Rock Island National Cemetery

Rock Island National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located within Rock Island Arsenal near the city of Rock Island, Illinois. It encompasses 66 acres (270,000 m²), and as of the end of 2006, had 24,525 interments.^[2] The cemetery is also nearing compliance with the National Shrine guidelines, due to its use of college students during the summer to reset and realign stones. When looking from any one stone there should be seven lines visible and all should be straight.

History

The cemetery was established in 1863 as a place to inter the remains of American Civil War Union army soldiers. Its initial placement interfered with expansion of the Arsenal's facilities, so it was moved to a location on the northern end of the island. Civil War veterans who were interred in Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa, were later disinterred and moved to the National Cemetery. Property transfers from the Arsenal in 1926, 1936, and 1950 increased the cemetery's area. There are plans for further expansion of this cemetery including an addition pavilion, more land, and a wall for cremations near the tank track.

A second, 2-acre (8,100 m²) cemetery was established near Rock Island National Cemetery to bury Confederate prisoners of war, nearly two thousand of which would die while in captivity on the island, primarily from the harsh living conditions.

Notable interments

• Gene Baker (1925–1999), Major League Baseball player, coach, and scout.^[3]
• Private First Class Edward J. Moskala, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II.
• Jeff Pfeffer (1888–1972), Major League Baseball player from 1911 to 1924.^[4]
• Brevet Brigadier General Thomas Jackson Rodman, commander at the Rock Island Arsenal; developed the Rodman gun
• Private First Class Frank Peter Witek, Medal of Honor recipient for action in World War II.

See also

• United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• United States National Cemetery

References

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-11-03. http://www.nps.gov/nr/. 
2. ^ Cemeteries - Rock Island National Cemetery - Burial & Memorials
3. ^ "Gene Baker". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B/Pbakeg101.htm. Retrieved October 21, 2010. 
4. ^ "Jeff Pfeffer". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/P/Ppfefj101.htm. Retrieved October 21, 2010. 

External links

• National Cemetery Administration
• Rock Island National Cemetery