Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Wood National Cemetery
Wood National Cemetery is located on the grounds of a former Soldiers Home that today is called the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI.
From 1867 until 1871, the home buried its soldiers in private cemeteries in the Milwaukee area. In 1871, a cemetery opened on the grounds. Originally known only as Soldiers Home Cemetery, it wasn't until 1937 the name was changed to honor Gen. George Wood, a longtime member of the Soldiers' Home's Board of Managers. It became a national cemetery in 1973.
The cemetery is part of the Northwestern Branch-National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers National Historic Landmark district, designated on June 6, 2011.
Monuments and Memorials The 60-foot-tall granite Civil War Soldiers and Sailors monument was erected in 1903 when the cemetery was part of the Northwest Branch Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The monument was sponsored by the Soldiers and Sailors Association and was sculpted by Joseph Shaver Granite and Marble Co. of Milwaukee.
A memorial pathway is lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's veterans. As of 2003, there were seven memorials along there — most commemorating soldiers of 20th-century wars.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Wood 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:
Ordinary Seaman James K.
L. Duncan (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U. S. Navy, on board the USS Fort Hindman for actions during the engagement near Harrisonburg, LA, April 16, 1864. Duncan died in 1913 and is buried in Section 19, Site 41.
Sergeant Milton Matthews (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry, for actions at Petersburg, VA, April 2, 1865. Matthews died in 1896 and is buried in Section 11, Site 61.
Boatswain's Mate Michael McCormick (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy, on board the USS Signal for actions in battle on the Red River, Louisiana, May 5, 1864. McCormick died in 1865 and is memorialized in Section MA, Site 10A.
Corporal Winthrop D.
Putnam (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 77th, Illinois Infantry, for actions at Vicksburg, MS, May 22, 1863. Putnam died in 1907 and is buried in Section 16, Site 109.
Captain Lewis A.
Rounds (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 8th Ohio Infantry, for actions at Spotsylvania, VA, May 12, 1864. Rounds died in 1916 and is buried in Section 20, Site 256.
Other Burials Section 8 contains private monuments marking the graves of civilians buried in the Wood National Cemetery.
They include doctors who worked for the old Soldiers Home and their families. The largest monument marks the grave of General Kilbourn Knox, the sixth Governor of the Northwest Branch of the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers who passed away on April 17, 1891 .
Section 8, Site 7
The first interment at Wood National Cemetery is John Afton, Private in Co.
G, 1st Michigan Infantry who died May 22, 1871 .
Section 5-II, Site 163B
There are unknown soldiers interred in Section 4.
Wisconsin native Claude Buckley "Biff" Taugher was born in 1895 and attended Carroll College before serving in the U.S.
Marine Corps during World War I. Second Lieutenant Taugher enlisted in May 1917 and deployed to France with the 6th Regiment (Marines), Second Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). He received the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in action on November 2, 1918, in Bayonville; and the Silver Star for actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. First Lieutenant Taugher was honorably discharged in August 1919 and he returned home to finish school. Taugher attended Marquette University where he played football and, in 1922, was signed by the Green Bay Packers. His professional football career as a player lasted one season, after which he coached the Carroll College team. Taugher died February 8, 1963, and is buried in Wood National Cemetery .
Section 38A, Row 5, Site 17
Sportsman and surgeon Clement Francis "Clem" Neacy was born in Wisconsin in 1898.
He grew up in Milwaukee, where he attended school, worked for the Gas Company, and played baseball and basketball. He added boxing and football to his athletic repertoire by the time he enrolled in Colgate University (1921). Neacy played professional football through the 1920s and, off the field, studied to become a surgeon. He graduated from Rush Medical School in 1930 and held positions on the surgical staff of the Veterans Administration hospitals in Togus, ME (1931–1934) and, back home, in Milwaukee (1937–1943). Navy Lieutenant Commander Neacy served during World War II, after which he entered private practice in California. He died March 19, 1968, and is buried in Wood National Cemetery .
Section 37A, Row 4, Site 9
Eligibility for burial at Wood 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
The cemetery is co-located with the VA Medical Center and the VA Regional Office in Milwaukee. From Mitchell International Airport take Interstate 94 west to exit 308A (Mitchell Boulevard/VA Center), turn left on Mitchell Boulevard. Turn right onto Hines Boulevard (Lake Wheeler will be on your left.) Keep left as Hines Boulevard curves, Cemetery Administration Office (BLDG 1301) will be on your right.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
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 Wood National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Wood 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 Wood National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Wood National Cemetery Annex — Milwaukee, WI (0 mi · closed)
- Forest Home Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Milwaukee, WI (2 mi · closed)
- Mound Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Racine, WI (22 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Wood National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Schaff Funeral Services is a premier funeral home located at 5920 West Lincoln Ave. in West Allis, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapels and reception hall. Professional offerings include personalized services, traditional burial, and immediate burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,175. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,250, while direct cremation is available from $3,175. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Polish National Catholic, Lutheran, and Christian (Non-Denominational, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal).
Neka's Funeral & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 4803 West Burleigh Street in Milwaukee, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including repast space. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation with memorial service, and graveside service arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Methodist.
New Pitts Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 2031 West Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, WI. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Rozga Funeral Home & Cremation is a premier funeral home located at 703 West Lincoln Ave. in Milwaukee, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including lincoln village chapel, rozga-walloch chapel, and mukwonago chapel. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,370. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,750, while direct cremation is available from $2,370. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Suminski Family Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 1901 North Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee, WI. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. General services start at $2,595. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,010, while direct cremation is available from $3,710. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Pentecostal, Non-denominational Christian, and Other faiths (with clergy coordination).
The New Pitts Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 2031 West Capitol Dr. in Milwaukee, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home and columbarium. Professional offerings include service options, personalization, and honoring veterans, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,350. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,795, while direct cremation is available from $2,350.
Paradise Memorial Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 7625 West Appleton Ave. in Milwaukee, WI. The property features well-appointed spaces including life celebration chapel, on-site crematory, and chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,655. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,655. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Church of God in Christ, and Non-denominational Christian.
Becker Ritter Funeral Home & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 14075 West North Avenue in Brookfield, WI. 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 $4,170.