West Point Cemetery

West Point Cemetery is a military burial ground in Orange County, set on a hillside over the Hudson River and holding more than 3,000 graves marked by white marble headstones arranged in straight rows. Wide pathways run through the grounds, letting visitors move between sections and look out toward the river below.

Early burials took place during the Revolutionary War when soldiers of the Continental Army died at the site. In 1817 the grounds received official designation as a military cemetery and have since served as a resting place for members of the armed forces.

Families, graduates and military personnel gather on the grounds for formal occasions, often in uniform and following military ritual that honors the deceased. Some headstones carry personal tokens or medals left by relatives alongside the name and rank.

Visiting requires valid identification and compliance with security procedures enforced at the entry points of the military academy. Those coming should respect the quiet of the site and follow the rules posted on the grounds.

An officer who fought under the flag of Israel lies buried here despite being an American citizen and serving a foreign army. This exception reflects the close connection between his military background and his later mission in the Middle East.

Location: Orange County

Inception: 1817

Website: https://westpoint.edu/about/west-point-cemetery

GPS coordinates: 41.39889,-73.96722

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24