IMenrt-Crrapelle ^American (Cemetery nnb JHemortal

The American Battle Monuments Commission

1986

The Guardian Angel 3 JCmrt-COjapeUe

(Cemetery anb iHemnnal

LOCATION follow Aachen highway east approxi­ mately 1 mile/1.6 km, then turn right The Henri-Chapelle Cemetery and on Aubel Road 7.5 miles/12 km to Memorial lies 2 miles northwest of the Hagelstein, thence left on N-18 to the village of Henri-Chapelle which is on cemetery or by Autoroute E-5, Liege the main highway from Liege, Bel­ or Aachen to the Battice exit and then gium to Aachen, Germany (18 miles/ turn right on N-3 to Henri-Chapelle. 29 km from Liege or 10 miles/16 km from Aachen). It can be reached by HOURS train from Paris (Gare du Nord — 5V2 hours), from Brussels (2 hours) The cemetery is open daily to the and Liege, Belgium, or from Germany public as shown below: via Aachen, to Welkenraedt, Bel­ SUMMER (16 March-30 September) gium, where taxicab service to the 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. — weekdays cemetery, 4V2 miles distant, is avail­ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. — Saturdays, able. To reach the cemetery by auto­ Sundays and holidays mobile, follow N-3 from Liege or WINTER (1 October-15 March) Aachen to the road fork in Henri- 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — weekdays Chapelle, thence northwest on N-18 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Saturdays, to the cemetery; or, from Margraten Sundays and holidays

Entrance Pylons 4 Aerial View of Cemetery

When the cemetery is open to the launched a powerful counterattack in public, a staff member is on duty in an attempt to split the Allied forces the Visitors' Room to answer ques­ and isolate the U.S. Third Army. tions and escort relatives to grave and Resisting vigorously, Allied ground memorial sites (except between noon and air forces not only stopped the and 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holi­ attacking enemy but threatened him days). with complete encirclement. Thor­ oughly defeated after suffering great HISTORY losses, the enemy beat a hasty retreat across the Seine River. Following the successful landings on Rapid exploitation of this victory the beaches of Normandy on 6 June resulted in swift Allied advances far 1944, the Allies slowly but relentlessly exceeding expectations. On the left fought their way inland to expand the flank, the Canadian First Army drove beachhead. Then on 25 July, after a along the coast reaching the Nether­ paralyzing air bombardment, the lands frontier and liberating Ostend U.S. First Army launched the attack and Bruges early in September, while southward to break out. Joining the the British Second Army advanced assault a few days later, the U.S. rapidly through central Belgium liber­ Third Army on the right flank thrust ating Brussels on 3 September and southward along the coast while the Antwerp the following day. The Brit­ British and Canadians advanced on ish Second Army then moved to join the left flank. with the Canadian First Army astride When the breakout occurred, the Netherlands frontier. Allied planners had expected the In the center of the advance, the enemy to withdraw and re-establish a U.S. First Army freed Liege in eastern defense at the line of the Seine River Belgium on 8 September and con­ to the northeast. Instead, the enemy tinued northeastward toward the Ger-

3 Location of Cemetery Features man city of Aachen, while at the same and the French First Army which time liberating Luxembourg. On the extended Allied lines to the Swiss bor­ right, the U.S. Third Army swept der, resistance was organized around across France to reach the Moselle heavily fortified cities forming strong- River and make contact with the points in front of the Siegfried Line. In troops of the U.S. Seventh Army the north, the defenders utilized to ad­ advancing from the beaches of south­ vantage against the British and Cana­ ern France, where they had landed on dians the barriers formed by the ex­ 15 August. tensive canal and river systems. On 17 Patrols of the U.S. First Army September, a valiant combined air­ crossed the German frontier in the borne-ground assault in the Nether­ Ardennes area on 11 September. The lands intended to outflank the north next day, elements of the U.S. First end of the enemy line, achieved only Army crossed the frontier near partial success as it failed to seize Aachen and moved eastward toward crossings of the lower Rhine. the Siegfried Line, where strong resist­ For the next three months, intensive ance was encountered immediately. fighting produced only limited gains Almost simultaneously, progress against fierce opposition. During this slowed all along the advancing Allied period, the principal Allied offensive line as opposition stiffened. The effort was concentrated in the center retreating enemy had at last stabilized of the enemy line where some of the its line of defense. most bitter fighting of the war The Siegfried Line formed the core occurred in the battle to capture the of resistance at the center of the en­ city of Aachen, the first large German emy defenses. To the south in front of city to be captured by the Allies, and the U.S. Third and Seventh Armies, penetrate the Siegfried Line. Finally,

