Shiloh Military Cemetery
Longview, Texas
Shiloh Military Cemetery is part of the historic Shiloh Baptist Church grounds in Longview, Texas, and holds deep cultural, historical, and military significance. The land for the church, cemetery, and an early African American school—along with the cost of construction—was donated through the combined efforts of formerly enslaved man Butcher Christian, his former enslaver Gideon Christian, and prominent post–Civil War church organizer Rev. John Baptist.
The cemetery is the final resting place of more than 38 known veterans, spanning service from the Civil War through the Cold War, with ongoing research to identify additional veterans whose graves remain unmarked. Of particular focus is the continued investigation into the possible burial sites of Buffalo Soldiers who called Shiloh home and whose graves may have been vandalized, neglected, or lost over time.
What is collectively referred to as Shiloh Military Cemetery is actually composed of three smaller cemeteries located in close proximity to Shiloh Baptist Church, all of which contain the remains of honored military veterans. The third and most recent addition to the cemetery grounds was nearly lost during a sheriff’s land sale decades ago. Through the efforts of local advocate and Christian family heir Debra Christian, the land was preserved. Ms. Christian continues to advocate for comprehensive research to locate and protect the remains of veterans—particularly Buffalo Soldiers—who may still be buried beneath existing homes and structures built over the historic grounds.
The Shiloh community itself is part of one of Texas’s historic Freedom Colonies, established by emancipated African Americans following the Civil War. This designation further underscores the significance of these hallowed grounds. Shiloh stands as one of many Freedom Colony cemeteries across Texas that are in urgent need of research, documentation, and preservation to ensure their stories—and the sacrifices of those buried there—are not lost to history.
Debra Christian
210-802-1917
WRRF Liaison
VETERANS
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Private First Class, United States Army, WWI
November 1, 1891 - August 24, 1953
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Airman Second Class, United States Air Force, Korea
June 12, 1931 - June 23, 1989
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United States Army, WWI
December 3, 1922 - March 7, 1995
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Petty Officer, United States Navy, WWII
July 4, 1914 - April 23, 1993
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United States Army, WWI
MM DD, 1892 - MM DD, 1971
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Private First Class, United States Army, WWII
February 22, 1927 - October 4, 1999
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Private First Class, United States Army, WWI
January 14, 1896 - February 19, 1958
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Private, United States Army, WWI
March 11, 1921 - September 20, 1966
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Corporal, United States Army, WWII?-Korea
December 24, 1918 - October 29, 1988
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Petty Officer First Class, United States Navy Reserve, WWII
February 13, 1926 - March 8, 1952
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United States Army, WWII
December 29, 1922 - March 3, 2000
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Private, United States Army, WWI
MM DD, YYYY - MM DD, YYYY
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United States Army, WWII
July 26, 1925 - October 23, 2008
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Technician Fifth Grade, United States Army, WWII
November 12, 1918 - July 25, 1971
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Private, United States Army, Korea
March 1, 1929 - January 15, 1980
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United States Navy, Vietnam
February 25, 1933 - May 25, 1995
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Airman, United States Air Force, Cold War
October 12, 1951 - May 31, 1997
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Private, United States Army, WWI
April 9, 1896 - August 5, 1946
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Private, United States Army, WWII
February 14, 1927 - May 31, 1951
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Private Frist Class, United States Army, WWII
July 31, 1909 - MM 27, 1983
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Staff Sergeant, United States Army, WWII
September 4, 1906 - January 31, 1970
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Private First Class, United States Army, WWII
May 10, 1919 - May 21, 1960
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United States Army, WWII
April 3, 1950 - September 23, 1977
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Private First Class, United States Army, WWII
July 11, 1925 - January 24, 2009
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Private, United States Army, WWII
October 28, 1903 - August 23, 1956
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Private?, United States Army, WWII
January 15, 1892 - April 1, 1945
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United States Army?, WWII
October 24, 1916 - June 12, 1980
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Private, United States Army, WWII
February 26, 1911 - March 24, 1966
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Private, United States Army Air Forces, WWII
March 15, 1926 - December 31, 1950
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Private, United States Army, Korea
October 9, 1929 - April 24, 1976
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