©ise-aisne American Cemeterg and memorial

The American Battle Monuments Commission 1978 Chapel Interior

2 ©ise-aisne American (Eemtttrg and Memorial

LOCATION miles/88 kilometers), turn left at Chateau-Thierry on Highway N-367, The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery continue to Fere-en-Tardenois (14 and Memorial is located 1.5 miles (2.5 miles/22.5 kilometers), and turn right kilometers) east of Fere-en-Tardenois, on D-2 to the cemetery (1.5 miles/2.5 along highway D-2, near the hamlet of kilometers). Directional road signs to Seringes-et-Nesles. It is approximately the cemetery may be found on the main 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of highways in Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, Paris and can be reached by train from Reims and Epernay. Road distances to the Gare de l'Est in Paris via Chateau- Fere-en-Tardenois from nearby cities Thierry and Fere-en-Tardenois in about are: Soissons—16 miles/26 kilometers, two hours. Taxi service to the cemetery Reims—28.5 miles/46 kilometers, Laon is available from each of these stations. —33 miles/53 kilometers, and Senlis— To travel by automobile to the Oise- 44.5 miles/72 kilometers. Aisne American Cemetery from Paris, Adequate hotel accommodations and one should proceed east on Highway restaurant facilities are available in N-3 through Meaux and Forte-sous- Chateau-Thierry, Epernay, Fere-en-Tar­ Jouarre to Chateau-Thierry (54.5 denois, Reims, Senlis and Soissons.

Entrance to Graves Area

3 HOURS days after the attack began, the U.S. The cemetery is open daily to the 3d Division reached Chateau-Thierry public during the following hours: where it fought stubbornly and success­ SUMMER (16 March - 30 September) fully to prevent the Germans from cross­ 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ing the Marne. The next day, the U.S. WINTER (1 October -15 March) 2d Division arrived and deployed across 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the main route to Paris northwest of During these hours, a staff member Chateau-Thierry, where it was able to is on duty at the visitors' room to halt the German offensive in that direc­ answer questions and to escort relatives tion. With the aid of American divi­ to gravesites or the Tablets of the Miss­ sions, the Allies were able to stop the ing. Germans but not before a great salient had been driven into Allied lines HISTORY roughly defined by the cities of Reims, Chateau-Thierry and Soissons. Despite Germany's strategic plan for 1918 en­ the penetration of German forces west tailed the destruction of the British and southwest of Reims, the city itself Army in the spring followed by massive and its vital rail facilities remained in attacks against the French. During Allied hands. This left the 40 German March and April, the Germans launched divisions in the salient dependent upon offensives against the British in Picardy one railroad link through Soissons for and Flanders. The situation for the resupply. To widen the salient and se­ British was critical until several French cure the railroad line between Com- divisions were dispatched to their aid. piegne and Soissons, two German Although destruction of British forces armies attacked westward from the was averted, heavy casualties were in­ salient on June 9. They encountered flicted upon them and they lost con­ such intense resistance, however, that siderable ground. their attack quickly ground to a halt. While these attacks were taking place, other German forces were preparing for Without delay, the Germans began a major offensive along the Aisne River. preparing for a major offensive against Unaware of this and anticipating that Reims and the high ground to its south the assaults against the British Army in to provide them with the additional Picardy and Flanders would resume at railroad link they so sorely needed for any time, the French High Command their forces in the salient. Luckily, shifted some of its forces from the Aisne Allied intelligence agents learned not River to reinforce the British sector. only the line of the new German attack, but the exact day and hour it was sched­ On the morning of May 27, 1918, uled to take place. the Germans attacked in strength be­ tween Berry-au-Bac and Anizy-le- By mid-July, twelve of the twenty-six Chateau, surprising the French com­ American divisions in France were pletely. By noon, German forces had ready for combat. (These statistics did crossed the Aisne River on captured not reveal the strength of American bridges and by that evening were south forces completely as American divisions of the Vesle River. Having met little were larger and had twice the fire power resistance in their rapid advance toward of French, British and German divi­ the Marne River, the Germans decided sions). Capitalizing on availability of to exploit their success by driving fresh American troops, Marshal Foch, toward Paris. the Allied commander, included in his Meanwhile, Allied reserves were counterattack plans an assault against rushed to the Aisne-Marne front from the western face of the Aisne-Marne every quarter and the French govern­ salient by two American divisions. ment prepared to flee Paris for Bor­ On July 15, 1918, the day of the Ger­ deaux in the south. On May 31, four man offensive. Allied forces reduced