6 encircled in mid-October after savage vade Germany itself. During Febru­ house-to-house fighting, Aachen fell ary and March, with the aid and on 31 October. Meanwhile, the U.S. assistance of fighters and medium Ninth Army organized at Brest in bombers, the first step was success­ Brittany, moved into the lines on the fully completed and heavy losses were right flank of the U.S. First Army. To inflicted on the enemy. Because of the south, the U.S. Third and Seventh those losses, the subsequent crossing Armies continued to advance slowly, of the Rhine did not meet with the vi­ as the U.S. Seventh Army forced the olent opposition that had been antici­ enemy back into the Vosges Moun­ pated. Working together, Allied tains. ground and air forces swept victori­ On 4 November, the U.S. First ously across Germany, bringing the Army began the difficult struggle war in Europe to a conclusion on 8 through the dense woods of the May 1945. Hurtgen Forest. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Ninth Army was shifted to SITE the U.S. First Army's left flank. Then, on 16 November preceded by a mas­ The cemetery, 57 acres in area, lies on sive air bombardment, the two armies the crest of a ridge affording an excel­ attacked together opening a wide gap lent view to the east and west. The in the Siegfried Line. By 1 December, memorial is visible from Highway N- the Roer River line was reached. On 3 several miles away. Highway N-18 the right, the city of Metz was cap­ separates the overlook to the north­ tured by the U.S. Third Army on 22 west from the rest of the cemetery. November, although the last fort The site was liberated on 12 Sep­ defending that city did not surrender tember 1944 by troops of the U.S. 1st until 13 December. The greatest terri­ Infantry Division. A temporary ceme­ torial gains, however, came in the tery was established on 28 September south where the U.S. Seventh Army 1944 two or three hundred yards to penetrated the Vosges Mountains to the north of the present site which was liberate the city of Strasbourg on 23 selected because of its more attractive November as French troops on the setting. Here rest 7,989 of our military extreme right flank liberated Mul- Dead, most of whom gave their lives house. in the repulse of the German counter- offensive in the Ardennes or during The Schelde estuary was finally the advance into, and across, Ger­ cleared of the enemy by the Canadian many during the fall and winter of First Army and the great port city of 1944 and the spring of 1945. Others Antwerp became available on 28 No­ were lost in air operations over the vember to supply the Allied armies. region. The cemetery and memorial Suddenly on 16 December 1944, the were completed in 1960. Allied advance was interrupted when the enemy launched in the Ardennes its final major counteroffensive of the ARCHITECTS war, with a second major assault on Architects for the cemetery and me­ New Year's Eve in Alsace to the south. morial were Holabird, Root and After furious fighting in bitterly cold Burgee of Chicago, Illinois. The land­ weather these last enemy onslaughts scape architect was Franz Lipp of were halted and the lost ground Chicago. regained. The Allies then developed their plan for final victory. GENERAL LAYOUT The first step of the plan was to clear all enemy from west of the To the west of Highway N-18 where it Rhine; the subsequent step was to in­ crosses the reservation is the overlook 7 area with its flagstaff. From the west paved with gray St. Gothard granite end of this area a wide view is from Switzerland. afforded over the broad valley of the Berwinne streamlet (which lies in the THE COLONNADE sector of advance of the U.S. 1st In­ fantry Division) and the ridges On the 48 faces of the 24 pylons and beyond. The roadway on the over­ the 4 faces of the engaged pylons at look is lined with linden trees. the ends of the colonnade are en­ East of the highway is the memo­ graved the seals of the wartime 48 rial; there are parking areas at both States, 3 territories and the District of the north and south ends. Beyond the Columbia. The obverse of the Great memorial is the graves area. Located Seal of the United States, in bronze, is in the south end of the memorial is the set into the floor at the intersection of Visitors' Room and Museum. the axes. The names and particulars of 450 of the Missing of the United States Army and Army Air Forces* are THE MEMORIAL engraved on the 48 faces of the The memorial consists of the chapel columns. The engaged end pylons (north end) and the combined bear this inscription in English, Visitors' and Museum building (south French and Flemish: end) connected by a colonnade of 12 HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF pairs of rectangular pylons. East of AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN the colonnade is a wide terrace with THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND ramps leading down to the graves WHO SLEEP IN UNKNOWN GRAVES. area. The exterior of the memorial is of Massangis limestone from the Cote *It will be recalled that during World War II d'Or region of France. The colon­ the Air Forces still formed part of the United nade, chapel and museum room are States Army.

Interior of Chapel 8 vC The Colonnade Inscription The Colonnade — Names of the Missing These Dead, who gave their lives in THE MUSEUM ROOM our country's service, came from 42 At the opposite (south) end of the col­ States, the District of Columbia and onnade is the combined Museum and England. Visitors' Room; the doors, similar to In the soffit of the colonnade are 13 those of the chapel, are of dark bronze stars of golden glass mosaic. with polished panels inset. Built into the west interior wall, of English Port­ THE CHAPEL land Whitbed stone, is a map portray­ ing the military operations in north­ At the entrance to the chapel, on the western Europe from the landings in east side, is the dedicatory inscrip­ Normandy until the end of the war. tion: This map is of Swedish black granite; 1941-1945 * * IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE the geographical and military data are OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HER SONS indicated by means of inlaid mosaic, AND IN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THEIR SAC­ engraved and colored chases, ano- RIFICES THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN dyzed aluminum, bronze, etc. ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF Amplifying the map are inscriptions AMERICA. in English, French and Flemish, of which this is the English version:

The doors of the chapel are bronze ON 6 JUNE 1944, PRECEDED BY AIRBORNE with polished panels. UNITS AND COVERED BY NAVAL AND The interior is rectangular in shape AIR BOMBARDMENT, UNITED STATES and of somewhat austere design. The AND BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES altar of Belgian blue and French vert LANDED ON THE COAST OF NOR­ d'Issorie marble bears the inscription MANDY. PUSHING SOUTHWARD THEY (from St. John X, 28): ESTABLISHED A BEACHHEAD SOME 20 MILES IN DEPTH. ON 25 JULY, IN THE I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE AND WAKE OF A PARALYZING AIR BOMBARD­ THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH. MENT BY THE U.S. EIGHTH AND NINTH The wall behind the altar is of Bel­ AIR FORCES AND THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, gian blue marble with white veinings. THE U.S. FIRST ARMY BROKE OUT OF THE The south wall is of French green BEACHHEAD WEST OF ST. LO. ON 1 d'Issorie marble. Hung along the west AUGUST IT WAS JOINED BY THE U.S. wall are flags of the Air Force, Armor, THIRD ARMY. TOGETHER THEY RE­ Christian Chapel, Jewish Chapel, En­ PULSED A POWERFUL COUNTERATTACK gineers, Field Artillery, Infantry and TOWARDS AVRANCHES. CRUSHED Navy Infantry Battalion. Engraved on BETWEEN THE AMERICANS ON THE the same wall beneath the flags is this SOUTH AND WEST AND THE BRITISH ON inscription from Cardinal Newman's THE NORTH, AND ATTACKED CONTINU­ prayer: OUSLY BY THE U.S. AND BRITISH AIR FORCES THE ENEMY RETREATED ACROSS O LORD SUPPORT US ALL THE DAY LONG THE SEINE. UNTIL THE SHADOWS LENGTHEN AND SUSTAINED BY THE HERCULEAN OUR WORK IS DONE. THEN IN THY ACHIEVEMENTS OF ARMY AND NAVY MERCY GRANT US A SAFE LODGING AND SUPPLY PERSONNEL, THE ALLIED A HOLY REST AND PEACE AT THE LAST. GROUND AND AIR FORCES PURSUED VIGOROUSLY. BY MID-SEPTEMBER THE The pews are of walnut and were U.S. NINTH ARMY HAD LIBERATED fabricated in Holland. The cross and BREST. THE FIRST ARMY HAD SWEPT the pews were intentionally designed THROUGH FRANCE, BELGIUM, AND to be off-center (with off-center light­ LUXEMBOURG AND WAS STANDING ON ing) thus balancing each other. THE THRESHOLD OF GERMANY; THE

10 —• — Map of Military Operations in Northwestern Europe Combined Museum and Visitors' Area 12 THIRD ARMY HAD REACHED THE MO­ THEN, IN THE ARDENNES, ON 16 DECEM­ SELLE AND HAD JOINED FORCES WITH BER, THE ENEMY LAUNCHED HIS FINAL THE U.S. SEVENTH AND FRENCH FIRST MAJOR COUNTEROFFENSIVE. PROMPT ARMIES ADVANCING NORTHWARD TACTICAL COUNTERMEASURES AND FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN. ON THE THE SUPERB FIGHTING QUALITIES OF LEFT FLANK, BRITISH AND CANADIAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN FI­ TROOPS HAD ENTERED THE NETHER­ NALLY HALTED THIS DRIVE. A CON­ LANDS. ON 17 SEPTEMBER THE IX TROOP CURRENT OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED BE­ CARRIER COMMAND AND THE ROYAL TWEEN SAARBRUCKEN AND COLMAR AIR FORCE DROPPED THREE AIRBORNE MET THE SAME FATE. DIVISIONS IN THE EINDHOVEN-ARNHEM DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH THE AREA IN A BOLD BUT UNSUCCESSFUL AT­ WEST BANK OF THE RHINE WAS TEMPT TO SEIZE THE CROSSINGS OF THE CLEARED IN A SERIES OF HIGHLY SUC­ LOWER RHINE. CESSFUL OPERATIONS. ON 7 MARCH PROGRESS DURING THE NEXT THREE AMERICAN FORCES SEIZED THE ONE RE­ MONTHS WAS SLOW, THE FIGHTING MAINING UNDEMOLISHED BRIDGE AT BITTER AS OPPOSITION STIFFENED. THE REMAGEN. A SURPRISE CROSSING WAS OPENING OF THE PORT OF ANTWERP ON EFFECTED AT OPPENHEIM ON 22 MARCH. 28 NOVEMBER MATERIALLY EASED THE THEN, IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS ALLIED LOGISTICAL BURDEN. THE FIRST AND TROOPS SPEARHEADED BY A MASSIVE NINTH ARMIES BROKE THROUGH THE AIRBORNE ATTACK MADE THEIR MAJOR SIEGFRIED LINE AND CAPTURED ASSAULT CROSSING NEAR WESEL. PUSH­ AACHEN. METZ FELL AS THE THIRD ING RAPIDLY EASTWARD U.S. FORCES ARMY PUSHED TO THE SAAR. ON ITS ENCIRCLED THE ENTIRE RUHR VALLEY IN RIGHT, THE SEVENTH ARMY AIDED BY A GIGANTIC DOUBLE ENVELOPMENT. THE FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE DROVE WITH AIR AND GROUND FORCES OPER­ TO THE RHINE AT STRASBOURG, WHILE ATING AS A TEAM, THE ALLIES SWEPT FRENCH TROOPS FREED MULHOUSE. ACROSS GERMANY TO MEET THE

