The U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery is a place of remarkable natural beauty and solemn significance. It serves not only as the final resting place for many distinguished individuals but also as the site of several notable structures that honor their service and legacy.

The most prominent structure is the Memorial Pavilion. Dedicated on May 11, 2007 — after years of ceremonies being disrupted by inclement weather — this elegant facility was funded by the Association of Graduates. More than 11,000 alumni and friends contributed to the $4.7 million project, making it the largest single gift ever presented to the Academy.

Nearby stands the locator building, which shares the architectural style of the Memorial Pavilion. It houses interactive kiosks that help visitors locate grave markers and learn more about those interred there.

Another key feature is the Memorial Wall, dedicated in 1981. It bears plaques from various air-related units, commemorating their contributions and honoring comrades lost in combat. Also dedicated in 1981 is the 40-foot-tall American Legion Memorial Tower, which pays tribute to service members from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Originally situated on the hill west of the Cadet Chapel, the tower was relocated to the cemetery in October 1996.

In October 2007, a bronze sculpture of an Air Force Honor Guard was added. A gift from Ross Perot, the eight-foot-tall statue is a replica of the one at the United States Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Two additional statues, The Airman on the Meadow and Winged Refuge, were dedicated near the Memorial Pavilion in November 2011. The Airman on the Meadow features an uplifted arm that echoes the spirit of John Gillespie McGee’s poem High Flight, while Winged Refuge—a striking set of 17.5-foot Art Deco wings—celebrates the legacy of aviation and its importance to the Academy’s mission.