The Fort Riley Post Cemetery has a prominent historical background and is governed by military regulations.



The cemetery was established in the 1853 and holds war veterans from the Battle of Wounded Knee, the Spanish American War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean, Vietnam and South West Asia conflicts. The cemetery is also the final resting place for several nationalities of prisoners of war. The German and Italian prisoners of war remain buried at Fort Riley Post Cemetery, but several years ago the Japanese government had all their prisoners of war disinterred and moved to Japan.



The two oldest areas of the cemetery seem to be sparsely inhabited. It is not known how many burials actually exist in those areas and no active burials occur in this area. The reason for this is that the Indians burned the grave markers on two separate occasions, believing they would stop the cholera epidemic and by doing so, destroyed any chance of recorded burials.



The placement of grave markers in a military cemetery is also unique. The grave marker is at the head of the grave with actual burial behind the marker. As you stand facing the inscription on the front of the grave marker, your loved one is buried behind the marker. There are several theories as to why this is different from a civilian cemetery. The explanation given by Arlington National Cemetery personnel is that the soldiers are buried facing the rising sun, which is considered an honorable position.



The Fort Riley Post Cemetery is now considered full for the most part with only burials of spouses/children of previously interred being done. Most burials of veterans in this area are now done at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Riley, Manhattan, Riley County, Kansas https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2295226/kansas-veterans-cemetery-at-fort-riley

which opened in the spring of 2009.



The Fort Riley Post Cemetery gates are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week however passes are required to get on to post and may be acquired at the visitor's center. If you need further assistance or more information on the cemetery operations, please call (785) 239-2646 or (785) 240-3096 Monday through Friday.