Operations Map "Aachen and the Advance to the Roer" 13 ADVANCING TROOPS OF THE U.S.S.R. AT THE U.S. NINTH ARMY THEN MOVED THE ELBE AND FORCE THE COMPLETE INTO POSITION ON THE LEFT OF THE SURRENDER OF THE ENEMY ON 8 MAY FIRST ARMY. ON 16 NOVEMBER, 1945, 337 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL LAND­ FOLLOWING A DEVASTATING BOMBING INGS IN FRANCE. BY THE EIGHTH AND NINTH AIR FORCES, OUR ARMIES LAUNCHED AN OFFENSIVE On the south wall is a somewhat TOWARDS THE ROER. THE ATTACK AD­ smaller map, of materials similar to VANCED SLOWLY EASTWARD AGAINST the other, entitled "Aachen and the DETERMINED RESISTANCE AND FURIOUS Advance to the Roer"; it illustrates the COUNTERATTACKS. THE NATURAL military operations in this region. Ac­ BARRIER OF THE HURTGEN FOREST, companying this map is an inscribed NOW GREATLY STRENGTHENED BY INGE­ text, also in three languages, the Eng­ NIOUS FORTIFICATIONS, PRESENTED A lish version reading as follows: SERIOUS DELAYING OBSTACLE. ON 12 SEPTEMBER 1944 THE U.S. FIRST NOT IN YEARS HAD EUROPEAN ARMY CROSSED THE GERMAN FRONTIER WEATHER BEEN SO UNFAVORABLE FOR NEAR AACHEN. HERE THE BROAD, MILITARY OPERATIONS BUT BY 15 DE­ SWEEPING ADVANCE ACROSS FRANCE CEMBER FIRST ARMY UNITS HAD AND BELGIUM WAS SLOWED BY THE REACHED THE ROER FROM DUREN STRONGLY FORTIFIED SIEGFRIED LINE. NORTHWARD. ATTACKS THROUGH THE STRUGGLING FORWARD AGAINST HURTGEN FOREST WERE STILL IN PROG­ INCREASING RESISTANCE, INFANTRY RESS WHEN, IN THE ARDENNES, ON 16 AND ARMORED FORCES BROKE DECEMBER, THE ENEMY LOOSED HIS THROUGH TO STOLBERG, EAST OF LAST GREAT COUNTEROFFENSIVE OF AACHEN. PROGRESS WAS SLOW, THE THE WAR. THE FIRST ARMY MOVED IN­ FIGHTING OBSTINATE, AS OUR TROOPS STANTLY TO MEET THE THREAT, SUS­ FORCED THEIR WAY INTO HURTGEN PENDING OFFENSIVE ACTION IN THE FOREST TO SCHEVENHUTTE AND HURTGEN FOREST AREA UNTIL AFTER BEYOND LAMMERSDORF, THREATENING THE VICTORIOUS CONCLUSION OF THE THE ROER RIVER DAMS. ARDENNES CAMPAIGN ON 25 JANUARY ON 2 OCTOBER THE FIRST ARMY 1945. LAUNCHED AN ATTACK NORTH OF The maps were designed by Sante AACHEN. AFTER SIX DAYS OF HEAVY Graziani of Worcester, Massachu­ FIGHTING, AIDED BY FIGHTERS AND ME­ setts, from information furnished by DIUM BOMBERS OF THE NINTH AIR the American Battle Monuments FORCE, OUR GROUND FORCES HAD Commission. They were fabricated PUSHED THROUGH THE SIEGFRIED LINE by Enrico Pandolfini of Pietrasanta, AND TURNED SOUTHWARD TOWARDS Italy. Under the map of military WURSELEN. UNITS TO THE EAST THEN operations in Northwestern Europe is JOINED THE ASSAULT. WHEN THE GARRI­ a stand of white Carrara marble bear­ SON IN AACHEN REFUSED A SURRENDER ing the two sets of key maps, "The ULTIMATUM, U.S. FORCES LAUNCHED A War Against Germany" and "The MASSIVE AIR AND ARTILLERY BOM­ War Against Japan." BARDMENT AGAINST THEM; FURIOUS FIGHTING MARKED THE ENEMY'S DETER­ MINED EFFORT TO REINFORCE THE THE GRAVES AREA AREA. BY 16 OCTOBER THE CITY HAD East of the colonnade a terrace affords BEEN ENCIRCLED; SUCCESSIVE a prospect over the burial area. Imme­ ATTEMPTS TO RELIEVE THE GARRISON diately in front is the bronze statue of WERE FIRMLY REPULSED. ON 21 OCTO­ the Archangel bestowing the laurel BER AACHEN SURRENDERED, THE FIRST branch upon the heroic Dead for LARGE GERMAN CITY TO FALL INTO whom he makes special commenda­ ALLIED HANDS. tion to the Almighty. This was de- 14 signed by Donal Hord of San Diego, Along the paved approach to the California, and cast by Battaglia of memorial are large beds of pink Poly- Milan, Italy. antha roses and adjoining the colon­ The graves area is divided into 8 nade itself are to be found other plots, lettered "A" to "H"; these are massifs of white roses. separated by the broad axial mall and Within the graves areas Birch by longitudinal grass paths. The 7,989 (Betula alba and B. nigra), Hornbeam headstones are arranged in broad (Carpinus betulus), and Yew (Taxus sweeping curves upon the gently slop­ baccata) have been planted and free ing lawn. These Dead came from 49 growing Box has been massed in States, and from the District of Co­ groups against the surrounding walls. lumbia, Panama and England. Beyond the wall also are groups of Among the graves are 33 instances in Rhododendron ponticum and which 2 brothers rest side by side, and shrubby Chestnut (Aesculus parvi- one instance of 3 brothers; also there flora) and a number of Norway are headstones marking the tombs of Spruce. 94 Unknowns. The central mall terminates in a wall-enclosed flagpole plaza, backed VISITORS' ROOM by a copse of oak and spruce trees. On the wall is the inscription: IN HON­ The Visitors' Room is in the south end ORED MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE of the memorial and can be reached THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY. either from the colonnade or from the south parking area and a door at the PLANTINGS south end of the memorial. It contains The memorial is set within a frame­ the superintendent's office, restroom work of Box hedges (Buxus semper- facilities and a comfortably furnished virens), which has been extended to area where visitors may rest, obtain form a border to the paths which lead information, sign the register and to the graves area. pause to refresh themselves. When­ In the lawns at each end of the me­ ever the cemetery is open to the morial are groups of weeping willows public, a staff member is available to (Salix babylonia); flanking the memo­ provide information on specific burial rial north and south of the grass ter­ and memorialization locations in any race on which it stands, are groups of of the Commission's cemeteries, ac­ Serbian Spruce (Picea Omorika) and commodations in the vicinity, best Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa) mixed means and routes of travel, local his­ with Hawthorns (Crataegus oxyacan- tory and other items that may be of tha). interest.