4 the manning of their front line units Oise-Aisne campaign. During the to weak detachments and gave them period August 28 to September 1, the orders to retire under heavy bombard­ U.S. 32d Division captured the town of ment. This tactic proved quite success­ Juvigny penetrating German positions ful as much of the German preparatory to a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). fire was wasted on newly abandoned The progress of the Allied offensive and positions. Capitalizing further on their the threat of being cut off caused the knowledge of the exact hour of the Germans to withdraw from the Vesle to German attack, the Allies began bom­ the Aisne River during the night of barding likely German assembly areas September 3-4. The U.S. 28th and 77th shortly before their preparatory fire was Divisions pressed the Allied attack expected to commence. The German against the new German line. On Sep­ assault forces suffered heavy casualties tember 8, the U.S. 28th Division was and were thrown into a state of com­ given a well-deserved rest. Following plete confusion, causing them to ter­ heavy fighting at the Ourcq and Vesle minate their offensive without attaining Rivers, the 77th Division was with­ any of their objectives. drawn from the lines on September 16 and also given a rest. During the latter The following day, on July 18, the part of September 1918, the 370th In­ Allies launched a counterattack against fantry Regiment of the U.S. 93d Divi­ the western face of the Aisne-Marne sion and the French 59th Division ad­ salient. Although the Germans resisted vanced steadily north of the Vauxaillon. stubbornly, they soon realized their posi­ The 370th Infantry Regiment remained tion was untenable and began with­ in the lines until the middle of October drawing. Reduction of the salient was when it was given a rest. It reentered complete on August 4, when Allied battle on November 5 and continued troops reached the south bank of the in the pursuit of the German Army until Vesle River. The counterattack was the signing of the Armistice six days terminated officially on August 6, 1918. later. Not only had a serious threat to Paris been removed, but important railways ARCHITECTS were freed once again for Allied use. Marshal Petain, who drew up the plans Architects for the cemetery's memo­ for meeting the German offensive, said rial features were Cram and Ferguson of that the counterattack could not have Boston, Massachusetts. The landscape succeeded without use of American architect was Mr. George Gibbs, Jr. The troops. consulting architect for the American Battle Monuments Commission was Dr. Quickly, Allied offensive operations Paul P. Cret of Philadelphia, Pennsyl­ were initiated elsewhere to maintain vania. pressure on the Germans, who were now on the defensive, to make it difficult THE SITE for them to regroup and reorganize. On The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, August 8, the British began their highly 36.5 acres in extent, is the second larg­ successful Somme offensive. Ten days est of eight permanent American World later, French forces with the support of War I military cemeteries on foreign American troops, began the very suc­ soil. Established initially as a temporary cessful Oise-Aisne campaign in the battlefield cemetery by the 42d Division Aisne-Marne region near Noyon, dur­ on August 2, 1918, Congress authorized ing which the German forces on the its retention as a permanent cemetery in Vesle and the Aisne Rivers were out­ 1921. flanked, forcing them to withdraw. The majority of the 6,012 War Dead Many U.S. servicemen whose remains interred in the cemetery died fighting are interred in the Oise-Aisne Ameri­ along the Ourcq River and in the area can Cemetery lost their lives in the between the cemetery and the Oise

5 Location of Cemetery Features

River during the Aisne-Marne offen­ tendent's quarters with the visitors' sive and the Oise-Aisne offensive. An room and office are located on the south agreement with the French government side. grants use of the site as a military ceme­ Entrance to the graves area is tery in perpetuity without charge or through two iron pedestrian gates on taxation. highway D-2 which open onto the cen­ In 1922, the remains of American tral mall leading to the memorial chapel servicemen buried in the general area and the museum at its northern end. A west of Tours-Romorantin-Paris-Le- cross-axis mall intersects the central mall Harve, whose next of kin requested per­ near the center of the graves area divid­ manent interment overseas, were dis­ ing it into four rectangular plots. At the interred and permanently interred at the intersection of the two malls is a cir­ Oise-Aisne American Cemetery. All in­ cular island of grass and a flag staff terments were made by the American from which the American flag flies Graves Registration Service. The memo­ daily. A small cul-de-sac with a stone rial, the chapel, the visitors' room, the bench and a planter backed by ever­ office, the Superintendent's quarters, and green shrubbery lies at each end of the the service facilities were designed and cross-axis mall. Bordering the malls are constructed by the American Battle Oriental plane trees and beds of poly- Monuments Commission as part of its antha roses surrounded by dwarf box­ program commemorating the achieve­ wood hedges. ments of the American Expeditionary A path edged by privet hedge lies Forces in the Great War. just inside the perimeter fence which encloses the graves area. GENERAL LAYOUT The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery THE MEMORIAL is generally rectangular in shape. Its The Romanesque memorial consists memorial chapel, museum and grave of a semi-circular peristyle with a plots, which encompass three-quarters of chapel on the right (east) end and a the cemetery, are located on the north one-room museum on the left. Its side of highway D-2; and the parking columns of granite and multi-hued area, service facilities and the superin­ French and Italian marble encircle a 6 Cross-axis Mall

