Long Island National Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Long Island National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery
located in Suffolk County, New York
. Its mailing address is Farmingdale. It is within the CDPS of Wyandanch
, in the Town of Babylon
, and Melville
in the Town of Huntington
. It encompasses 364.7 acres (1.5 km²), and as of 30 September 2006, had 329,704 interments - making it the US National Cemetery with the largest number of interments.
of a large number of veterans, and not enough burial space in the urban cemeteries in New York
. At the time the only National Cemetery in the area was Cypress Hills National Cemetery
in Brooklyn
, and it had very limited area available. The land was developed and burials began in March 1937. Within its first 8 years, it saw over 10,000 interments from World War II
.
A section of the cemetery has the interments of World War II prisoners of war, including 37 Germans
and 54 Italians
.
United States National Cemetery
"United States National Cemetery" is a designation for 146 nationally important cemeteries in the United States. A National Cemetery is generally a military cemetery containing the graves of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their spouses but not exclusively so...
located in Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
. Its mailing address is Farmingdale. It is within the CDPS of Wyandanch
Wyandanch, New York
Wyandanch is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York. The population was 10,546 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, in the Town of Babylon
Babylon (town), New York
The Town of Babylon is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York . Located on Long Island, the town population was 211,792 as of the 2000 census. There is also a Village of Babylon located within the town. It borders Nassau County to the West, and the Atlantic Ocean to the South...
, and Melville
Melville, New York
Melville is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Huntington in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, 14,533 people resided there.-Location:...
in the Town of Huntington
Huntington, New York
The Town of Huntington is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, USA. Founded in 1653, it is located on the north shore of Long Island in northwestern Suffolk County, with Long Island Sound to its north and Nassau County adjacent to the west. Huntington is part of the New York metropolitan...
. It encompasses 364.7 acres (1.5 km²), and as of 30 September 2006, had 329,704 interments - making it the US National Cemetery with the largest number of interments.
History
Long Island National Cemetery was established in 1936 with a purchase of 175 acre (0.7082005 km²) of land from Pinelawn Cemetery to answer a need after World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
of a large number of veterans, and not enough burial space in the urban cemeteries in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. At the time the only National Cemetery in the area was Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery is the only United States National Cemetery in New York City and has more than 21,100 interments of veterans and civilians. There are 24 Medal of Honor recipients buried in the cemetery, including three men who won the award twice...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, and it had very limited area available. The land was developed and burials began in March 1937. Within its first 8 years, it saw over 10,000 interments from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
A section of the cemetery has the interments of World War II prisoners of war, including 37 Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and 54 Italians
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Notable monuments
- A granite memorial to "Fallen Comrades of Nassau & Suffolk Counties" was erected in 1940.
Notable interments
- Frank John Becker, US Congressman, World War I veteran.
- Seaman First Class Heinrich BehnkeHeinrich Behnke (Medal of Honor)Heinrich Behnke was a seaman first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.-Biography:...
, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for peacetime service aboard USS IowaUSS Iowa (BB-4)| The second half of the 19th century saw radical changes in shipbuilding design. Wood-built sailing ships with cannons were replaced by steam-powered warships armored with steel... - Corporal Anthony CasamentoAnthony CasamentoCorporal Anthony Casamento, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter on September 12, 1980 in a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, 38 years after Cpl Casamento's heroism on Guadalcanal in 1942....
, Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - Captain Leon DaboLeon DaboLeon Dabo was an American tonalist landscape artist best known for his paintings of New York, particularly the Hudson Valley. His paintings were known for their feeling of spaciousness, with large areas of the canvas that had little but land, sea, or clouds...
, artist, World War I veteran. - Mignon G. EberhartMignon G. EberhartMignon Good Eberhart was an American author of mystery novels. She had one of the longest careers among major American mystery writers.-Biography:...
, author. - James Fay, US Congressman, World War I veteran.
- First Lieutenant Harry Sutton, of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, posthumously decorated with the Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
during the HungnamHungnamHŭngnam was the third largest city in North Korea.It is a port city on the eastern coast, in South Hamgyong Province, on the Sea of Japan . The city covers an area of 250 square kilometers...
Evacuation. - Gunner's Mate Third Class John Everetts, Medal of Honor recipient for peacetime service aboard USS CushingUSS Cushing (TB-1)USS Cushing was a torpedo boat in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War. She was named for William B. Cushing....
. - Gunner's Mate Third Class Robert GalbraithRobert Galbraith (Medal of Honor)Robert Galbraith was a United States Navy Gunner's Mate, 3rd class received the Medal of Honor for actions on 12–13 September 1899 during the Philippine-American War. Gunner's Mate Galbraith is buried in the Long Island National Cemetery.-Medal of Honor citation:Rank and Organization: Gunner's...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Philippine-American WarPhilippine-American WarThe Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
. - Russell Gleason, actor, son of James GleasonJames GleasonJames Austin Gleason was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.-Career:...