15 View of the Graves Area Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, Aisne, France

AMERICAN MEMORIALS and OVERSEAS MILITARY CEMETERIES

The AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS regulations for the erection of COMMISSION was created by act of monuments, markers and memo­ Congress in March 1923 to erect and rials in foreign countries by other maintain memorials in the United United States citizens and organiza­ States and foreign countries where tions, public or private. It was later the United States Armed Forces given responsibility for establishing have served since 6 April 1917, and or taking over from the Armed to control as to design and provide Forces permanent burial grounds in

17 on foreign soil; and cooperating with foreign countries and designing, After World War I, the American Armed Forces. In 1934 the World American citizens, states, municipali­ constructing and maintaining per­ Battle Monuments Commission War I oversea cemeteries were trans­ ties or associations desiring to erect manent cemetery memorials at these erected a memorial chapel in each of ferred to the Commission by Execu­ war memorials outside the continental burial sites; controlling as to design the eight military cemeteries over­ tive Order. limits of the United States. It is not and materials, providing regulations seas already established by the War responsible for construction, main­ The names and locations of these for and supervising erection of all Department, as well as eleven tenance or operation of cemeteries in World War I cemetery memorials, monuments, memorials, buildings monuments and two bronze tablets the continental United States or its ter­ the number of burials and the and other structures in permanent on the battlefields and elsewhere, to ritories and possessions. number of Missing recorded at their United States cemetery memorials record the achievements of our memorials are: 18 19 World War I Burials Missing Known Unknown Commemorated Aisne-Marne, Belleau, France 2,039 249 1,060 Brookwood, England 427 41 563 Flanders Field, Waregem, Belgium 347 21 43 Meuse-Argonne, Romagne, France 13,760 486 954 Oise-Aisne, Fere-en-Tardenois, France 5,415 597 241 St. Mihiel, Thiaucourt, France 4,036 117 284 Somme, Bony, France 1,707 137 333 Suresnes (See WW II also), France 1,535 6 974 Totals 29,266 1,654 4,452

World War I monuments erected cemeteries in Honolulu, Sitka and by the Commission are located at or Puerto Rico (which are now adminis­ near: Audenarde, Belgium; Bel- tered by the National Cemetery Sys­ licourt, France; Brest, France; Can- tem, Veterans' Administration). As tigny, France; Chateau-Thierry, was the case after World War I, some France; Gibraltar; Kemmel, Belgium; remains were left in isolated graves Montfaucon, France; Montsec, outside of the cemeteries by request France; Sommepy, France; and of the families who then became re^ Tours, France. World War I tablets sponsible for their maintenance; are at Chaumont and Souilly, Fourteen sites in foreign countries France. were selected as permanent By the end of World War II several cemeteries in 1947 by the Secretary hundred temporary cemeteries had of the Army and the American Battle been established by the American Monuments Commission in concert. Graves Registration Service of the Their locations reflect the progress of United States Army. During the the military operations and were years 1947 to 1954 that Service, com­ selected with consideration of their plying with the expressed wishes of accessibility, aspect, prospect, the next of kin, and by authority of drainage and other practical factors. law, repatriated the remains of some The World War II cemeteries with 172,000 recovered bodies. The re­ numbers of burials, including Un­ mainder were given final interment knowns, and the numbers of Miss­ in the permanent military cemeteries ing recorded at their memorials and on foreign soil, in private cemeteries at three separate memorials on overseas and in the national United States soil are:

