Visiting Arlington Cemetery Black heroes and African American history from the cemetery is a great history learning idea for kids. This powerful walking tour information brings stories to life beyond textbooks and lesson plans. Add this to your unit studies (or even virtual tours) to honor the brave Black men and Black women who fought for freedom, justice, and equality. Great ideas for roadschooling and unschooling, too! FREE EDUCATIONAL GUIDES INCLUDED!
Arlington Cemetery Black Heroes for Studying African American History
If you’re visiting the Washington D.C. area with kids (or live near that area), it’s definitely worth doing a walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery (across the bridge from the District of Columbia in Arlington, Virginia) as part of your history unit studies!
The cemetery offers a wide-range of gravesites for different heroes, leaders, and military personnel, but for this post I’m going to focus on the gravesites of Black leaders and individuals.
From the historic gravesites of soldiers and civil rights pioneers to quiet moments of reflection at memorials, each stop in this cemetery tour offers a chance for your learners to connect with the past and gain a greater appreciation for the contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history.
It’s a great way to open discussions on the the soldiers who protected settlers, built infrastructure, and fought bravely — all while facing discrimination and hardship, and to learn about how African Americans helped shape U.S. military history.
Some of the historical stories will include hard truths, but they also show how people stood strong and made a difference in history. So don’t shy away from discussing those stories with your kids!
LEARNING TIP: If you can’t visit in person, use the information, links, and Black history books we’ve provided here for a virtual tour learning unit!
For a general overview of Arlington Cemetery’s history, start with books like:
*more history book recommendations under different sections in the post
Free Videos:
Using Tours of African American History at Arlington National Cemetery For Learning Opportunities
This is a list of some of the African American gravesites at the Arlington Cemetery that you can visit during your own self-guided walking tour.
It’s also a great list of Black Americans to add to your history lesson planning all year, ideas for Black History Month, things to study for Veterans Day and Memorial Day ideas for kids.
***Don’t miss the links to free educational guides at the bottom of the post.
GET MORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IDEAS AND HISTORY UNIT STUDIES HERE
PLANNING NOTE: I’ve listed the grave sites in section order here so that you can easily identify their location and plan for notable graves to visit just outside of the Nation’s capital. YOU CAN VIEW A MAP OF ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (ANC) HERE.
Alexander T. Augusta (1825–1890) – Grave 124-C
The U.S. Army’s first African American physician and hospital administrator. Served as a surgeon during the Civil War and became a medical professor at Howard University.
Isaiah Mays (1858–1925) – Grave 630-B
Medal of Honor recipient and Buffalo Soldier who defended an Army paymaster during the Wham Paymaster Robbery of 1889.
O.S.B. Wall (1825–1891) – Grave 124-B
One of the first Black officers in the Union Army. After the Civil War, he became a lawyer and D.C.’s first African American justice of the peace.
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. (1877–1970) – Grave E-478-B
The first Black general in the U.S. Army, he served with distinction in the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII, and advised on military race relations.
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (1912–2002) – Grave E-311-RH
Commander of the Tuskegee Airmen and first African American general in the U.S. Air Force. Led air operations in WWII and helped implement military desegregation.
James Reese Europe (1881–1919) – Grave 3576
WWI bandleader of the Harlem Hellfighters. He also introduced African American music to European audiences and was a pioneer in jazz!
Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. (1920–1978) – Grave 4968
First African American four-star general in the U.S. military. Flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam and commanded NORAD.
Charles Young (1864–1922) – Grave 1730-B
Born into slavery, Young became the first African American colonel and national park superintendent, and served as a military attache in Liberia.
Lemuel A. Penn (1915–1964) – Grave 1377-LH
WWII veteran and assistant superintendent of D.C. schools. Murdered by the KKK in 1964; his case was the first civil rights conviction under the Civil Rights Act.
George H. Wanton (1868–1940) – Grave 2749
Buffalo Soldier and one of the few African Americans to receive the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Spanish-American War.
*see our list of recommended kids’ books on Buffalo Soldier history below
Roscoe C. “Rock” Cartwright (1919–1974) – Grave 140
WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veteran and the first Black OCS graduate promoted to brigadier general. Founder of The Rocks, an organization supporting Black officers.
Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993) – Grave 40-3
The first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice and civil rights lawyer who argued Brown v. Board of Education.
