Willamette National Cemetery
N 45° 27.584 W 122° 32.594
10T E 535711 N 5034124
At the conclusion of World War II, regional authorities again began urging the development of a national cemetery in Oregon. The first burial occurred in 1951.
Waymark Code: WM3FE8
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 03/29/2008
Views: 76
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Willamette National Cemetery is located about 10 miles southeast of Portland in Clackamas County, Ore. As the result of lobbying efforts by several veterans’ organizations, Congress passed Public Law 388 authorizing the secretary of war to establish a national cemetery in the Portland vicinity in 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill into law, however, he felt that funds for the purchase of land should be limited to defense needs. As a result, no appropriation was made to build the cemetery.
In 1949, the state donated approximately 102 acres and subsequent donations in 1952 brought the total land area to a little over 201 acres. A final parcel of 68 additional acres was dedicated in 1995.
Construction work started in 1950, and the area was officially designated Willamette National Cemetery on Dec. 14, 1950.
Monuments and Memorials
Willamette National Cemetery is home to the Oregon Korean Veterans Memorial. This series of polished, black granite walls memorializes 283 Oregon servicemen and women who lost their lives in that conflict. Willamette National Cemetery is designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway site.
The American Veterans (AMVETS) donated a carillon to the cemetery in 1975.
Medal of Honor Recipients
Lieutenant Colonel Stanley T. Adams (Korea) U.S. Army, 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Sesim-ni, Korea, Feb. 4, 1951 (Section H, Grave 3623-O).
First Lieutenant Arnold L. Bjorklund (World War II) U.S. Army, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, Altavilla, Italy, Sept. 13, 1943 (Section H, Grave 3622-O).
Specialist 4th Class Larry G. Dahl (Vietnam) U.S. Army, 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion, U.S. Support Command, An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Feb. 23, 1971 (Section H, Grave 3622-M).
Sergeant 1st Class Loren R. Kaufman (Korea) U.S. Army, Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Yongsan, Korea, Sept. 4 & 5, 1950 (Section H, Grave 3622-N).
Date cemetery was established: Dec. 14, 1950
Visiting hours:
Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
and Veterans Day 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Visitation Hours:
Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website pertaining to the cemetery: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit.
We would also like to hear about any of your deceased family members who may be laid to rest in the cemetery.