Fort Jackson National Cemetery

Visiting The Region / Richland County

4170 Percival Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2246
Rows of white gravestones with small American flags placed in front of each, standing upright on a green lawn. The scene suggests a military cemetery honoring fallen soldiers. Rows of white gravestones are neatly aligned in a large cemetery, each adorned with small American flags. The area is surrounded by lush green trees under a cloudy sky. A cemetery scene with numerous white headstones in rows, each adorned with small American flags. People are walking and standing among the graves, some wearing formal attire. Tall trees are in the background.

Fort Jackson National Cemetery, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a United States National Cemetery that serves as a final resting place for veterans and their eligible family members. Established on land formerly part of the Fort Jackson military installation, the cemetery spans 585 acres and provides dignified interment options for veterans in the region.

History

The origins of Fort Jackson trace back to 1917 when Major Douglas MacArthur announced its establishment as Camp Jackson, named after President Andrew Jackson. The post was demobilized in 1921 but remained active as a South Carolina National Guard training camp. Reactivated in 1939, it was renamed Fort Jackson and played a significant role during World War II, training nine Army divisions.

Following the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, the Department of Veterans Affairs identified the Columbia-Greenville area as lacking sufficient burial options for veterans. In 2008, the Department of Defense transferred land from Fort Jackson to the National Cemetery Administration for the development of a national cemetery. Fort Jackson National Cemetery was formally dedicated the same year and opened for burials in 2009.

Interments

Since its opening, the cemetery has provided interment services for thousands of veterans and their family members. As of recent records, there have been over 9,000 interments, reflecting the community’s commitment to honoring those who served.

Visiting Information

The cemetery is open daily from sunrise to sunset, offering visitors a serene environment to pay respects. Administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Annual Events

Fort Jackson National Cemetery hosts several events throughout the year to honor veterans. One notable event is the Wreaths Across America Ceremony, held annually in December. This ceremony invites community members to place memorial wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes, ensuring their names are remembered aloud.

For more information, visit the official Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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