Lee “Buddy” Archer (1919–2010) – Grave 9215 RH
Tuskegee Airman who flew 169 combat missions in WWII and shot down three German planes in one battle. Retired as a lieutenant colonel.
*see our list of recommended kids’ books on Tuskegee Airman history below
Joe Louis (1914–1981) – Grave 177
World heavyweight boxing champion who boosted troop morale during WWII by fighting nearly 100 exhibition matches for U.S. soldiers.
Roscoe Robinson Jr. (1928–1993) – Grave 18
First African American to attain the rank of four-star general in the U.S. Army. Served in Korea, Vietnam, and NATO command roles.
Matthew A. Henson (1886–1955) – Grave S-15-1
Co-discovered the North Pole with Robert Peary in 1909. Later recognized for his Arctic exploration and achievements after facing racial discrimination.
Frank Snowden (1885–1977) – Grave 8471-3
Served as the senior African American officer at Camp Lee during WWII and advised the Army on race relations.
James Parks (1843–1929) – Grave 2
Born into slavery on the Arlington estate, Parks worked at the cemetery for decades and is the only person buried there who was born on the grounds.
Namahyoke “Namah” Curtis (1861–1935) – Grave 15999-A-1
A pioneering African American nurse who recruited dozens of Black women to serve as Army contract nurses during the Spanish-American War.
Milton Holland (1844–1910) – Grave 21713
Born into slavery, Holland received the Medal of Honor for taking command during a Civil War battle after white officers were killed, leading his men to victory.
Henry Johnson (1892–1929) – Grave 64
WWI Harlem Hellfighter who single-handedly repelled a German raid despite being wounded 21 times. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Marcelite Jordan Harris (1943–2018) – Grave 621-RH
The first African American female general in the U.S. Air Force, Harris broke numerous barriers and championed women’s leadership in the military.
Frank E. Petersen Jr. (1932–2015) – Grave 4571
The Marine Corps’ first African American aviator and general, Petersen flew over 350 combat missions and broke barriers throughout his military career.
Medgar Evers (1925–1963) – Grave 1431
WWII veteran and civil rights activist assassinated for fighting segregation and injustice in Mississippi. His death galvanized the civil rights movement.
CHILDREN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS TOPIC:
- The Autobiography Of Medgar Evers: A Hero’s Life and Legacy Revealed Through His Writings, Letters, and Speeches
Cornelius H. Charlton (1929–1951) – Grave 300
Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for leading a charge during the Korean War, even after being severely wounded.
Spottswood Poles (1887–1962) – Grave 2324
Negro League baseball legend and Harlem Hellfighter in WWI who earned five battle stars and the Purple Heart.
Children’s Book Recommendation on This Topic:
Louia Vaughn Jones (1895–1965) – Grave 511
Renowned violinist and Howard University professor, Jones served as assistant bandleader in WWI and performed across Europe.
Colin L. Powell (1937–2021) – Grave 11917
First Black National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Secretary of State. Powell was a military and diplomatic icon.
CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR THIS TOPIC:
Hazel W. Johnson-Brown (1927–2011) – Grave 9836
The first Black woman general in American military history and chief of the Army Nurse Corps.
Allie G. Harshaw (1918–2013) – Grave 5494
Tuskegee Airmen physical therapist and member of the all-Black 6888th Postal Battalion. First Black woman to retire as master sergeant in the Air Force.
Ruth Lucas (1920–2013) – Grave 6031
First African American woman to become a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. A dedicated educator and recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (1922–2004) – Grave 7417
First African American to command a U.S. Navy fleet, Gravely became a vice admiral and shattered Navy racial barriers over a 38-year career.
The 6888th was the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas in World War II.
Known as the Six Triple Eight, these women worked around the clock to clear a massive backlog of mail for U.S. troops in Europe.
In 2022, the Unit received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR THIS TOPIC:
VISIT: You can honor members of the 6888th at Columbarium Court 7, Section PP, where several are laid to rest, including Mary Crawford Ragland.
Mary Crawford Ragland (1922–2010) – Section PP, Column 2, Niche 5
Member of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, Ragland helped eliminate mail backlogs in Europe during WWII.
