Back to original page Printer Friendly Version of REDTT's: 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 Some beautiful photos of Santa Fe National Cemetery 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 Civil War Battlefields Civil War in New Mexico - (1861-1862) Battle at Valverde - (February 1862) - Socorro County Battle of Peralta - (April 1862) - Valencia County New Mexico Culture Net AND Northeast New Mexico site - Two Web sites about the civil wars in New Mexico with maps, photos, documents, soldier information, artifacts, related links, and more! 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 Range Wars Lincoln County War - A Web site that gives some history and location of the site. Also, visit the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway Web site, a driving tour through Lincoln County, NM Colfax County War - Tour the county of Colfax where this historical war occurred. 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 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 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 Other Military Related Exhibits Confederate Soldiers Buried in New Mexico or West Texas after the end of the war between the states. General Douglas L. McBride Museum - The New Mexico Military Institute presents artifacts and exhibits about U.S. military history and the Bataan Death March. On campus at 101 W. College Blvd. in Roswell, NM (505) 624-8220 National Atomic Museum - Presenting the history of the atomic age. Virtual tour, event calendar, museum gift shop and more at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM (505) 284-3243 Trinity Site - See the site where the 1st atomic bomb was detonated in 1945! Tours to the site every 1st Saturday in April and October. White Sands Missile Range, NM (505) 678-1134/1700 U.S. Air Force F-111 Static Display - Portales, NM (800) 635-8036 War Eagles Air Museum - This museum is a tribute to military aviation, including aircraft of WWII and the Korean War. Santa Teresa, NM (505) 589-2000 White Sands Missile Range Museum - Find out how the atomic age began! Or click here for schedules and prices for the White Sands National Monument. It's a fun place to go!! White Sands, NM (505) 678-8824 Back to original page .