World War 11 Burials Missing Known Unknown Commemorated Ardennes, Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz) Belgium . 4,536 741 462 4,313 97 497 3,787 24 5,126 5,186 69 424 4,189 213 1,409 7,895 94 450 10,338 151 Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 4,975 101 370 13,462 3,744 36,280 Netherlands, Margraten, Holland 8,195 106 1,722 Normandy, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France 9,079 307 1,557 2,601 240 3,724 799 62 293 7,372 440 3,095 24 20 East Coast Memorial, New York City, New York ...... 4,596 Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii ...... 18,094 West Coast Memorial, San Francisco, California ...... 413

Totals 86,727 6,513 78,956 World War II cemeteries maintained by the National Cemetery System, Veterans' Administration National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (See Honolulu, Hawaii 11,597 2,079 Honolulu Memorial) Puerto Rico 69 Sitka, Alaska 67 5 Other Missing in Action Commemorated by ABMC Korean War, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii ... • • • 8,195 Vietnam War, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii ... • • • 2,489

In every case, use of the perma­ American Battle Monuments Com­ nent cemetery sites on foreign soil mission by Presidential Executive was granted in perpetuity by the Order. Thereupon the remaining host government to the United portions of the architects' designs States free of cost, rent and taxation. were carried out, step by step — The temporary cemetery sites not grading; installation of a system of selected as permanent cemeteries reinforced concrete beams on piles reverted to the landowners. to maintain the levels and align­ In 1947, an outstanding American ments of the headstones; fabrication architect was selected to design each and installation of the headstones; of the World War II cemeteries, con­ construction of water supply and ceiving its grave plots, a chapel and a distribution systems, utilities build­ museum as complementary ele­ ings, roads and paths; plantings; ments of an integral memorial to the and erection of the memorials, vis­ services and sacrifices of the Ameri­ itors' buildings and flagpoles. can Armed Services who fought in For design of the various memo­ the particular region. Upon approval rials, no specific limitations were of their general schemes by the imposed upon the architects other Commission and by agreement with than budgeted cost and a require­ the Secretary of the Army, the ar­ ment that each was to embody these chitects' plans of the grave plots features: were followed by the American A small devotional chapel; Graves Registration Service in mak­ inscription of the names and ing the permanent burials of those particulars of the Missing in the remains which by decision of the region; next of kin were to be interred over­ a graphic record, in permanent seas. The timely cooperation be­ form, of the services of our troops tween these two agencies contrib­ (WW II only; however, Oise- uted appreciably to the coherence of Aisne, Meuse-Argonne and St. the development of the cemetery de­ Mihiel WW I American Cemeter­ signs. ies also have battle maps). Beginning in the latter half of 1949, These requirements have been in­ the permanent interments having terpreted in a wide and interesting been virtually completed, the World variety of forms. War II overseas cemeteries were An important motive for the con­ progressively transferred for con­ struction of the memorials is the im­ struction and maintenance to the plied undertaking by our Govern- 21 Suresnes American Cemetery, Suresnes, Seine, France Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge, England ment to record by monuments the Against Germany" and "The War achievements of our Armed Ser­ Against Japan." Each set consists of vices, since the erection of memo­ three maps, each covering about rials by the troops (which in the past one-third of the period of our par­ unfortunately had all too often been ticipation in the war. By these key- found to be poorly designed, poorly maps any major battle may be re­ constructed and lacking provision lated to the others in time and space. for maintenance) was expressly for­ With each architect, an American bidden by the military services. The landscape architect, an American permanent graphic record takes the sculptor and an American muralist form of military maps, usually large or painter usually collaborated. murals, amplified by descriptive Their combined talents produced texts in English as well as in the lan­ the beauty and dignity of the memo­ guage of the country in which the rials, all of which are dedicated to the cemetery is located. The historical memory of the achievements of data for these maps were prepared those who served and of the sac­ by the American Battle Monuments rifices of those who died. The con­ Commission. The maps themselves struction of the cemeteries and were rendered by experienced ar­ memorials and the execution of most tists in tasteful presentation using of the works of art, were performed various media: layered marbles, by local contractors and artists under fresco, bronze relief, mosaic con­ the supervision of the Commission. crete or ceramics. Another feature of At each cemetery there is a vis­ interest at each memorial is the two itors' building or room, with com­ sets of "key-maps": "The War fortable furnishings. Here visitors 23 Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, St. James, Manche, France may learn the grave locations (or in­ Tablets of the Missing (which also scriptions of the Missing) at any of include the names of those whose the oversea cemeteries. remains could not be identified and Each grave in the oversea those lost or buried at sea) give cemeteries is marked by a headstone name, rank, organization and state; of white marble—a Star of David for the circumstances under which those of Jewish faith, a Latin cross death occurred often precluded the for all others. Each headstone bears possibility of determining the exact the deceased's name, rank, service, date. organization, date of death and state These cemeteries are open every or territory from which he entered day of the year. Photography is the military service. permitted without special authoriza­ In the World War I cemeteries, tion, except when it is to be used for headstones of the Unknowns, i.e., commercial purposes—in such those remains which could not be cases, permission must be obtained identified, bear the inscription: from the Commission. Unlike National cemeteries under HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERI­ jurisdiction of the Veterans' Ad­ CAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD. ministration, there can be no further burials in the American military In the World War II cemeteries, the cemeteries overseas except of those inscription reads: remains which may, in the future, be found on the battlefields. Essen­ HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE tially, these graves with their memo­ IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD. rials constitute inviolable shrines. 24 Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, Draguignan, Var, France

