Deaths in the 1980s

Walter Flowers

1933–1984 (age 51)

Arlington National Cemetery

Walter Flowers was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama.

Gregory Jarvis

1944–1986 (age 42)

Arlington National Cemetery

Gregory Jarvis was a NASA astronaut and mission specialist who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Albert Wedemeyer

1897–1989 (age 92)

Arlington National Cemetery

Albert Wedemeyer was a four-star Army general and strategic military planner during World War II and the Cold War.

Arthur D. Nicholson

1947–1985 (age 38)

Arlington National Cemetery

Arthur D. Nicholson was a U.S. Army officer killed during the Cold War while on a reconnaissance mission in East Germany...

John S. McCain, Jr.

1911–1981 (age 70)

Arlington National Cemetery

John S. McCain, Jr. was a four-star admiral and naval aviator who commanded U.S. Pacific forces during the Vietnam War.

Pappy Boyington

1912–1988 (age 76)

Arlington National Cemetery

Pappy Boyington was a legendary Marine Corps fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient known for his exploits in World ...

Lyman Lemnitzer

1899–1988 (age 89)

Arlington National Cemetery

Lyman Lemnitzer was a four-star Army general who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Kennedy and ...

Arthur S. Moreau, Jr.

1931–1986 (age 55)

Arlington National Cemetery

Arthur S. Moreau, Jr. was a U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot who died in a crash.

Finn Ronne

1899–1980 (age 81)

Arlington National Cemetery

Finn Ronne was a Norwegian-American polar explorer and admiral who led major Antarctic expeditions.

S. David Griggs

1939–1989 (age 50)

Arlington National Cemetery

S. David Griggs was a NASA astronaut and Air Force pilot who died in a plane crash.

Robert Dennison

1901–1980 (age 79)

Arlington National Cemetery

Robert Dennison was a four-star admiral who commanded major U.S. naval forces during the Cold War.

Barbara Allen Rainey

1948–1982 (age 34)

Arlington National Cemetery

Barbara Allen Rainey was a NASA astronaut and mission specialist on Space Shuttle missions.

Walter John Stoessel

1920–1986 (age 66)

Arlington National Cemetery

Walter John Stoessel was a U.S. diplomat who served as Ambassador to multiple countries including Poland and the Soviet ...

Robert John Fleming

1907–1984 (age 77)

Arlington National Cemetery

Robert John Fleming was a U.S. Army officer and general who served in various command positions.

Frank Thompson

1918–1989 (age 71)

Arlington National Cemetery

Frank Thompson was a U.S. Congressman from New Jersey who served multiple terms in the House of Representatives.

Joseph E. Casey

1898–1980 (age 82)

Arlington National Cemetery

Joseph E. Casey was a U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts who represented his district in the House.

William H. Simpson

1888–1980 (age 92)

Arlington National Cemetery

William H. Simpson was a four-star Army general who commanded the Ninth Army during World War II.

William E. Miller

1914–1983 (age 69)

Arlington National Cemetery

William E. Miller was a U.S. Congressman and Republican Vice Presidential nominee in 1964.

William O. Douglas

1898–1980 (age 82)

Arlington National Cemetery

William O. Douglas was a Supreme Court Justice who served for 36 years and was a prolific legal scholar.

Melvin Zais

1916–1981 (age 65)

Arlington National Cemetery

Melvin Zais was a four-star Army general who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.

George M. Grant

1897–1982 (age 85)

Arlington National Cemetery

George M. Grant was a U.S. Army officer and general who served in various military command positions.

H. R. Gross

1899–1987 (age 88)

Arlington National Cemetery

H. R. Gross was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa.

William Francis Buckley

1928–1985 (age 57)

Arlington National Cemetery

William Francis Buckley was an influential American conservative intellectual, author, and founder of the National Revie...

James G. O'Hara

1925–1989 (age 64)

Arlington National Cemetery

James G. O'Hara was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan.

James W. Huffman

1894–1980 (age 86)

Arlington National Cemetery

James W. Huffman was an American politician and businessman from Ohio.

