Wars and Battlefields
New Mexico Military History
Webster describes war as a state
or period of armed conflict between nations, states or parties.
New Mexico has had, and still has, a strong connection to the
state of war, both past and present. Visit the battlefields,
museums, national monuments, national cemeteries, army and air
force bases, and war memorial's dedicated to the men and women
who served our country in military endeavors. Learn more about
the military life that is an intricate part of New Mexico history!
National Cemeteries
- Santa Fe National Cemetery - Santa Fe National Cemetery is located
within the city limits of Santa Fe, N.M., approximately one mile
northwest of the main plaza. A granite and bronze memorial to
World War II Glider Pilots was dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov.
11, 1994. A granite memorial to Women Who Served in the Navy
was erected in November 1995. The Roadrunner Unit No. 4, New
Mexico Chapter, sponsored the memorial. The China-Burma-India
Veterans Memorial is a granite block memorial erected in 2002.
It is dedicated to the memory of the men and women who fought
in World War II. 501 North Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM (505)
988-6400
- Fort Bayard National Cemetery - Named Fort Bayard in honor of General
G.D. Bayard, who died from wounds received during the Battle
of Fredericksburg, and who had served in New Mexico and Arizona
prior to the Civil War. The U.S. Army launched numerous attacks
against the Apache from Fort Bayard during the 1870-80s, which
ended only with the surrender of the Apache Chief Geronimo. The
first known interment at Fort Bayard was Sergeant David H. Boyd
of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, buried Oct. 10, 1866. In 1899, the Army
deactivated Fort Bayard and established it as a tuberculosis
hospital and research center. In 1922, the hospital was transferred
to the Veterans Bureau, which became part of the new Veterans
Administration in 1930. Fort Bayard Cemetery was established
the same year, and became part of the National Cemetery System
in 1973 when its administration was transferred from the Department
of the Army to the Veterans Administration. In the 1990s, the
state of New Mexico donated 3.95 acres to the cemetery. Located
in Fort Bayard, N.M., but under the direction of Fort
Bliss, El Paso (915) 564-0201
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Civil War Battlefields
- Civil War in New Mexico - (1861-1862)
- Battle at Glorieta Pass - (March 26-28, 1862)
- Pecos
National Historical Park
- Pecos National Historical Park contains the ruins of the ancient
15th-century Pueblo of Pecos, the remains of two Spanish missions
built in the 17th and 18th centuries, numerous archaeological
sites in a landmark area on the Santa Fe Trail, and the site
of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. Interpretive programs.
Guided tours available with advanced reservations. Located 2
miles south of Pecos, NM on NM 63 (505) 757-6414
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Range Wars
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Foreign Wars
- Bataan Memorial Death March - Participate in an annual march in
memory of this historic event. A 26.2 mile route on which soldiers
during WWII were forced to walk without food and water, due to
the surrender of Bataan. The soldiers are from New Mexico and
other states. White Sands Missile Range, NM
E-mail: bataan@wsmr.army.mil
- Bataan Memorial Military Museum and Library - The central focus of the museum is
the men of the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment which was sent
to the Philippine Islands early in WWII to furnish anti-aircraft
support to Clark Air Field and Fort Stotsenberg. The Regiment
was divided to form the 515th Coast Artillery Regiment while
in the Philippines. Both of the Regiments were lost to enemy
action on Bataan when the Japanese overran the Philippines in
1942. The 200th consisted of 1,800 men when deployed. After three
and one half years of captivity, less than half were to return
to the United States. Located in Santa Fe, NM (505) 474-1670
- Deming Luna Mimbres Museum - Terrific museum! Military history
includes Fort Cummings (1863), Camp Cody (WWI), Deming Army Air
Base (WWII) and a memorial to heroes of Bataan Death March. A
new section honors local participants of those times and of more
recent actions. Other exhibits include the original Custom House
(located across the street), Hispanic room, a wonderful doll
room, an art gallery, antique autos, a collection of unique bottles
of all shapes and sizes, Harvey House, and a fine collection
of Mimbres Indian pottery and more. 301 S. Silver, Deming,
NM (505) 546-2383
- Mexican-American War - read about this attempt at a takeover. Find
out where it happened. You will be surprised at the cities in
New Mexico that were involved.
- Pancho Villa State Park - On March 9, 1916, the soldiers of
General Francisco "Pancho" Villa attacked the small
border town of Columbus and Camp Furlong. Pancho Villa State
Park contains extensive historical exhibits which depict this
raid, the first armed invasion of the continental United States
since the War of 1812. Desert gardens, visitor center, campsites
and near the Columbus Historical Museum, (505) 531-2620, in the
old railroad depot! Columbus, NM (505) 531-2711
- Rough Riders Museum Collection - The City of Las Vegas Museum and Rough
Rider Memorial Collection illustrates the history of Las Vegas,
its connection to the Rough Riders, the Santa Fé Trail
and the development of New Mexico. The museum is housed in a
1940 Works Progress Administration funded building. Originally
constructed as a municipal building, the structure is a venerable
stone building with Pueblo Revival elements. The museum houses
a significant collection of artifacts, archives and photographs
from the Rough Riders, or the 1st Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
of the Spanish-American War. The Rough Rider Memorial Collection
contains items relating to the 1898 Cuban Campaign of the Spanish-American
War, Theodore Roosevelt and Roosevelt’s Rough Rider Association
reunions. Also included are collections of local Native American
pottery, household items, costumes, ranching and farming equipment.
Contact museum before taking the trip: museum@desertgate.com,
727 Grand Ave., Las Vegas, NM (505) 454-1401, Ext. 283
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Vietnam War
- Vietnam Memorial Wall - November 8, 2003 - This retired traveling
wall was dedicated and will remain at
the Memorial Park next to the Veterans Center Home at Truth
Or Consequences, NM
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall -
a monument to honor the men from the Four Corners Area who served
our country in this tragic police action. North Butler &
Carlton Street, Farmington, NM (800) 448-1240
- Vietnam Veterans National Memorial - The Visitor's Center includes a history
of conflict display, with videos and memorabilia. Veterans can
use on-site computers to get information about loved ones. Volunteers
are available at the memorial to assist veterans and other visitors
with personal issues and educational tours for schools, churches
and veteran groups. Open every day. Surrounded by scenic vistas,
8,500 feet above sea level, five minutes from the slopes of Angel
Fire Ski Resort, Angel Fire, NM (505) 377-6900
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Military Bases in
New Mexico
- Kirtland Air Force Base -
The 377th Air Base Wing, host organization at Kirtland Air Force
Base, was activated under the Air Force Materiel Command Jan.
1, 1993. The mission of the wing is to provide world-class nuclear
surety, expeditionary forces, and support to base operations.
Albuquerque, NM (505) 846-5991
- Cannon
Air Force Base -
Home of the 27th Fighter Wing, located in the high plains of
eastern New Mexico. Clovis, NM (505) 784-4131; DSN 681-4131
- Holloman Air Force Base - The
49th Fighter Wing supports national security objectives with
mission-ready F-117A stealth fighters, an Air Transportable Clinic
and Bare Base assets. The wing deploys worldwide to support peacetime
and wartime contingencies, trains USAF aircrews in F-117A and
T-38A and allied aircrews in F-4F Fighter Transition and Weapons
Instructor Courses, and provides support to over 18,000 personnel
to include German Air Force Tornado operations. Alamogordo,
NM (505) 572-5406
- Army's
White Sands Missile Range
- A unique tri-service
facility for test, evaluation, research, and assessment of military
systems and commercial products. Near Las Cruces, NM (505)
678-1134; DSN 258-1134
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Other Military Related
Exhibits
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