25 In addition to the eight World War Monuments Commission con­ I cemeteries, the 14 World War II structed a memorial therein, incor­ cemeteries, 11 World War I monu­ porating the features of the memo­ ments and two tablets, the American rials in its oversea cemeteries. The Battle Monuments Commission names of 18,094 Missing of World program of commemoration in­ War II who gave their lives in the cludes the following: Pacific areas (except the Southwest and the Palau Islands which are SURESNES commemorated at the Manila Ceme­ tery Memorial) are recorded here as At the Suresnes Cemetery Memo­ well as 8,195 Missing of the Korean rial, senior representatives of the War and 2,489 Missing from the French and United States Govern­ Vietnam War. ments pay homage to our military Dead on ceremonial occasions. Ac­ AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY cordingly, 24 Unknown Dead of FORCES MEMORIAL, located on World War II were buried in this Penn. Ave. between 14th and 15th World War I cemetery, and two log­ Streets, NW in Wash. DC, com­ gias were added to its chapel by the memorates the two million Ameri­ Commission, thereby converting it can military personnel and their into a shrine commemorating our CinC, Gen. John J. Pershing, who Dead of both wars. made up the AEF of WWI. It consists of a stone plaza 52 ft. by EAST COAST MEMORIAL 75 ft., an 8 ft. statue of Gen. Pershing To commemorate those 4,596 on a stone pedestal, a stone bench Americans who, in or above the facing the statue and two 10 ft. high waters off the east coast of North and walls, one along the south side of the South America, but outside the ter­ memorial area and one along the ritorial limits of the United States, east. The south wall contains two gave their lives in the service of their battle maps with appropriate in­ country, the Commission erected a scriptions. Inscribed upon the re­ memorial in Battery Park, New York verse face of the east wall is Gen. City, upon which their names and Pershing's tribute to the officers and particulars are inscribed. men of the AEF: "IN THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR VALOR, AND IN THE LOYAL FUL­ FILLMENT OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS, THE WEST COAST MEMORIAL OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE AMERICAN Similarly, the names and particulars EXPEDITIONARY FORCES HAVE LEFT A of those 413 Americans who gave HERITAGE OF WHICH THOSE WHO FOL­ their lives in the service of their LOW MAY EVER BE PROUD." country off the west coast of the Americas but outside the territorial SAIPAN MONUMENT is situated limits of the United States, are re­ near the beach overlooking Tanapag corded at the memorial erected by Harbor on the Island of Saipan, the Commission at the Presidio of Commonwealth of the Northern San Francisco. Mariana Islands. It is part of an American memorial park com­ HONOLULU MEMORIAL memorating the American and Marianas Dead in the Marianas Although the National Memorial Campaign of World War II. The Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu monument honors specifically the is administered by the Veterans 24,000 American marines and sol­ Administration, the American Battle diers who died recapturing the vol-