John Porter East

1931–1986 (age 55)

Arlington National Cemetery

John Porter East was an American politician and U.S. Senator from North Carolina.

Nicholas Soussanin

1889–1981 (age 92)

Arlington National Cemetery

Nicholas Soussanin was a Russian-American military officer and diplomat.

Francis William Farrell

1900–1981 (age 81)

Arlington National Cemetery

Francis William Farrell was an American military officer and government official.

Margaret McNamara

1915–1981 (age 66)

Arlington National Cemetery

Margaret McNamara was an American philanthropist and wife of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

John Cogswell Oakes

1906–1982 (age 76)

Arlington National Cemetery

John Cogswell Oakes was an American journalist and editor at The New York Times.

Robert McGowan Littlejohn

1890–1982 (age 92)

Arlington National Cemetery

Robert McGowan Littlejohn was an American businessman and government official.

William Chapman Foster

1897–1984 (age 87)

Arlington National Cemetery

William Chapman Foster was an American diplomat and arms control official.

George Jacob Richards

1891–1984 (age 93)

Arlington National Cemetery

George Jacob Richards was an American businessman and radio executive.

Albert Eger Brown

1889–1984 (age 95)

Arlington National Cemetery

Albert Eger Brown was an American military officer and government administrator.

Andrew C. Tychsen

1893–1986 (age 93)

Arlington National Cemetery

Andrew C. Tychsen was an American military officer and naval official.

Jess Larson

1904–1987 (age 83)

Arlington National Cemetery

Jess Larson was an American government official who served as Administrator of General Services.

Pierre R. Graham

1922–1988 (age 66)

Arlington National Cemetery

Pierre R. Graham was a U.S. military officer who served his country and was honored with burial at Arlington National Ce...

Howard Francis Corcoran

1906–1989 (age 83)

Arlington National Cemetery

Howard Francis Corcoran was an American military serviceman from Pawtucket who was laid to rest at Arlington National Ce...

Joseph Finnegan

1905–1980 (age 75)

Arlington National Cemetery

Joseph Finnegan was a U.S. military officer whose service was recognized with burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Stephen D. Thorne

1953–1986 (age 33)

Arlington National Cemetery

Stephen D. Thorne was an American serviceman stationed in Frankfurt whose military career culminated in his burial at Ar...

Theodore R. Cogswell

1918–1987 (age 69)

Arlington National Cemetery

Theodore R. Cogswell was a U.S. military officer from Coatesville honored with burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Violet Heming

1895–1981 (age 86)

Arlington National Cemetery

Violet Heming was a British-born actress and performer whose life spanned from Leeds to international recognition.

Willis Dale Crittenberger

1890–1980 (age 90)

Arlington National Cemetery

Willis Dale Crittenberger was a U.S. Army general from Baltimore who served with distinction and was buried at Arlington...

Phelps Phelps

1897–1981 (age 84)

Arlington National Cemetery

Phelps Phelps was an American diplomat and military officer stationed in Bonn who was honored with burial at Arlington N...

Bruce Cooper Clarke

1901–1988 (age 87)

Arlington National Cemetery

Bruce Cooper Clarke was a U.S. Army general from Adams whose military leadership was recognized with burial at Arlington...

John H. Michaelis

1912–1985 (age 73)

Arlington National Cemetery

John H. Michaelis was a U.S. Army officer stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco whose military service was honored ...

Al Schmid

1920–1982 (age 62)

Arlington National Cemetery

Al Schmid was a U.S. Marine from Burholme who became a decorated combat veteran and war hero.

Joseph C. Burger

1902–1982 (age 80)

Arlington National Cemetery

Joseph C. Burger was a U.S. government official from Washington, D.C. whose public service was recognized with burial at...

Harry Haywood

1898–1985 (age 87)

Arlington National Cemetery

Harry Haywood was an African American communist activist and organizer from South Omaha who was a prominent political fi...

Justice M. Chambers

1908–1982 (age 74)

Arlington National Cemetery

Justice M. Chambers was a U.S. military officer from Huntington who served his country and was buried at Arlington Natio...