Los Angeles National Cemetery Annex

The Los Angeles National Cemetery, located across from what is now the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, has grown to more than 127 acres since its late 19th century origins. The first interment dates to a few days prior to the May 22, 1889 dedication of the cemetery. In 1973, the cemetery was transferred from the then-Veterans Administration Medical Center to what was then the National Cemetery System.

The Los Angeles National Cemetery opened as one of 11 facilities operated by the Veterans Administration, on lands shared with national Veterans' homes or asylums for disabled soldiers. The Pacific Branch of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was established in 1887 on Santa Monica ranch lands donated by Senator John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker. The following year, the site grew by an additional 200 acres; in 1890, 20 more acres were appended for use as a Veterans' cemetery. By this time, with more than 1,000 Veterans in residence, a new hospital was erected in 1900. It was replaced in 1927 by Wadsworth Hospital, and a second facility, Brentwood Hospital, was also constructed in the 1920s.

Some of the cemetery's features are unique, including an administration building and adjoining Bob Hope Memorial Chapel (built in 1939–1940) and the NCA's only indoor columbarium, which was built in 1940–1941. These buildings were constructed by the Works Progress Administration in a distinctive Spanish Revival style of stucco and tile. The original gatehouse and entrance gates have been removed.

There are two canine burials at Los Angeles National Cemetery, although this practice is prohibited today. Old Bonus, an adopted pet of residents in the Soldiers' home; and Blackout, a war dog wounded in the Pacific during World War II, are both buried here.

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 435 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.

» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:

Sergeant First Class Chris Carr (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company L, 337th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division, for actions near Guignola, Italy, October 1–2, 1944. His citation was awarded under his given name, Christos H. Karaberis; he changed his name to Carr sometime later. Carr died in 1970 and is buried in Section 275, Row G, Site 15.

Sergeant George H. Eldridge (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 6th U.S. Calvary, for actions at the Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870. Eldridge died in 1918 and is buried in Section 37, Row B, Site 1.

Sergeant Harry Harvey (Philippine Insurrection). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for actions at Benictican, Philippine Islands, February 16, 1900. Harvey died in 1929 and is buried in Section 60, Row E, Site 4.

Sergeant Luther Kaltenbach (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company F, 12th Iowa Infantry, for actions at Nashville, TN, December 16, 1864. Kaltenbach died in 1922 and is buried in Section 43, Row A, Site 15.

Landsman William F. Lukes (1871 Korean Campaign). Lukes received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy, Company D, for actions during the capture of the Korean forts, June 9–10, 1871. Lukes died in 1923 and is buried in Section 7, Row F, Site 19.

Color Sergeant George McKee (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 89th New York Infantry, for actions at Petersburg, VA, April 2, 1865. McKee died in 1892 and is buried in Section 1, Row G, Site 2.

First Sergeant James McNally (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 8th U.S. Cavalry, for actions in vicinity of the Black Mountains, Arizona Territory, 1868 and 1869. McNally died in 1904, and is buried in Section 10, Row L, Site 10.

Sergeant Edward Murphy (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 1st U.S. Calvary, for actions in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, October 20, 1869. Murphy died in 1924 and is buried in Section 44, Row 1, Site 22.

First Sergeant Edwin Phoenix (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 4th U.S. Calvary, for actions near Red River, Texas, September 26–28, 1874. Phoenix died in 1932 and is buried in Section 67, Row H, Site 22.

Farrier Samuel Porter (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company L, 6th U.S. Calvary, for actions at the Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870. Porter died in 1920 and is buried in Section 40, Row E, Site 6.

Private Charles W. Rundle (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 116th Illinois Infantry, for actions at Vicksburg, MS, May 22, 1863. Rundle died in 1924 and is buried in Section 34, Row 1, Site 11.

Wagoner Griffin Seward (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 8th U.S. Calvary, for actions in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, October 20, 1869. Seward died in 1908 and is buried in Section 15, Row D, Site 10.

Coxswain Timothy Sullivan (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy, on board the USS Louisville during the engagements of the vessel. Sullivan died in 1910 and is buried in Section 18, Row H, Site 2.

Corporal James Sweeney (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Vermont Cavalry, for actions at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864. Sweeney died in 1931 and is buried in Section 78, Row P, Site 3.

Private Robert H. Von Schlick (Boxer Rebellion). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company C, 9th U.S. Infantry, for actions at Tientsin, China, July 13, 1900. Von Schlick died in 1941 and is buried in Section 81, Row G, Site 20.

Other Burials
Over 100 Buffalo Soldiers are interred at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. These African American soldiers were members of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry after the Civil War.

Elizabeth (Sandelius) Benbow (World War I.) Benbow (1893–1983) was born in Cokedale, MT, to Swedish immigrants. She joined the Red Cross in Helena and was head nurse at the Columbus hospital and clinic prior to America's entrance into World War I. In 1917, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and volunteered for duty on the Western Front. In August 1918, Elizabeth was serving with a field hospital near Cohan, France. She refused to be evacuated when the hospital was bombarded and endured eight consecutive days and nights of shelling, never ceasing to care for the wounded. Sandelius survived the war and was honorably discharged in July 1919. For her heroism in France, she is now among the first four American servicewomen to receive the Silver Star Medal (posthumously.) She is memorialized in Section MA, Site 18.

Nicholas P. Earp father of Wyatt Earp (Section 13, Site 18).

War Dog "Bonus" buried with handler, Charles E. Temple - Ensign USNR (Section 101, Row A, Site 1).

Lloyd C. Stearman studied engineering and architecture at Kansas State University in 1917–1918, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy Reserve Flying Corps. He served from August 1918 through the end of World War I. Aviation Chief Rigger Stearman continued his career as a mechanic and pilot, exploring innovation in aeronautical design. By 1924, he was the chief engineer for Swallow Airplane Co. and, in 1927, formed his own aircraft manufacturing company. Between the wars, Boeing Co. acquired Stearman's business and with it, the popular Model 75 military trainer. This biplane, known as the "Stearman trainer," took on greater importance with World War II and its use by the U.S. Army Air Corps and Navy. Stearman remained an industry leader and innovator until 1967 when he retired from Lockheed Aircraft Co. He died April 3, 1975 (Section 130, Row F, Site 2).

War Dog "Blackout" buried with handler, George Lewis Osheir, Cook U.S. Navy/Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps (Section 99, Row A, Site 2).