Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Fayetteville National Cemetery
Fayetteville National Cemetery is located on the south side of Fayetteville, AR, about one mile southwest of the old courthouse. Although Frank Pierce, a hunter and trapper, first visited what became the Fayetteville area in 1819, the town was not officially settled until 1828. Within a year, however, residents had built a courthouse and a post office and by 1835 it was officially designated a town. Subsequently, Fayetteville was surveyed, divided into lots and sold at public auction and by 1841, had a population of around four hundred people.
By the beginning of the Civil War, Fayetteville had become a prosperous community. One Union soldier described it as "a beautiful little hamlet nestling among the foothills of the Ozark range...the chief education center of the state, the home of culture, refinement and that inborn hospitality so characteristic of the South." On April 18,1863, this tranquility was interrupted by the fierce Battle of Fayetteville. Hoping to reverse the South's waning fortunes, Confederate General William Cabell led 900 cavalry north from Ozark to attack federal forces occupying Fayetteville. The initial strike surprised most of the Union soldiers, some of who were enjoying a dance at a private home several miles outside of town, and others who were asleep. The federal forces were able to quickly recover and, primarily due to superior weapons, pushed back the Confederate charge.
In 1867, the first five acres for the national cemetery were purchased from local residents David Walker and Stephen K. Stone. The original layout of the cemetery, according to a sketch, is of an outer circle surrounding a six-pointed star with diamonds between the points of the star and a flagpole in the center. There were eighteen sections with an estimated capacity of 1,800 graves. During World War II, the layout was revised and five sections were added.
The first burials were the remains of Union soldiers disinterred from local Civil War battlefields such as Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and Elk Horn Tavern. Interments were originally made with the headstone and inscription facing the flagpole. An inspection report dated May 1871 states there were 1,210 interments in the cemetery, "the greater portion being unknown white soldiers." When the new sections were added in the mid-20th century cemetery, the placement of headstones was altered so that the inscriptions face the interred remains.
In 1989, the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, a group of citizens, veterans, and officials of the city of Fayetteville and the state of Arkansas, formed to raise funds to purchase land for the expansion of the cemetery. On January 26, 1990, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs accepted their donation of three acres of land adjacent to the cemetery.
Fayetteville National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1999 and later added to the Civil War Discovery Trail.
Monuments and Memorials A carillon was donated by the American Veterans as part of their international living-memorial program, which began shortly after World War II.
The Revolutionary War Soldier Memorial and 1st Marine Division memorials were installed during the 1990s.
A Purple Heart Memorial was dedicated in 2000 in honor of all Purple Heart recipients interred at the cemetery.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Fayetteville National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
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:
Sergeant First Class Clarence B.
Craft (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 382nd Infantry, 96th Infantry Division, for actions on Hen Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, May 31, 1945. Craft died in 2002 and is buried in Section 17, Site 120.
Other Burials James C.
Putnam, an original founder of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the first National President of the VFW.
Section 15, Site 54
Eligibility for burial at Fayetteville 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.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport take Highway 264 East to Highway 540/49. Go south approximately 18 miles to Exit 62, Farmington-University of Arkansas. Go east on Highway 62 approximately 1 1/2 miles to S. Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue. Turn right on S. Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue and follow to the cemetery.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Fayetteville National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Fayetteville National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Fayetteville National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Smith National Cemetery — Fort Smith, AR (48 mi · open)
- Fort Gibson National Cemetery — Fort Gibson, OK (62 mi · open)
- Baxter Springs City Soldiers' Lot — Baxter Springs, KS (75 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Fayetteville National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Moore's Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 206 West Center Street in Fayetteville, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including flower shop, crematory, and cemeteries. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and green burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,850. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,990, while direct cremation is available from $1,850. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Methodist.
Nelson-Berna Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 100 South 28Th Street in Rogers, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including nelson-berna of fayetteville, nelson-berna of rogers, and moore's chapel funeral home. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and cemetery services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,000. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,625.
Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 2230 North Thompson in Springdale, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and funeral home. Professional offerings include traditional funeral service, memorial service, and committal service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,795. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,620, while direct cremation is available from $1,795. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic, Assemblies of God, and Non-denominational Christian.
Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Homes is a premier funeral home located at 1401 E Main Street Siloam in Springs, AR. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 5 reviews.
Stockdale-Moody Funeral Service, LLC is a premier funeral home located at 2898 West Walnut in Rogers, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, arrangement room, and reception hall. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and cemetery services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,740, while direct cremation is available from $1,895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Methodist.
Benton County Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 306 North 4Th Street in Rogers, AR. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and funeral service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,170. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $975. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, and Interdenominational Christian.
Callison-Lough Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 605 West Central in Bentonville, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and modern funeral home. Professional offerings include funeral service, cremation service, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,940. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions (Protestant), Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Wasson Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 441 Highway 412 West in Siloam Springs, AR. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, family room, and event hosting space. Professional offerings include funeral services, memorial services, and visitation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,190. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,690, while direct cremation is available from $2,190.