11, 1874. DeArmond is memorialized in Section MA, Site 89.
Sergeant Frederick Deetline (Indian Wars).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at the Little Big Horn River, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876. Deetline died in 1910 and is buried in Section F, Site 921.
First Sergeant Henry Falcott (Indian Wars).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company L, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Arizona Territory, from August to October 1868. Falcott died in 1910 and is buried in Section F, Site 918.
Corporal John J.
Givens (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company K, 6th U.S. Cavalry, in recognition of actions at the Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870. His citation was awarded under the name of Given. Corporal Givens is memorialized in Section MA, Site 88.
Private John Harrington
Section F, Site 1012
Private James Howard (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company K, 158th New York Infantry, for actions at Battery Gregg, near Petersburg, VA, April 2, 1865. Howard died in 1879 and is buried in Section E, Site 889.
Corporal Henry A.
McMasters (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company A, 4th U.S. Cavalry, for his actions at Red River, Texas, September 29, 1872. McMasters died in November that year and is buried in Section D, Site 729.
First Sergeant James J.
Nash (Spanish-American War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry, for actions at Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898. Nash died in 1927 and is buried in Section I, Site 1461-A.
Eligibility for burial at San Antonio 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.
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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
The cemetery is located in the eastern section of San Antonio. From Interstate 37, take Commerce exit east and proceed to S. New Braunfels. Turn left and travel one block to Paso Hondo. Travel approximately ½ mile to the cemetery on your right.
Floral and grounds policy
Fresh cut flowers are permitted on graves year round. Flowers may be removed to facilitate cemetery operations such as lawn mowing and grounds maintenance.
Flower pick-up dates are posted on "Next Flower Pick-Up" signs posted at cemetery entrances. During flower pick-up dates all items, including flags, will be removed from graves and will not be retained. Persons who placed items on graves may recover those items from their loved one's gravesites prior to the scheduled pick-up dates.
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
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for San Antonio National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System San Antonio National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to San Antonio National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery — San Antonio, TX (4 mi · open)
- Kerrville National Cemetery — Kerrville, TX (57 mi · closed)
- Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen — Killeen, TX (119 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of San Antonio National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Sutton-Sutton & Woodard's Mortuary, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 320 South W.W White Road in San Antonio, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, cremation memorials, and companion plots. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,595. 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 Many faiths and customs and Catholic.
Dellcrest Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2023 South Ww White Road in San Antonio, TX. 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 $3,875.
Brookehill Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 711 Southeast Military Drive in San Antonio, TX. 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 $2,880.
Palm Heights Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 3711 South Zarzamora Street in San Antonio, TX. 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 $3,140.
Camero Funeral Home at City Base is a premier funeral home located at 3706 South Ww White Road in San Antonio, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, cemetery, and crematory. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation, and 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 Catholic.
Castillo Mission Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 520 North Gen. McMullen in San Antonio, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, large capacity chapels, and ample parking. Professional offerings include cremation, funeral services, and tributes, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,450.
Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge is a premier funeral home located at 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive in San Antonio, TX. 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 $2,880.
Sunset Northwest Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 6321 Bandera Road in San Antonio, TX. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel (up to 300), coffee lounge, and visitation suite. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,695. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,200, while direct cremation is available from $1,295. 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, Christian Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.