Cul-de-Sac at End of Cross Axis Mall

7 The Memorial

Altar on Terrace of Peristyle

8 raised stone terrace, in the center of cannon muzzle, mule's head, trench which is a large rectangular altar of knife, canteen and cover, belt of ma­ polished, golden, Rocheret Jaune marble. chine gun ammunition, artillery shell Entrance to the chapel and museum is and harness. from the terrace. The walls and piers of The columns of the peristyle are the peristyle are of pink Gres des Vosges separated at regular intervals by one of sandstone with copings, bands, and four piers. Above each of the two outer openings of buff-grey Rippes Jaune piers is carved a soldier of World War sandstone. I; above each of the two inner piers is An eagle rising, a palm wreath en­ carved St. George slaying the dragon on circling a cross and a pelican feeding the left and St. Michael, the Archangel, its young, early Christian symbols of on the right. Over them in the frieze of redemption and resurrection, are carved the peristyle in Rippes Jaune stone is on the front face of the outdoor stone the commemorative inscription: THESE altar in bas relief. Above the carving is ENDURED ALL AND GAVE THAT HONOR inscribed in English and French: IN AND JUSTICE MIGHT PREVAIL AND SACRED SLEEP THEY REST. THAT THE WORLD MIGHT ENJOY FREE­ Engraved on the front and rear faces DOM AND INHERIT PEACE. Engraved on of the capitals of the ten double the rear of the peristyle is the inscrip­ columns of the colonnade are the in­ tion: AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS signia of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 26th, 28th, COMMISSION, CRAM AND FERGUSON 32d, 42d, 77th, and 93d Divisions which ARCHITECTS. fought in this sector. Carved on the In the frieze of the exterior walls of sides of the capitals are embellishments the chapel and museum are carved such as a rifle and bayonet, gas mask, twenty-three shields depicting the one-pounder cannon, airplane propeller, branch and service insignia of U.S. field glasses, Stokes mortar, airplane Forces which served in the Oise-Aisne bomb, entrenching tools, automatic pis­ region: Infantry, Field Artillery, Engi­ tol, field telephone set, hand grenade, neers, Signal Corps, Air Service, Coast mess kit, machine gun on a tripod, Artillery Corps, Quartermaster Corps, Ordnance Department, Medical Depart­ Entrance to Chapel ment, Chemical Warfare Service, Marine Corps, Tank Corps, Motor Transport Corps, Transportation Corps, Cavalry, Military Police, General Staff Corps, Adjutant General's Department, Inspec­ tor General's Department, Judge Advo­ cate General's Department, Christian Chaplains, Jewish Chaplains and the American Field Service. Below the frieze on the front wall of both the chapel and museum is a stylized version of the Great Seal of the United States.

THE CHAPEL The rectangular, stone chapel on the right (west) end of the peristyle, is entered from the raised terrace through a massive brass-studded oak door of dark panels trimmed in lighter-colored wood. Three stars within circles separated by laurel leaves are carved in the lintel above the door. At each end of the