26 Honolulu Memorial (WW II, Korea and Vietnam), National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii canic islands of Saipan, Tinian and French and English. It was officially Guam during the period of 15 June turned over to the American gov­ 1944-11 August 1944. ernment for operation and mainte­ It is a twelve-foot rectangular nance in perpetuity on 11 January obelisk of rose granite in a land­ 1979. scaped area of local flora. Inscribed upon the monument are these UTAH BEACH MONUMENT words: "THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF The Utah Beach Monument is lo­ AMERICA IN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THE cated at the termination of Highway SONS WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SAC­ N-13D, approximately 3 kilometers RIFICE FOR LIBERATION OF THE northeast of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont MARIANAS 1941-1945." (Manche), France. This monument commemorates the achievements of POINTE DU HOC MONUMENT the American Forces of the VII Corps who fought in the liberation of the Following World War II, the French Cotentin Peninsula from 6 June to 1 erected a monument at Pointe du July 1944. It consists of a red granite Hoc overlooking the right flank of obelisk surrounded by a small, de­ Omaha Beach, France honoring the veloped park overlooking the his­ elements of the 2nd Ranger Battalion toric sand dunes of Utah Beach, one under the command of LTC James of the two American landing Rudder who scaled the cliff, seized beaches during the Normandy Inva­ the position, and defended it against sion of 6 June 1944. German counter-attacks at a high cost of lives. The monument consists of a simple pylon on top of a concrete MEXICO CITY bunker at the edge of the cliff and NATIONAL CEMETERY appropriate inscriptions at its base in The Mexico City National Cemetery 27 is at 31 Calzada Melchor Ocampo, COROZAL AMERICAN about 2 miles west of the cathedral CEMETERY, COROZAL, and about one mile north of the U.S. REPUBLIC OF PANAMA Embassy. This cemetery was estab­ lished in 1851 and contains a small The Corozal American Cemetery is monument over the grave of 750 of located approximately three miles our unidentified Dead of the War of north of Panama City, just off Gail- 1847. In this one acre area there are lard Highway between the Corozal 813 remains of Americans and others Railroad Station and Fort Clayton. in wall crypts. Care of the cemetery To reach the cemetery, follow Gail- was transferred from the Depart­ lard Highway north from Panama ment of the Army to this Commis­ City, turn right on Rybicki Road, and sion on 16 July 1947. This cemetery proceed about one-half mile to the was closed to burials in 1923. cemetery. Taxi and bus service to the 28 cemetery are available from Panama Florence, Sicily-Rome and North Af­ City. There are 4,844 identified rica cemeteries, where the Mediter­ "Known" Dead interred here. In ranean office is responsible and agreement with the Republic of Manila cemetery, where the Philip­ Panama, care and maintenance of pine office is responsible. the cemetery in perpetuity was as­ Orders for flowers for all sumed by the Commission on 1 Oc­ cemeteries may also be placed tober 1979. through any local florist who is a FLORAL DECORATIONS member of the "Florists Telegraph Delivery Association." In such In the oversea cemeteries, the deco­ cases, the name of the deceased, his ration of graves or the Tablets of the rank, service number, name of the Missing with natural cut flowers cemetery, country in which located only is permitted. The Commission and the location by plot, row and is always ready to help arrange with grave should be provided, if known. local florists in foreign countries for placement of such decorations. Re­ ADDITIONAL quests should be mailed so as to ar­ INFORMATION rive at the appropriate Commission office at least thirty days before the Further information regarding date of decoration and should be ac­ cemeteries and memorials may be companied by check or U. S. Postal obtained at the Commission's offices Money Order in dollars. Deposits in Washington, Garches (near may be made for a single decoration Paris), Rome or Manila. Visitors on a particular day—birthday, passing through these cities are in­ Memorial Day, Christmas Day, for vited to call. The Commission's example—or for several decorations representatives there may be of on particular dates within a year or assistance in verifying travel routes over a period of years. Checks and schedules and also in furnishing should be made payable to "ABMC information concerning overnight Flower Fund," money orders to accommodations. These offices are "The American Battle Monuments not open on Saturdays, Sundays or Commission." Requests should be holidays, but essential information addressed to the Commission's may be obtained overseas through European office, except in the case of our Embassy telephone operators.

SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION Name, location and general information concerning the cemetery or memorial; plot, row and grave number if appropriate; best routes and modes of travel in-country to the cemetery or memorial; general infor­ mation about the accommodations that may be available in the vicinity; escort service within the cemetery memorial for relatives; letters au­ thorizing fee-free passports for members of the immediate family traveling overseas to visit a grave or memorial site; black and white photographs of headstones and sections of the Tablets of the Missing on which the servicemen's names are engraved; large color lithographs of World War I and II cemeteries and memorials to which the appro­ priate headstone or section of the Tablets of the Missing photographs are affixed; and arrangements for floral decoration of grave and memo­ rial sites. Photographs of graves in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (in Honolulu) are not available through the Commission. 29 Decorated Cravesite of an "Unknown' 30 THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS MARCH 1923

Membership

Andrew J. Goodpaster Armistead J. Maupin Chairman Deputy Chairman Francis J. Bagnell William E. Hickey Kitty D. Bradley John C. McDonald Joseph W. Canzeri Freda J. Poundstone Aubrey O. Cookman Vacancy Rexford C. Early A. J. Adams, Secretary

UNITED STATES OFFICE MEDITERRANEAN OFFICE

Casimir Pulaski Building Street Address: 20 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. American Embassy Washington, D.C. 20314-0300 Via V Veneto 119A Telephone: (202) 272-0533 Rome, Italy 00187 272-0534 Mailing Address: APO New York 09794-0007 Telephone: 4674, Ext. 2033 06-475-0-157 Telegrams: ABMC AMEMBASSY EUROPEAN OFFICE Rome, Italy

Street Address: PHILIPPINE OFFICE 68, rue du 19 Janvier 92380 - Garches, France Street Address Mailing Address: American Military Cemetery APO New York 09777 Manila, R. P. Telephone: 4-701-1976 Mailing Address: Telegrams: ABMC APO San Francisco 96528 AMEMBASSY Telephone: Manila 88-02-12 Paris, France Telegrams: AMBAMCOM, Manila, R.P.

31 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France