Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
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.
The post was also used as a prisoner-of-war camp, with more than 1,000 Germans imprisoned there. Approximately 5,000 Italians were passed through en route to Hawaii for imprisonment. On August 15, 1944 an Italian POW, Guglielmo Olivotto, was found murdered at Fort Lawton after a night of rioting between Italian POWs and American soldiers. Twenty-eight African-American soldiers were later court-martialed, convicted of the crime, and sent to prison. They and their families challenged the convictions; after an investigation, the convictions were set aside in 2007.
Fort Lawton Post Cemetery likely was established around 1900. The cemetery is set out in four quadrants. Two former post commanders - Brig. Gen. Frederick Atkinson (1949) and Col. John Barber (1960s) are interred at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery. The cemetery also contains the graves of an unknown soldier and two World War II era prisoners of war. Above mentioned Guglielmo Olivotto and German soldier Albert Marquardt, who died of accidental poisoning in 1945 are interred in gravesites on the perimeter of the cemetery.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Fort Lawton Post Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
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
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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 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, get on WA-518 W from Airport Expressway. Continue for 2.3 miles. Take WA-509 N and Why 99 N to Aurora Ave N for 12.4 miles. Turn right onto Halladay Street; turn right onto 6th Ave N; turn left onto Dexter Ave N; turn left on Nickerson St; turn left onto W Emerson St; turn right onto Gilman Ave W; continue onto W Government Way; continue onto Discovery Park Way.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Pets are not allowed in Cemetery. (Trained service dogs only.)
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 Lawton Post Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Tahoma National Cemetery — Kent, WA (24 mi · open)
- Fort Worden Post Cemetery — Port Townsend, WA (37 mi · closed)
- Fort Stevens National Cemetery — Hammond, OR (125 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Fort Lawton Post Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A. Wright Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 520 West Raye St. in Seattle, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, reception hall, and private family room. Professional offerings include burial, cremation, and water cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,895, while direct cremation is available from $1,920. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Protestant/Christian.
Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 11111 Aurora Ave. N in Seattle, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery, flexible event space, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include funeral service, cremation, and water cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,965. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,565, while direct cremation is available from $2,965. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.
Recompose is a premier funeral home located at 4 South Idaho Street in Seattle, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including greenhouse (33 vessels), gathering space, and cedar room. Professional offerings include human composting, immediate need, and imminent pathway, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $7,000. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $7,000, while direct cremation is available from $7,000. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (Catholic) and Spiritual.
Columbia Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 4567 Rainier Ave. S in Seattle, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including fireside room. Professional offerings include funeral, cremation, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,095, while direct cremation is available from $2,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, and Christian (general).
Sunset Hills Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 1215 145Th Place Southeast in Bellevue, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, large-capacity chapel, and celebration of life center. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and water cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, and Christian.
Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 5505 Kitsap Way in Bremerton, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, mountain views, and waterside views. Professional offerings include funeral service video production, catered events, and intimate gatherings, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,880. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,340. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Christian (general), Episcopal, Presbyterian, Seventh-Day Adventist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, and Methodist.
Cypress Lawn Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 1615 Southeast Everett Mall Way in Everett, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including gardens, mausoleums, and cremation gardens. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, Black Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, and Protestant Funeral Traditions.
Marlatt Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 713 Central Avenue North in Kent, WA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, viewing rooms, and outside reception space. Professional offerings include pre-planning services, burial options, and honoring veterans, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,695. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,195, while direct cremation is available from $1,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Methodist (United Methodist Church), Episcopal, and Catholic.