Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Fort Snelling National Cemetery is located in Minneapolis, MN. It is one of seven national cemeteries created between the world wars, 1934–1939, to increase the size of the national cemetery system. It was the first major expansion since the Civil War, to serve a growing veteran population at a time when burial space at existing national cemeteries was depleting rapidly. The new cemetery locations were based on veterans' residence. The other inter world war national cemeteries are Baltimore, Maryland; Fort Bliss and Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Rosecrans and Golden Gate, California; and Long Island, New York.
The federal government established the first frontier post at the junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers near present-day Minneapolis in 1805. In 1820, Colonel Josiah Snelling of the 5th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment oversaw the construction of a permanent post here, named Fort Anthony. General Winfield Scott inspected the fort in 1824 and he was so impressed that he recommended its name be changed to that of its commander.
Fort Snelling served as a permanent frontier post until 1855 when it was demoted to a supply depot. The Civil War (1861–1865) prompted an expansion of the fort into a training center for Minnesota volunteers, and after the war it functioned as headquarters and supply base for the Military Department of the Dakota. Soldiers from Fort Snelling served in western wars against Native Americans and in the Spanish American War (1898–1902). Used for training through the world wars, it was deactivated in 1947.
A small post cemetery served the military and civilians at Fort Snelling during the years when it was active. The first recorded burial was in 1826 and by the 1930s it contained several hundred graves. The growing veteran population — primarily from World War I — in the St. Paul-Minneapolis region spurred veterans' groups through the 1930s to petition Congress to establish a new national cemetery — no national cemetery existed in the region. In 1937, the War Department was authorized to allocate 180 acres in the southwest corner of the Fort Snelling Military Reservation for a new cemetery. Of the interwar cemeteries, Ft. Snelling is the only one constructed entirely because of intent to accommodate the Veteran population. It marked a transformation in cemetery construction policy that emphasized convenience as an element of burial privilege. That summer, New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborers broke ground, to develop 40 acres into burial sections, and to construct a lodge, utility buildings, and massive gates in a stark Stripped Classicism architectural style.
The first interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery was World War I Captain George H. Mallon, a Medal of Honor recipient, on July 5, 1939 — just a few days before the cemetery was formally dedicated on July 14, 1939. Soon after, 680 remains were removed from the Fort Snelling Post Cemetery and reinterred in Section A, Block 23; of these, 282 are unknowns.
A second phase of cemetery development began in summer 1941, but it was put on hold due to World War II (1941–1945). Work resumed in 1948 and would continue for several decades. The overall cemetery size increased to approximately 436 acres by 1960, of which 137 acres were prepared for interments by 1972. Earthen berms were added along the cemetery's northern border in 1977 to reduce noise from the nearby international airport. Expansion continued in the 21st century to include additional in-ground gravesites and columbaria for cremated remains, as well as committal shelters.
Fort Snelling is one of more than eighty VA national cemeteries that use upright General headstones and flat markers, in separate burial sections. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Monuments and Memorials Fort Snelling National Cemetery contains more than seventy-five standard monuments that have been donated by veterans' and patriotic organizations — most honor service in twentieth-century conflicts. The monuments are grouped in three locations: around the flagpole at Wold Circle, the alignment of Mallon Road beginning at the U.S. flagpole, and the culmination of the Assembly Areas along Kraus Avenue.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Fort Snelling 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:
Captain Richard E.
Fleming (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 241, in recognition of perseverance and intrepidity in action during the Battle of Midway, June 4–5, 1942. On June 5, Captain Fleming's plane was struck during an approach glide, and he crashed into the sea in flames. He is memorialized in Section F-1, Site 111.
Private First Class Richard E.
Kraus (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Marine Corps, 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, in recognition of prompt action and great personal valor that saved the lives of his companions, at the cost of his own, in Pelelie, Palau Islands, October 5, 1944. Kraus is buried in Section DS, Site 61N.
Private First Class James D.
LaBelle (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service with the U.S. Marine Corps, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in recognition of dauntless courage and self-sacrifice that saved the lives of others during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, March 8, 1945. LaBelle is buried in Section B-1, Site 422S.
Captain George H.
Mallon (World War I). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 132rd Infantry, 33rd Division, for actions in the Bois-de-Forges, France, September 26, 1918. Mallon died in 1934 and is buried in Section DS, Site 1-S.
Commander Oscar F.
Nelson. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Bennington for extraordinary heroism when a boiler exploded on the vessel at San Diego, California, July 21, 1905. Nelson died in 1951 and is buried in Section DS, Site 64-N.