. - Boatswain's Mate William Henry GowanWilliam Henry Gowan-External links:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for peacetime service in CoquimboCoquimboCoquimbo is a port city, commune and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Coquimbo lies in a valley south of La Serena, with which it forms Greater La Serena with more than 400,000 inhabitants. The commune spans an area around the...
, ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. - Captain Sydney G. Gumpertz, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War I.
- Chief Watertender August Holtz, Medal of Honor recipient for peacetime service aboard USS North DakotaUSS North Dakota (BB-29)USS North Dakota , a Delaware-class battleship, was the first ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of North Dakota....
. - Helen KaneHelen KaneHelen Kane was an American popular singer; her signature song was "I Wanna Be Loved By You". Kane's voice and appearance were a likely source for Fleischer Studios animator Grim Natwick when creating Betty Boop, although It-girl Clara Bow is another possible influence.-Early life:Born as Helen...
, singer and model for Betty BoopBetty BoopBetty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
. - First Lieutenant Stephen Edward Karopczyc, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. - Specialist Five John James Kedenburg, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Vietnam War.
- Private Matthew Landano, Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veteran, killed in the crash of American Airlines Flight 383American Airlines Flight 383American Airlines Flight 383 was a nonstop flight from New York to Cincinnati on November 8, 1965. The aircraft was a Boeing 727-123 aircraft with 62 people on board. The aircraft crashed on approach to the Greater Cincinnati Airport...
, November 8, 1965, in Constance, Kentucky. - Private First Class Carlos James LozadaCarlos LozadaPrivate First Class Carlos James Lozada , was a member of the United States Army who was one of five Puerto Ricans who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for their actions in combat.-Early years:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of Dak ToBattle of Dak ToThe Battle of Đắk Tô was a series of major engagements of the Vietnam War that took place between 3–22 November 1967, in Kontum Province, in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam . The action at Đắk Tô was one of a series of People's Army of Vietnam offensive initiatives that began...
during the Vietnam War. - Granville 'Stick' McGheeStick McGheeGranville Henry McGhee, also known as Stick McGhee, was an African-American jump blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his blues song, "Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee".-Early life:...
, musician. - Donald McPherson, lead singer and founder of music group The Main Ingredient.
- Landsman Thomas MitchellThomas Mitchell (Medal of Honor)-External links:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for peacetime service aboard USS RichmondUSS Richmond (1860)The USS Richmond was a wooden steam sloop in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.-Service in the Caribbean :Richmond was launched on 26 January 1860 by the Norfolk Navy Yard; sponsored by a Miss Robb. Richmond, commanded by Captain D. N. Ingraham, departed Norfolk, Virginia 13...
. - Jules Munshin, comedian, actor.
- Chief Boatswain's Mate Lauritz NelsonLauritz NelsonLauritz Nelson was a sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.-Biography:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action aboard USS NashvilleUSS Nashville (PG-7)USS Nashville , a gunboat, was the only ship of its class. It was the third ship of the United States Navy to hold the name Nashville....
during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. - First Lieutenant Bernard James Ray, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II.
- Staff Sergeant Joseph Edward Schaefer, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II.
- Second Lieutenant Charles William Shea, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II.
- Frank SilveraFrank SilveraFrank Alvin Silvera was an American actor and theatrical director.-Career:Silvera was born in Kingston, Jamaica to a Spanish Jewish father and Jamaican mother. His family later emigrated to the United States, settling in Boston where Silvera attended English High School and Northeastern Law School...
, actor. - Zutty Singleton, jazz musician.
- Private First Class William Henry ThompsonWilliam Thompson (Medal of Honor, 1950)William Henry Thompson was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War....
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. - Richard J. TonryRichard J. TonryRichard Joseph Tonry was a United States Representative from New York. Born in Brooklyn, he was educated in the public schools and at Randolph Military Academy and at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn...
, US Congressman, World War I veteran. - Private Michael ValenteMichael Valente- External links :...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War I. - Seaman James Aloysius Walsh, Medal of Honor recipient for action aboard USS FloridaUSS Florida (BB-30)-External links:***...
during the US occupation of Veracruz, MexicoUnited States occupation of Veracruz, 1914The United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months and was a response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914...
. - First Lieutenant John Earl WarrenJohn E. Warren, Jr.John Earl Warren, Jr. was a United States Army officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Vietnam War. - Maurice GosfieldMaurice GosfieldMaurice Lionel Gosfield was an American comic actor, most famous for his portrayal of Private Duane Doberman on the 1950s sitcom You'll Never Get Rich .'Maury' Gosfield was born in New York in 1913, but was raised in Philadelphia and later in Evanston, Illinois...
, comic actor and voice of Benny the Ball in Top CatTop CatTop Cat is a Hanna-Barbera prime time animated television series which ran from September 27, 1961 to April 18, 1962 for a run of 30 episodes on the ABC network. Reruns are played on Cartoon Network's classic animation network Boomerang.-History:...
.
See also
- United States Department of Veterans AffairsUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsThe United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
- United States National Cemetery