Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Willamette National Cemetery
Willamette National Cemetery is located about 10 miles southeast of Portland, OR, straddling the Multnomah and Clackamas County lines. As the result of lobbying efforts by several veterans' organizations, Congress passed Public Law 388 authorizing the Secretary of War to establish a national cemetery in the Portland vicinity in 1941. Although President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill into law, he felt that funds for the purchase of land should be limited to defense needs. As a result, no appropriation was made to build the cemetery.
At the conclusion of World War II, regional authorities again began urging the development of a national cemetery in Oregon. In 1949, the state donated approximately 102 acres and subsequent donations in 1952 brought the total land area to a little over 201 acres. Construction work started in 1950, and the area was officially designated Willamette National Cemetery on December 14, 1950. The first burial occurred in 1951.
An additional 68 acres were dedicated in 1997 and include additional burial sections and columbaria. The latest addition to the cemetery was the 2011 purchase of 38 adjacent acres that are held for future development.
Monuments and Memorials Willamette National Cemetery is home to the Oregon Korean Veterans Memorial. This series of polished, black granite walls memorializes 283 Oregon servicemen and women who lost their lives in that conflict. Willamette National Cemetery is designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway site.
The American Veterans (AMVETS) donated a carillon to the cemetery in 1975.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Willamette 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:
Lieutenant Colonel Stanley T.
Adams (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 19th Infantry Regiment, for actions near Sesim-ni, Korea, February 4, 1951. Adams died in 1999 and is buried in Section H, Site 3623-O.
First Lieutenant Arnold L.
Bjorklund (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, for actions near Altavilla, Italy, September 13, 1943. Bjorklund died in 1979 and is buried in Section H, Site 3622-O.
Specialist 4th Class Larry G.
Dahl (Vietnam). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, 359th Transportation Company, U.S. Support Command, in recognition of courageous disregard for personal safety that saved the lives of fellow soldiers at the cost of his own at An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, February 23, 1971. Dahl is buried in Section H, Site 3622-M.
Sergeant 1st Class Loren R.
Kaufman (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in recognition of actions near Yongsan, Korea, September 4–5, 1950. Kaufman died in 1951 and is buried in Section H, Site 3622-N.
Other Burials Oregon Governor and U.S.
Senator Mark O. Hatfield
Section H, Site 3623-H
Carson Lee Bigbee (1895–1964) was born in Oregon, the youngest of three boys.
His parents were teachers and all three children were gifted athletes. Bigbee's comparatively small size and speed on the field earned him the nickname "Skeeter" in high school. Professional baseball teams took notice, but he followed his brothers to the University of Oregon. Skeeter Bigbee joined the professional leagues in 1916 and was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the off-season, he worked in the Portland shipyards. He was drafted for military service in World War I, and joined the U.S. Army's Coast Artillery Corps, as a private, in 1918. After the war, he finished his professional baseball career with the Pirates in 1926 and he, and his family, made Portland home for many years. He died October 17, and is buried in Section T, Site 3269.
Eligibility for burial at Willamette 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 Portland International Airport, take Airport Way to Interstate 205 South. Proceed south approximately seven miles to Foster Rd. (Exit 17). Take exit and travel east on Foster 3/4 mile then turn right on 110th Drive. Proceed uphill 3/4 mile. Cemetery entrance is on the left, just before reaching stop sign at Mt. Scott Boulevard.
Floral and grounds policy
Fresh flowers may be placed on gravesites at any time. Vases are available for use in vase containers throughout the cemetery.
Artificial flowers may be placed on gravesites from November 1 to March 1. They may also be placed five calendar days before and after Memorial Day.
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 Willamette National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery — Vancouver, WA (14 mi · unknown)
- Fort Stevens National Cemetery — Hammond, OR (85 mi · open)
- Tahoma National Cemetery — Kent, WA (135 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Willamette National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Heritage Memorial is a premier funeral home located at 6705 Southeast 14Th Avenue in Portland, OR. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral preplanning, and prepaid cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,270. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,505, while direct cremation is available from $2,270. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,880. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($680) and use of facilities for viewing ($1,050).
Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 6705 SE 14th Ave. in Portland, OR. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,505, while direct cremation is available from $2,270.
Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 520 West Powell Boulevard in Gresham, OR. 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 $1,620.
River View Cemetery Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 8421 South Macadam Avenue in Portland, OR. The property features well-appointed spaces including elegant facilities, onsite cemetery, and mausoleum. Professional offerings include natural funerals, aqua cremation, and personalized services, 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 $2,995, while direct cremation is available from $1,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All faiths.
Holman's Funeral & Cremation Service is a premier funeral home located at 2610 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, OR. The property features well-appointed spaces including historic hawthorne mansion, welcoming entryway, and soft lighting. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,695. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,695. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Jewish.
Terry Family Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2337 North Williams Avenue in Portland, OR. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, chapel, and viewing rooms. Professional offerings include preplanning, traditional funerals, and non-traditional funerals, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $900. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,695, while direct cremation is available from $900. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), Non-denominational Christian, and Catholic. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 31 reviews.
Young's Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 11831 Southwest Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR. The property features well-appointed spaces including flexible event space, celebration of life center, and flexible chapel space. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,620. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Tradition, Christian Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Customs, Jewish Practices, Muslim Funeral Traditions, Black Funeral Traditions, Chung Yeung Festival, Día de los Muertos, and Qingming Festival.
Canby Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 160 South Grant Street in Canby, OR. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, audio visual equipment, and private gathering spaces. Professional offerings include cremation services, funeral & memorial services, and funeral preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,735. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,545, while direct cremation is available from $1,735. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian and Multicultural. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.6-star Google rating across 51 reviews.