Captain Arlo Olson (World War II).
He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, in recognition of actions during the crossing of the Volturno River, Italy, October 13, 1943. Captain Olson led the advance for thirteen days that October and reached the summit of Monte San Nicola, where he was mortally wounded. He died October 28, 1943, and is buried in Section C-24, Site 13787.
Staff Sergeant Robert J.
Pruden (Vietnam). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company G, 75th Infantry, in recognition of selfless concern for the welfare of his men and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life in the Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, November 29, 1969. Pruden is buried in Section M, Site 5710.
Second Lieutenant Donald E.
Rudolph, Sr. (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company E, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Battalion, for actions in Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands, February 5, 1945. Rudolph died in 2006 and is buried in Section DS, Site 22-S.
First Lieutenant Richard Keith Sorenson (World War II).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division, for actions at Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, February 1–2, 1944. Sorenson died in 2004 and is buried in Section B, Site 149-1.
Other Burials Born in New York, Halsey L.
Hall (1898–1977) grew up in Minnesota. From his father, he learned baseball as well as the news business. Hall landed his first newspaper job in 1919, following World War I. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and the Yeoman Third Class served from 1918 to 1919. Lore has it that Hall was in uniform when his storied journalism career began. He added sports broadcasting to his newspaper columns and radio shows, calling games for the University of Minnesota Gophers (football) and Minnesota's minor league baseball team, before moving to television in 1961 when Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins came to town. Hall received many awards during his career, and his excitable expression, "Holy Cow!," during a baseball game known throughout the Upper Midwest. Minnesota's Ambassador of Baseball died December 31, at age 79, and is buried in Section L, Site 4058.
Eligibility for burial at Fort Snelling 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.
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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
The cemetery is located south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport on 34th Avenue. From the airport, take Highway 5 West toward Highway 494 west. Take the exit ramp for 34th Avenue and turn right at the stop light. Cemetery main entrance is the first gate on the right.
Floral and grounds policy
Fresh cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. Portable cone containers for flowers can be found throughout the cemetery in stone containers. Flowers will be disposed of by cemetery personnel when they are withered, faded or otherwise unsightly.
Artificial flowers may only be placed on graves from October 1 through April 1 because the wires from artificial flowers have caused damage to the mowing equipment, and pose a safety hazard to workers and visitors during mowing operations. They will be removed when they are faded or unsightly.
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 Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Fort Snelling 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 Fort Snelling National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Redwood Falls — Redwood Falls, MN (92 mi · open)
- Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Spooner, WI (93 mi · open)
- Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston — Preston, MN (99 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Fort Snelling National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 6527 Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on_site_chapel, viewing_rooms, and reception_space. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and pre_planning_services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,895. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Klecatsky & Sons Eagan Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 1580 Century Point in Eagan, MN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,970.
Tulip Cremation - Minnesota is a premier funeral home located at 7100 Ohms Lane in Edina, MN. The property features well-appointed spaces including online and phone arrangements, private cremation at locally owned facilities (no public access), and no public-facing funeral home for visits. Professional offerings include simple cremation, direct cremation, and preplanned arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $990. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $990. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $650.
Spielman Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 344 West University Ave. in Saint Paul, MN. The property features well-appointed spaces including multiple chapels, reception room, and pet friendly. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,470. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,585, while direct cremation is available from $1,470. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholicism, Christianity (Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian), Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.5-star Google rating across 37 reviews.
Kandt & Tetrick Funeral Home & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 140 Eighth Ave. N in South Saint Paul, MN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include immediate burial, visitation, and funeral 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 $6,450, while direct cremation is available from $1,795.
Klecatsky & Sons Southern Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 414 Marie Ave. in South Saint Paul, MN. The property features well-appointed spaces including west chapel: 1051 south robert street, west st. paul, mn 55118, southern chapel: 414 marie avenue, south st. paul, mn 55075, and eagan chapel: 1580 century point, eagan, mn 55121. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation, and pre-arrangement, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,970. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,595, while direct cremation is available from $1,970. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Secular/Humanist. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.2-star Google rating across 9 reviews.
Metro First Call is a premier funeral home located at 12600 Creek View Avenue in Savage, MN. The property features well-appointed spaces including on_site_crematory, wheelchair_accessible, and ample_parking. Professional offerings include cremation, alkaline_hydrolysis, and green_burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors.
Klecatsky & Sons Rosemount Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 2930 146th St W Suite 114 in Rosemount, MN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,970.