Thousands of American military veterans from the American Revolution to the Vietnam conflict rest in Union Cemetery. Some came to Kansas City after their military service ended. Some left Kansas City to travel to distant shores to fight to keep our country safe and free.

The Union Cemetery Historical Society honors their memory. Below are just a few names of Union Cemetery's veterans:

Joseph Boggs was a Pennsylvania militiaman in the American Revolutionary War. He died in Westport in 1843. His remains were moved from the Westport cemetery and interred in Union Cemetery.

Nathaniel Gwynne won the Medal of Honor at the age of 15 years and 25 days. Too young to enlist, Gwynne followed his local union. At the battle of Fort Hill in Petersburg, Virginia, he was wounded when he rode across the battlefield to rescue the flag from the Confederates. Since he was merely a camp boy, the Army doctors at first would not treat him. When papers were found which showed he had enlisted the day before, he was put on the rolls. His injuries, a serversd arm and two bullets in his right leg, were then treated. He was given a medical discharge with full benefits. He settled in Memphis, Missouri and later moved to Kansas City, where he sold real estate and became a lawyer. Elected to the Missouri legislature he sponsored the Veteran's benefits bill. He died in January 1883 at 33 years old.

Marie Frauens served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1983 in New York and Washington. On active duty with the Navy, Marie compiled and published technical manuals for the Fire Control Radar Systems of the Navy. Prior to retirement from active commissioned service, Lieutinant Commander Frauens was assigned to the staff of the U.S. Department of Defense in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Development. She moved back to Kansas City in 1983 where she took an active interest in the preservation of Union Cemetery. She died in 1996 at the age of 94 years.

David Payne is the only Vietnam Veteran buried in Union Cemetery. We are awaiting more information from the family about David Payne.