Burial Space
Golden Gate National Cemetery is closed to new interments. The only interments that are being accepted are subsequent interments for veterans or eligible family members in an existing gravesite. Periodically however, burial space may become available due to a canceled reservation or when a disinterment has been completed. When either of these two scenarios occurs, the gravesite is made available to another eligible veteran on a first-come, first-served basis. Since there is no way to know in advance when a gravesite may become available, please contact the cemetery at the time of need to inquire whether space is available.
back to top

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Golden Gate National Cemetery is located in the city of San Bruno, San Mateo County, 12 miles south of San Francisco. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with San Francisco National Cemetery, which dates to the 19th century and is in that city’s Presidio, in view of the Golden Gate Bridge. About 1937, San Francisco residents voted to no longer build cemeteries within the city proper and, as a result, the site for the new national cemetery was selected south of the city limits.

Congress authorized construction of the facility in 1937, with the first interments in 1941. The cemetery was officially dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1942. Then-Attorney General Earl Warren (and later U.S. Supreme Court justice) was keynote speaker at the ceremony. Golden Gate is one of a large number of U.S. Army planned cemeteries started in the 1930s and completed during the 1940s. They were designed specifically to provide abundant burial opportunities in locations around the nation in cities with very large veteran populations.

Over the years several attempts to expand Golden Gate National Cemetery were met with resistance from local residents, so it has remained at its original 161 acres since 1941.
back to top

NOTABLE PERSONS

Medal of Honor Recipients
Corporal Edward A. Bennett (World War II), U.S. Army, Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division. Heckhuscheid, Germany, Feb. 1, 1945 (Section 2B, Grave 1071-A).

Master Sergeant Vito R. Bertoldo (World War II), U.S. Army, Company A, 242nd Infantry, 42nd Infantry Division. Hatten, France, Jan. 9-10, 1945 (Section C, Grave 52-A).

Chief Gunner’s Mate John Joseph Clausey U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. Bennington, July 21, 1905 (Section C, Grave 121-B).

Corporal John O. Dahlgren (Boxer Rebellion), U.S. Marine Corps. Peking, China, June 20 – July 16, 1900 (Section Z, Grave 1950).

Private John Francis DeSwan (Spanish-American War), Company H, 21st U.S. Infantry. Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898 (Section R, Grave 195-A).

Private Mosheim Feaster (Indian War Campaigns), Company E, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Wounded Knee Creek, S.D., Dec. 29, 1890 (Section O, Grave 319).

Sergeant Paul H. Foster (Vietnam War), U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, Oct. 14, 1967 (Section V, Grave 4764).

Sergeant Edward H. Gibson (Philippine Insurrection), Company M, 27th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. San Mateo, Philippine Islands, Dec. 19, 1899 (Section L, Grave 7791).

Private First Class Harold Gonsalves (World War II), U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Ryukyu Chain, April 15, 1945 (Section B, Grave 61).

Captain Nelson M. Holderman (World War I), U.S. Army, 307th Infantry, 77th Division. Argonne, France, Oct. 2-8, 1918 (Section R, Grave 17).

Machinist’s Mate William R. Huber, U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. Bruce, June 11, 1928 (Section 2B, Grave 4085).

Boatswain’s Mate First Class Reinhardt J. Keppler (World War II), U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. San Francisco, Nov. 12 – 13, 1942 (Section C, Grave 379).

Seaman Hugh Patrick Mullin (Philippine Insurrection), U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. Texas, Nov. 11, 1899 (Section A-2, Grave 294).

Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker (World War II), U.S. Army, Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. Near Wesel, Germany, March 24, 1945 (Section B, Grave 719).

Private First Class Robert H. Young (Korean War), U.S. Army, Company E., 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. North Of Kaesong, Korea, Oct. 9, 1950 (Section O, Grave 8).

Others
One of America’s most valiant naval officers—Adm. Chester W. Nimitz— is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery. A number of distinguished officers who served under him are also buried here. The 44 German and Italian prisoners-of-war interred here were captured in North Africa after the collapse of the German Afrika Corps under the command of Lt. Gen. Erwin Rommel in 1943. The POWs were housed at Camp Beale and Camp Cook in California and Camp Rupert in Idaho, where they were originally buried at the respective post cemeteries. When the posts closed, the POWs were re-interred at Golden Gate.  Additionally, 24 African-American sailors who perished while loading Liberty ships in the Port Chicago incident on July 17, 1944, and whose remains were subsequently unidentifiable, are buried as Unknowns in Section P.
back to top

FLORAL/GROUNDS REGULATIONS

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.

Artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance. As a general rule, artificial flowers and potted plants will be allowed on graves for a period extending 10 days before through 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day.

Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from Dec. 1 through Jan. 20. They may not be secured to headstones or markers.

Permanent planting, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

A floral sweep will be conducted on the 3rd weekend of each month. Any items of value should be removed prior to this date. Please keep in mind that glass containers are not allowed on cemetery grounds.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved by donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property.
back to top