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President John F. Kennedy. Photo by Cecil Stoughton.

10 Famous People are Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Have you ever wondered about some big names buried at Arlington National Cemetery? I know this is bothering you. In this article, we will look at some of the most famous names buried at the Arlington National Cemetery over the past couple of decades, making it one of the United States’ historical sites. Some of these names might surprise you. However, this should be fine with you because the Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of many American heroes and heroines. Here are some of the ten most famous American heroes laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery throughout United States history.

1. President John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy. Photo by Cecil Stoughton.

President John F. Kennedy is one of the most famous United States former presidents and most loved. He was the first Roman Catholic President of the United States and the founder of the idealism of the “new generation of Americans.” He managed to do this with his charm and optimism, which made him become a respectable president America ever had. He was the 35^th United States president and championed the need for the United States to have a strong space program. He also was far from done, as he brought his leadership skills during the Cuban missile attacks before he was assassinated. President Kennedy was buried two times before he was transferred to the Arlington National Cemetery.

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2. Pierre L’Enfant

Pierre L’Enfant was a French-born American engineer and architect known for offering his best idea of the Washington D.C. He studied engineering and art in Europe before relocating to the United States to participate in the Revolutionary War of 1777. President George Washington commissioned him to design the Washington capital, commonly called the Federal city, to become the United States capital. Despite his vigorous ideas, Pierre L’Enfant was released from the project by the commissioners who oversaw the project in 1792. Pierre L’Enfant died on 14^th June 1825, and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. Pierre L’Enfant is still remembered as one of the most influential designers and architects who greatly contributed to American history.

3. William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft. Photo author is unknown.

William Howard Taft is the only person in United States history to have served as the Chief Justice and President. William Howard Taft was first elected as the 27^th President of the United States (1909-1913). He became the Chief Justice (1921-1930). He implemented various progressive reforms, such as the 16^th Constitutional amendment, which established the department of labour and authorized federal tax reforms. His efforts to modernize the courts to increase their efficiency are still recognized in American history when he was the Supreme Court’s Chief justice until his death. William Howard Taft died on 8th March 1930, and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

4. Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall. Photo by

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme court justice. He was also a civil lawyer who, on many occasions, relied on the courts to fight and dismantle the frequent segregation in the United States. Marshal is a famous historical figure still recognized for his works, one being the popular arguing for the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case. A case that was declared separate but equal by the supreme Court. He fought for affirmative action for minorities, supported women’s rights and argued against the death penalty during his 25-year tenure at the Supreme Court. He believed in equal justice for all, fighting discrimination and racism. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery after his death in 1993.

5. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Photo author is unknown.

After serving three decades in the United States Supreme court, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. received recognition as a Great Dissenter. He has since been viewed as one of the greatest libertarians who protected the First Amendment, especially from those who attempted to infringe on it during and after the First World War hostility period. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was also recognized for his eloquent opinions about minority groups in the United States. He always believed that making laws was the sole responsibility of the legislative body and not the courts, and the people had a right to good or bad laws according to those they elected to represent them. Holmes died and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in 1935.

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6. Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy. Photo by U.S. Army.

Audie Murphy is regarded as the most decorated American soldier during the Second World War. Audie Murphy holds the Guinness world record as the most decorated soldier having 24 medals to his name. He died in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia and was buried across the Memorial Amphitheatre. Many people have since visited his graveyard to pay respects to the fallen hero. Audie Murphy was buried in his full military honours with all his medals as a sign of last respect for his achievements. Before his death, Audie had PTSD and severe depression, commonly called battle fatigue.

7. Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy. Photo by Stanley Tretick.

Robert F. Kennedy was the younger brother to John F Kennedy. Robert F. Kennedy served as his brother’s close advisor until his untimely assassination in 1963. During his time, Robert F. Kennedy was recognized for advocating for various civil rights movements, fighting the mafia and organized crimes, and participating in the United States’ involvement in Cuba’s foreign policy. He is continuously remembered for these major tasks and his brilliance. Robert F. Kennedy was the attorney general to his brother John. F. Kennedy and sought to fight poverty problems through better legislation. This helped the private sector to locate poverty-stricken places for better development creating more jobs for those unemployed. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in 1968.

8. Joe Louis

Joe Louis. Photo by Carl Van Vechten.

Joe Louis, also referred to as “the Brown Bomber”, was an American boxer who held the heavyweight title for more than a decade (11 years) from 1937 to 1949. He was born in Alabama but grew up in Detroit, where he began his fighting career. He went ahead to win his matches with 27 knockouts enabling him to hold the title for over a decade. In his career, Joe Louis fought many famous boxers like Max Schmeling from Germany, becoming a cultural icon. He suffered from health and financial problems after retirement and died in 1981. He was awarded full military honours during his burial at the Arlington National Cemetery in 1981.

9. Charles R. Drew

Charles R. Drew. Photo by Betsy Graves Reyneau.

Charles R. Drew was a famous and well-recognized scientist, researcher, and surgeon. He came to light after organizing the first American large-scale blood bank. He simultaneously trained a big generation of black physicians who studied at Howard University. Charles R. Drew was born on 3rd June 1904, in Washington. His innovative works were useful as he received many awards for his success, including the 1942 E.S. Jones Award for Research in Medical Science. He died in 1950 after sustaining injuries from a car accident in Burlington, North Carolina, while attending a conference. Although he died prematurely, Charles R. Drew left a rich legacy in the blood bank field. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in 1950.

10. Mary Lee Fitzhugh Cutis

Mrs Cutis was the wife of George Washington Parke Cutis, who had initially built the Arlington estate. Mary Lee was a well-known episcopal leader whose efforts came in handy in reviving the Virginia Episcopal Church in the early nineteenth century. Her husband was George Washington’s step-grandson and a well-recognized orator and writer. She lived in Arlington, Alexandria, where she started raising funds for the American Colonization Society and the Episcopal churches. These were sought to free all the enslaved African Americans and send them back to Africa. She died in 1953 ad was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In conclusion, Arlington National Cemetary has been a resting place for several personalities, including the military and their families, among other notable people in the society. This place has the remains of the country’s former presidents, top politicians, military people and other people who sacrificed their lives for the country’s greater good.