Burial at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery: A family guide

History of Fort Lawton Post Cemetery

In 1896, the Secretary of War selected what would later be Fort Lawton for construction of an artillery battery intended to defend Seattle and the south Puget Sound from naval attack. Local citizens and governments donated 703 acres land to the United States Army for the installation the next year.

Fort Lawton was named after Maj. Gen. Henry Ware Lawton (1843 - 1899), a veteran of the American Civil War, the Indian Wars, and Spanish–American War campaigns, who was killed in action in the Philippines. Lawton, OK, home of U.S. Army Fort Sill is also named after Maj. Gen. Lawton.

On October 5, 1909 the United States Army's 25th Infantry Regiment which primarily consisted of African American soldiers transferred from the Philippines to Fort Lawton. These men are known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

During World War II, at least 20,000 troops at a time were stationed at Fort Lawton, with more than 1 million troops passing through both before and after the war. It was the second-largest port of embarkation for US forces and materiel to the Pacific Theater during the war.

Notable veterans buried at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• COL William Wallace Robinson Civil War Commander of the 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry of the Iron Brigade (Section 3, Site 15)

Eligibility for burial at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Office Hours: Contact Tahoma National Cemetery at (425) 413-9614 for information. Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

How to schedule a burial at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Fort Lawton Post Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Fort Lawton Post Cemetery sits in the Washington cemetery system

Fort Lawton Post Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Washington. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Fort Lawton Post Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.