Burial at Fort McPherson National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Fort McPherson National Cemetery

Built in 1863, Fort McPherson was established to ensure peace along the western frontier between the immigrants traveling along the Oregon Trail and the Native American inhabitants. The troops originally stationed at the post provided military protection from hostile Native Americans during the construction of the railroad.

To meet the burial needs of the soldiers stationed at the post, a cemetery was established early in its history. The old post burial ground was later moved to southwest of the post and some 50 remains were moved to this location.

Establishment of the 20-acre Fort McPherson National Cemetery in 1873 afforded the space to relocate remains from the cemeteries abandoned when the number of settlers decreased. Burial records testify that life on the frontier was full of hardships and dangers similar to battlefield camps during times of war.

The cemetery lodge was built in 1876 and rehabilitated in 1951 and 2000. About one mile southeast of the cemetery a monument marks the site of the flagstaff of the old military post. Another monument marks the route used by the Pony Express over the Oregon Trail, which passes through the cemetery.

Notable veterans buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery

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

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Private First Class James W. Fous (Vietnam). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, in recognition of gallantry and self-sacrifice in Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, May 14, 1968. Fous is buried in Section G, Site 685.
• Sergeant George Jordan (Indian Wars). George Jordan, born about 1850 in Tennessee, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Nashville in 1866. Illiterate at the time, he learned to read and write while in service. Private Jordan transferred to the 9th Cavalry in 1870 and, posted to the Indian Territories, he fought hostile Apache and Sioux tribes. He was promoted to corporal in 1874. In 1890 Sergeant Jordan received the Medal of Honor for holding ground against greater numbers of the enemy in 1880 and 1881. He was the first African American so recognized in two decades. After retiring in April 1897 Jordan remained in Nebraska and, as a landowner, lobbied for the right to vote. In fall 1904 he sought medical attention at the Fort Robinson hospital, but was denied admission; he died that October. Jordan was buried at Fort Robinson and in 1947 his remains were transferred to Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Section F, Site 1131.
• Private Daniel H. Miller (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company F, 3rd U.S. Cavalry, for actions in the Whetstone Mountains, Arizona Territory, May 5, 1871. Miller died in 1874 and is buried in Section A, Site 380.
• Sergeant Emanuel Stance (Indian Wars). Emanuel Stance was born in Louisiana in 1848 and he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1866. Stance joined Troop F, 9th Cavalry, and spent most of his career on active frontier duty in the Southwest. Sergeant Stance received the Medal of Honor in May 1870 for unquestioned courage. However, he had a volatile personality and drove his men hard. Stance was demoted to private and restored to rank several times. In 1885 Troop F was posted at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. There, Stance was murdered on Christmas Day 1887, likely by his own men. In 1947, his remains were transferred from Fort Robinson to Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Section F, Site 1040.
• Other Burials Born of Oglala-Lakota Indian and French decent, Baptiste "Little Bat" Garnier was a scout for the U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. His reputation grew as he tracked in what many believed to be impossible conditions. His skill earned him the nickname "Chief of Fort Robinson Scouts." Garnier was shot and killed by a saloon keeper on December 16, 1900. In 1947, Garnier's remains were disinterred from Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery (Section S, Site 5900).
• Spotted Horse was a Pawnee Indian Scout for the U.S. Army in the Northern Plains during the Indian Wars. He was killed by a Brule Sioux on August 14, 1862, and interred at Fort Kearny. In November 1873, Spotted Horse was reinterred at Fort McPherson National Cemetery (Section C, Site 258).

Eligibility for burial at Fort McPherson National 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

Visitation Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day. VA will continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend at all open VA national cemeteries.

How to schedule a burial at Fort McPherson National 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 McPherson National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Fort McPherson National Cemetery sits in the Nebraska cemetery system

Fort McPherson National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Nebraska. The cemetery is currently accepting new in-ground and columbarium interments. Families should verify status before planning.

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