My Friends at Cuzco Cemetery

I have done some research on the Cuzco Cemetery. I discovered that at one time there were several small cemeteries around the base and in the late 1940s many remains were moved to the Cuzco Cemetery. This accounts for the tombstones being so uniform. I also found more information on the two residents I found so intriguing.

First, Kumaji Makamota did not die in a wreck as I assumed the abbreviation wrck on the tombstone referred to. I found the application for the new tombstone when he was moved to the Cuzco Cemetery. WRCK stands for Wardroom Cook. I also found his enlistment record. He was born in Japan. He was living in Brooklyn and working as a waiter when he enlisted. He enlisted on August 25, 1897. He served in the Spanish American War aboard the USS Cincinnati at Matanzas, Cuba on April 27, 1900. He was Honorable Discharged on August 24, 1900 and reenlisted on August 25, 1900. He died on February 22, 1902. The records do not indicate how he died. It is likely he was a victim of Yellow Fever… but I will continue to research.  I also have found no record of relatives.  Where is your family Kumaji?

Second, Gertrude Myers Russell’s tombstone indicates that she was from Kansas and that she was a civilian employee. I wrongly assumed that she was here unaccompanied. I was able to find the obituary of her daughter, Corrie Russell Snell. What I learned was that Corrie was born on November 14, 1922 in Guantanamo Bay Cuba to Gertrude Myers Russell and William Edward Russell. Gertrude died just 5 days later probably from complications of child birth. I still don’t know what job she had or why she was at GTMO…. Still many questions.

I took a genealogy class from a woman who believed firmly that those who have passed on want to be remembered and want their stories to be told. She felt strongly that they will reach out from the other side to help us find the clues.  I feel like Kumaji and Gertrude have reached out to me and want their stories told. I’m not sure where this will take me, but I will follow the clues, and I will keep you all posted.