It encompasses 585 acres (237 ha) acquired from Fort Jackson, a United States Army Basic Training facility, and was dedicated on October 26, 2008.

Areas not served by an existing National Cemetery and containing at least 170,000 veteran residents included Bakersfield, California; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; Sarasota County, Florida; southeastern Pennsylvania and Columbia- Greenville, South Carolina.

[3] Initial construction began in May, 2008 and created a 15-acre (6.1 ha) burial area with temporary facilities.

On July 9, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a $10 million contract to develop stage 1B at the cemetery, with construction starting immediately[4] on an entrance, roadways within the 50-acre (20 ha) section, permanent buildings for administration and maintenance, a public information center and shelters for services during inclement weather.

The section under development will provide 5,000 gravesites, including 4,200 pre-placed crypts, 5,000 in-ground cremation sites and 2,000 columbarium niches.