9 lintel is carved a fasces, symbol of authority of the magistrates of ancient Rome. Facing the entrance, inside the chapel, is a beautiful altar of black variegared Italian porter marble inset with two panels of Rocheret Jaune marble. A stylized oak tree, traditionally symbolizing strength, virtue and faith, is carved upon each of these panels. Between the two oak trees in a circle is the carved figure of a pelican feeding her young, symbolic of Christ feeding the masses. The tall Rocheret Jaune marble back of the altar is embellished with decora­ tive sculpture and panels, and carries the following inscription on a gilded background directly above the altar: WITH GOD IS THEIR REWARD. A gold cross between two candelabra sits upon the altar. Flanking the altar on each side is a large potted plant. Interior of Museum The names of 241 American soldiers played from bronze standards ar the missing in the area whose remains were corners of this wall. A carved walnut never recovered or if recovered never bench stands between them. identified, are inscribed upon the side On the left (north) wall, also en­ walls. This inscription precedes the graved on a gilded background is the names on the south wall: THE NAMES dedicatory relief inscription: IN GRATE­ RECORDED ON THESE WALLS ARE FUL REMEMBRANCE OF HER SONS WHO THOSE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN THE WORLD WAR THIS CHAPEL FOUGHT IN THIS REGION AND WHO IS ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF SLEEP IN UNKNOWN GRAVES. AMERICA. The inscription appears in Two windows provide light for the both English and French. chapel's interior, one high above the Opposite the inscription on the south altar and one in the north wall. Each is wall is a carved battle map of the Oise- made up of circles of thin, translucent Aisne region. The map details the lines Algerian onyx. A circular bronze fili- of advance and the areas where various greed chandelier suspended from the American divisions fought during the vaulted stone ceiling also provides light. Oise-Aisne Offensive and the Second Completing the furnishings of this Battle of the Marne. They are described simple chapel are four hand-carved briefly in the history section of this walnut prayer benches facing the altar. booklet. The chandelier, oak door, and onyx MUSEUM windows march those of the chapel. On the east end of the peristyle is the museum room. It is similar in construc­ GRAVES AREA tion and size to the chapel. Carved in The graves area contains four rec­ the wall facing the entrance is a cru­ tangular plots bordered by wide tree- sader's sword upon a gilded background lined paths and beds of polyantha roses. flanked by vertical laurel leaves also Grave plots A and C lie to the left upon a gilded background. The colors (west) of the central mall and plots B of the United States and France are dis- and D to the right. Interred within

10 them are the remains of 6,012 military poplar, ash and maple. Between the and support personnel. They represent stone wall and the privet hedge are all of the then forty-eight States and the groups of lilac, hibiscus and hydrangea. District of Columbia. Of these remains, 547 are Unknowns, i.e., those which VISITORS' ROOM could not be identified. Inscribed on the The visitors' room and the cemetery headstones of the Unknowns is: HERE office are located in the superintendent's RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERI­ quarters, an ivy-covered building en­ CAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD. framed by stately maple trees and Stars of David mark the graves of flowering shrubs, on the south side of those of the Jewish faith; Latin crosses highway D-2 directly opposite the main mark the others. Each headstone was entrance to the cemetery. fabricated from white Carrara marble It is a comfortably furnished room, quarried in Italy. As one proceeds with toilet facilities, where visitors may through the cemetery, their long rows obtain information, sign the register and rise gently from the main entrance of pause to refresh themselves. During the the graves area to the memorial on the day, a member of the cemetery staff is north, presenting an ever changing on duty in the building to answer ques­ array of geometric patterns. tions and provide information on Enclosing the graves area are a privet burials and memorializations in the hedge, a low peripheral stone wall Commission's cemeteries, accommoda­ covered intermittently with ivy, and a tions in the vicinity, travel, local his­ screen of oak, birch, pine, fir, cedar, tory and other things of interest.

Map of Aisne-Marne Region on Museum Wall

11 Flag Staff at Intersection of Malls

Central Mall of Graves Area

L2 Visitors' Room

Office and Visitors' Reception Room, Superintendent's Quarters

13 Suresnes American Cemetery. Suresnes, Seine. France Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, Belleau, France

AMERICAN MEMORIALS and OVERSEAS MILITARY CEMETERIES

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

15 foreign countries and designing, con­ on foreign soil; and cooperating with After World War I the American Forces. In 1934 the World War I structing and maintaining perma­ American citizens, States, municipali­ Battle Monuments Commission overseas cemeteries were transferred nent cemetery memorials at these ties, or associations desiring to erect erected a memorial chapel in each to the Commission by Executive burial sites; controlling as to design war memorials outside the continen­ of the eight military cemeteries over­ Order. and materials, providing regulations tal limits of the United States. It is not seas ahead} established by the War The names .and locations of these for, and supervising erection of all responsible for construction, main­ Department, as well as 11 monu­ World War I cemetery memorials, monuments, memorials, buildings, tenance, or operation of cemeter­ ments and two bronze tablets on the the numbers of burials, and the and other structures in permanent ies in the continental United States battlefields and elsewhere, to record numbers of Missing recorded at United States cemetery memorials or its Territories and possessions. the achievements of our Armed their memorials are:

