Houston National Cemetery

Houston National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of Houston in Harris County, Texas. It encompasses 419.2 acre only about half of which is developed. The cemetery had 67,793 interments as of the end of 2008.

History
First established on December 7, 1965 as a Veterans Administration Cemetery, it became Houston National Cemetery in 1973 after the passage of the National Cemetery Act. It was the only government cemetery constructed in the United States during the 1960s and was the largest of its kind at the time of construction. At 419.2 acre, the cemetery was slightly smaller than the 450 acre of Arlington National Cemetery.

Notable monuments
The Hemicycle, a large semi-circular monument which surrounds a chapel and a 75' high bell tower, with a large courtyard for open air ceremonies. The Hemicycle is the largest memorial and the most visible structure at the cemetery. The memorial is the only NCA-managed hemicycle memorial and is one of three hemicycles located in national cemeteries. The others are located at Arlington National Cemetery and Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.

Located in the center of the hemicycle are the chapel, carillon and speaker’s stand. David Parsons, a professor of art at Rice University, sculpted a 20 x bas relief of three forms, a fallen soldier supported by two comrades. The 75 ft tower, 305-bell, Schulmerich carillon was dedicated May 30, 1970.

Notable interments

 * Dan Bankhead, the first African American pitcher in major league baseball
 * Brooks Benedict, actor in Houseboat, and The Freshman
 * Willard Brown, Baseball Hall of Famer
 * Captain James H. Fields, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II
 * Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II
 * First Lieutenant Raymond L. Knight, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II
 * First Sergeant David McNerney, Medal of Honor recipient for action in the Vietnam War
 * Amos Milburn, musician
 * Albert Richard Thomas, US Congressman
 * Josè H. Rojo, Houston attorney and civil rights activist
 * Commander James E. Fleming, Captain of the Port of Houston