Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Fort Jackson National Cemetery
Columbia, SC, is located at the confluence of the Saluda and Broad rivers, which merge to form the Congaree. Due to its central location, the South Carolina General Assembly chose this site in 1786 for the new capitol. The state legislature first met in Columbia in 1790.
As a regional transportation hub, Columbia grew rapidly during the antebellum period. Area farmers brought cotton, tobacco, and other agricultural products destined for other U.S. cities and Europe to the city, to be transported by rail to the port of Charleston.
South Carolina in the late 1850s was a hotbed of secessionist sentiment, which escalated into full-throated calls to leave the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860. On December 17, the First Baptist Church in Columbia hosted the South Carolina Secession Convention. By unanimous vote, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.
Columbia was a Confederate stronghold until the final months of the Civil War. After the famous "March to the Sea" in late 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman moved his troops north from Savannah, GA, toward Columbia. The city was defended by a small Confederate force under the command of Lieutenant General Wade Hampton III, a Columbia native. As the Union Army approached on February 17, 1865, retreating Confederates set stockpiles of cotton ablaze. Small groups of Union soldiers began to loot, vandalize, and start other fires, and soon much of Columbia was consumed in the conflagration.
After the war, Hampton was a leading opponent of federal Reconstruction-era policies, including the military occupation of South Carolina. He went on to serve as governor, 1876–1879, and as a U.S. senator, 1879–1891.
In 1916, as World War I engulfed Europe in turmoil, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce contacted U.S. Army leadership to suggest that a portion of the Hampton family's vast land holdings east of Columbia be used as a new training camp. The Army agreed and the Chamber of Commerce quickly raised local funds to purchase the nearly 1,200-acre parcel from the Hampton estate before donating it to the federal government.
In 1917, Major Douglas MacArthur announced the establishment of Camp Jackson, named in honor of President Andrew Jackson. Per General Orders No. 33, the post was demobilized in 1921, but the site continued to be used part of the year as a South Carolina National Guard training camp. After Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the station was reactivated as a federal installation; it was renamed Fort Jackson a year later. During World War II, nine Army divisions trained there.
In 1950 Fort Jackson was slated to be demobilized a second time but it was deferred when the Korean War broke out. In 1956, Fort Jackson officially became a U.S. Army Training Center and it continues in this role. Today, 50 percent of all incoming soldiers are trained there.
With the passage of the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish six new national cemeteries. A demographic study of the nationwide veteran population identified the Columbia-Greenville area as lacking burial options. Four sites were considered and in 2008 the U.S. Department of Defense transferred land used for field training exercises to NCA for the purpose of developing Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The cemetery was formally dedicated the same year and opened for burials in 2009. Fort Jackson National Cemetery is the third national cemetery established in South Carolina and the 126th in the national cemetery system.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
2nd Lieutenant William Henry Harth, Jr.
(World War II). Harth (1921–1943) served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and was killed in action. He was memorialized in the Florence American cemetery in Italy on the wall of the missing before his remains were located, identified, and he was interred at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. He died in August 1943, was brought back to the United States in 2018.
Section 1, Site 1
Lieutenant General Ellie "Buck" Shuler, Jr.
(Vietnam). Schuler (1936–2024) was a command pilot with more than 7,500 flying hours, including 209 combat hours accrued during the Vietnam War. He was promoted to lieutenant general March 23, 1988, with same date of rank and has earned Command Pilot Wings, Master Missile Badge, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Section 12, Site 76
Eligibility for burial at Fort Jackson 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 Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Head north toward Aviation Way. Turn right at Aviation Way. Slight left at Lexington Drive. Turn right at John N. Hardee Expressway. Turn left at Airport Boulevard/Edmund Road/SC-215/SC-302. Continue to follow Airport Boulevard/SC-215/SC-302. Turn left at Frontage Road. Take the ramp onto Interstate 26 West. Take exit 107B to merge onto Interstate 20 East toward Florence. Take exit 80 for Clemson Road. Turn right at Clemson Road Exit. Proceed south approximately ½ mile to the cemetery entrance. Arrive at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia, SC 29229.
Floral and grounds policy
Our cemetery floral regulations exist only to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.
We welcome and encourage fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite display. Items left at grave side must be floral in nature and may not stand taller than the headstone. Other items, to include hazardous materials, glass, metal, toys, candles, balloons and flags are not permitted. Unauthorized items will be removed immediately. Flowers will be removed when spent, for mowing and maintenance, or if damaged by weather or wildlife. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism or the effects of nature.
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
We are developing educational content for this national cemetery, and will post new materials as they become available. Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
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Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Fort Jackson National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Florence National Cemetery — Florence, SC (63 mi · closed)
- Florence National Cemetery Annex — Florence, SC (63 mi · open)
- M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery — Anderson, SC (102 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Fort Jackson National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Shives Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 7600 Trenholm Road Ext in Columbia, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including trenholm road chapel, colonial chapel, and formal chapel. Professional offerings include funerals, obituaries, and funeral planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,575. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,645. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, and Jewish.
Dunbar Funeral Home - Devine is a premier funeral home located at 3926 Devine Street in Columbia, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and modern funeral home. Professional offerings include personalized funerals, traditional funeral, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,885, while direct cremation is available from $2,735. 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. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 155 reviews.
Elmwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service is a premier funeral home located at 501 Elmwood Avenue in Columbia, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including event space, chapel, and reception room. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, celebration of life, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,795, while direct cremation is available from $995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian (Protestant), Hispanic Traditions, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.5-star Google rating across 51 reviews.
Nelson's Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 270 North Dogwood Avenue in Ridgeway, SC. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Nelson's Funeral Home, LLC is a premier funeral home located at 270 North Dogwood Ave. in Ridgeway, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home chapel. Professional offerings include pre-planning, veterans services, and grief support, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,500. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,000, while direct cremation is available from $2,500. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Baptist, and Latter-day Saints. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 30 reviews.
Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 7600 Woodrow Street in Irmo, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and modern funeral home. Professional offerings include pre-planning, grief support, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,885, while direct cremation is available from $2,735. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Muslim, Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu, Christian (Protestant), Jewish, and Black Funeral Traditions.
Temples Halloran Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5400 Bush River Road in Columbia, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, bush river memorial gardens, and chapel. Professional offerings include immediate need, funeral services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,500. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,195, while direct cremation is available from $2,095. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Latter-day Saints, Baptist, and United Methodist.
Caughman-Harman Funeral Home at Southland Memorial is a premier funeral home located at 820 West Dunbar Rd. in West Columbia, SC. The property features well-appointed spaces including celebration of life center, veterans cemetery section, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,740. 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, Jewish Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.