Clark Veterans Cemetery (Angeles)

Philippines / Central Luzon / Balibago / Angeles / Manuel A. Roxas Highway
 Second World War 1939-1945, cemetery, lawn, war cemetery
Clark Veterans Cemetery (former US Memorial Cemetery)
Maintained by: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2485
Website: www.vfwpost2485.com/cemetery.htm
Total land area: 20.365 acres; 12,000 plot (grave sites) cemetery

8,649 individuals buried in the cemetery as of Dec 31, 2010.
US veterans of all branches of the US Armed Forces (2,250) during the Spanish-American & Philippine-American wars, Philippine Scouts (644) before World War II, Philippine Constabulary (2)
The largest category interred is civilian (1,085), mostly US & Filipino, all of whom worked for the U.S. Government, & civilian dependents (2,275). In addition, nationals from France, Spain, Canada, India, Japan (not associated w/World War II), China & Vietnam (refugees).
Unclassified (187) & Unknown (2,139) includes 3 unknown Spanish soldiers buried in a common grave

2 types of monuments in the cemetery:
1) 6 ½ ft marble Monument to Unknown Dead
2) 2 ft high rectangular stone with a marble plate

The earliest recorded burial is Santiago Belona (Pvt, PS, DOD), Jan 13, 1900.
It is the only site in Clark Freeport where the Philippine & American flags are flying side by side since March 1984.

History:
1947-1950 The cemetery was formed by moving headstones/markers & remains from at least 4 other U.S. military cemeteries (Fort Stotsenburg 1 & 2, Fort McKinley, Sangley Point Naval cemetery)
1947-1991 Budgeted & maintained by the U.S. Air Force
Nov 1991 When the US Air Force departed the Philippines, the Philippine Air Force (PAF)agreed to provide proper care for the cemetery.
1993 Clark Development Corporation (CDC) took over control of the cemetery.
Nov 1991-June 1994 No care was provided to the cemetery by the PAF/CDC.
Nov 1994 VFW Post 2485 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with CDC giving them permission to maintain the cemetery and open it for burials.
Feb 2001 This MOA was renewed.
March 2006 The MOA was renewed again with an expiration date of March 2031.
2011 The Monument to Unknown Dead was restored and placed on a new base.
May 30, 2011 The Monument to Unknown Dead was rededicated on Memorial Day.

The Clark Veterans Cemetery receives no U.S. or Philippine government funding. VFW Post 2485 can only budget cemetery maintenance through money donations from various individuals, military organizations, veterans groups, and civic/business organizations.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   15°10'1"N   120°34'28"E

Comments

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOz42_ZoLH0&mode=related&search= Really good to watch.
  • Very, very important information: http://www.vfwpost2485.com/grvapp.htm
  • Many of Pampangas Macabebe Scouts who fought in the Philippine-American War are also buried at this cemetery.
  • In addition to the cemetary, there is a small monument commemorating the Bataan Death March.
  • Many grave markers here date back to late 1800's from the Spanish American war. Many of the graves are relocated from other areas in Philippines.
This article was last modified 10 years ago