Arlington National Cemetery Black History Sections To Visit
Freedman’s Village at Arlington Cemetery And Section 27
Freedman’s Village was a community built during the Civil War on the grounds of what is now Arlington National Cemetery.
Established in 1863 by the U.S. government, it provided formerly enslaved African Americans with housing, schools, churches, and a hospital as they began their new lives in freedom.
For decades, Freedman’s Village served as a place of hope, education, and opportunity in an area that was just steps from the former plantation that had once enslaved many of its residents.
Today, while no original buildings from Freedman’s Village remain, this area and also Section 27 of the cemetery, holds the graves of over 3,000 formerly enslaved people and those dubbed contrabands, which stood for confiscated enemy property.
According to the cemetery site: “‘contraband’ was the U.S. government’s designation for those who were freed as Union forces moved south during the war, or who had escaped from local Virginia and Maryland slave owners.”
These were men, women, and children who lived in or around the village and sought freedom during the Civil War.
Their headstones are marked with Civilian or Citizen.
Though the village no longer stands, its legacy lives on at Arlington as a powerful symbol of resilience and freedom. This area serves as a quiet, solemn reminder of their lives and legacy.
The former Freedman’s Village is estimated to be around Sections 4, 8, 20 & 34, with more grave sites of enslaved people are located in the area near Sections 27 and 31, on the southern end of the Arlington National Cemetery.
Be sure to stop at those areas during your visit to honor the history.
United States Colored Troops (USCT) – Sections 23 & 27
You may also see tombstones with military designations that include a Civil War shield and the letters U.S.C.T. or U.S.C.I. (United States Colored Infantry).
These indicate soldiers from the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) during the Civil War.
The United States Colored Troops were African American soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War, making up nearly 10% of the Union Army.
Over 178,000 Black men served bravely in segregated units, many sacrificing their lives for freedom and justice.
VISIT: At Arlington, you can find USCT graves in Sections 23 and 27, marked with headstones that include a Civil War shield and the letters U.S.C.T. or U.S.C.I. (United States Colored Infantry).
Tuskegee Airmen at Arlington Cemetery
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military pilots in U.S. history.
Many of these heroes are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and a special memorial tree and plaque in Section 46 honors them all.
Their legacy helped desegregate the U.S. military with courage and talent.
CHILDREN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS TOPIC:
Buffalo Soldiers at Arlington Cemetery
The Buffalo Soldiers were African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War, beginning in 1866.
They were part of six all-Black regiments that were created by Congress to help patrol and protect the western frontier.
Buffalo Soldiers:
- Fought in the Indian Wars of the Great Plains.
- Built roads, protected settlers, and delivered mail.
- Served in major battles like the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.
- Helped guard the U.S. border during the early 1900s.
Also, 14 Buffalo Soldiers earned the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award!
CHILDREN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS TOPIC:
VISIT: There is a Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Plaque located in Section 35, near the Rough Riders Monument.
This plaque pays tribute to all Buffalo Soldiers who served during the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and beyond. It’s a peaceful spot to pause and reflect on their strength, service, and sacrifice.
Also, visit these individual Buffalo soldiers gravesites:
- Cpl. Isaiah Mays – Medal of Honor recipient (Section 1, Grave 630-B)
- Master Sgt. George H. Wanton – Spanish-American War hero (Section 4, Grave 2749)
- Col. Charles Young – First Black colonel in the U.S. Army (Section 3, Grave 1730-B)
LINKS TO FREE PRINTABLES FOR BLACK HISTORY AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
- Freedmans-Village-Walking-Tour.pdf
- Walking Tour: African American Firsts
- Walking Tour: Segregation and Civil Rights
- Walking Tour: African American Military Heroes
HISTORICAL NOTE: In early 2025, links to this information was ordered removed from the official Arlington National Cemetery website. The information presented here still retains the historical accuracy. The links provided in sources were available through the Wayback Machine as of the initial writing of this post, March 22, 2025, but may be disabled at some point in the future. I’ll do my best to keep the information updated and available.
MORE IDEAS FOR BLACK HISTORY FOR KIDS TO STUDY:
Black History Month Lessons for Kids
Children’s Podcasts For Black History
Martin Luther King Jr Activities for Kids
How To Host An MLK Sunday Supper
Juneteenth for Kids Activities
I hope you find this information on Arlington Cemetery Black heroes helpful for your U.S. history studies!
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