It, 17 Buri als Missing Commem­ Knowns Unknowns orated

Aisne-Marne, Belleau, France 2,039 249 1,060 Brookwood, England 427 41 563 Flanders Field, Waregem, Belgium 347 21 4 5 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 29,266 1,654 4,452

World War I monuments erected in Honolulu, Sitka, and Puerto Rico by the Commission are located at or (which remain under Army con­ near: Andenarde, Belgium; Belli- trol) . As was the case after World court, France; Brest, France; Can- War I, some remains were left in tigny, France; Chateau-Thierry, isolated graves outside of the ceme­ France; Gibraltar; Kemmel, Bel­ teries by request of the families who gium; Montlaucon, France; Mont- then became responsible for their sec, France; Sommepy, France; and maintenance. Tours, Frame. World War I tablets Fourteen sites in foreign coun­ are at Chaumont and Souilly, France. tries were selected as permanent By the end of World' War II cemeteries in 1947 by the Secretary several hundred temporary ceme­ of the Army and the .American teries had been established by the Battle Monuments Commission in American Grates Registration Serv­ conceit. Their locations reflect the ice of the United States .Army. Dur­ progress of the military operations ing the years 1947 to 1954 that and were selected with consideration Service, complying with the ex­ of their accessibility, aspect, pros­ pressed wishes of the next of kin, pect, drainage, and other practical and by authority of law, repatriated factors. The World War II ceme­ the remains of some 172,000 re­ teries with numbers of burials, in­ covered bodies. The remainder were cluding Unknowns, and the num­ given final interment in the per­ bers of Missing recorded at their manent military cemeteries on for­ memorials and at three separate eign soil, in private cemeteries over­ memorials on United States soil are: seas, and in the national cemeteries

Burials Missing Commem­ Knowns Unknowns orated

Ardennes, Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz) Belgium 4,535 786 462 4,313 97 497 3,787 24 5,126 5,186 69 424 4,189 213 1,409 7,895 94 450 10,338 151 444 Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. . . . 4,975 101 370 13,462 3,744 36,279 8,195 106 1,722 9,079 307 1,557

18 North Africa, Carthage, Tunisia 2,601 240 3,724 Rhone, Draguignan, France ^99 62 293 Sicily-Rome, Nettuno, Italy 7,372 490 3,094 Suresnes (See WW I also), France 24 East Coast Memorial, New York City, New York 4,596 Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii 18,093 * (8,194) West Coast Memorial, San Francisco, Calif 412

Totals 86,726 6,508 1"8,952

World War II cemeteries maintained by the Department of the Army are:

Honolulu, Hawaii 11,506 2,028 (See Honolulu Memorial) Puerto Rico 69 Sitka, Alaska 67 5

In every case, use of the perma­ ence of the development of the nent cemetery sites on foreign soil cemetery designs. was granted in perpetuity by the Beginning in the latter half of host government to the United States 1919, the permanent interments hav­ free of cost, rent, and taxation. The ing been virtually completed, the temporary cemetery sites not selected World War II overseas cemeteries as permanent cemeteries reverted to were progressively transferred for the landowners. construction and maintenance to the In 1947, an outstanding American American Battle Monuments Com­ architect was selected to design mission by Presidential Executive each of the World War II ceme­ Order. Thereupon the remaining teries, conceiving its grave plots, a portions of the architects' designs chapel and a museum as comple­ were carried out, step by step—grad­ mentary elements of an integral me­ ing; installation of a system of rein­ morial to the services and sacrifices forced concrete beams on piles to of the American Armed Services who maintain the levels and alignments fought in the particular region. of the headstones; fabrication and Upon approval of their general installation of the headstones; con­ schemes by the Commission, and by struction of water supply and dis­ agreement with the Secretary of the tribution systems, utilities build­ Army, the architects' plans of the ings, roads and paths; plantings; grave plots were followed by the and erection of the memorials, visi­ American Graves Registration Serv­ tors buildings, and flagpoles. ice in making the permanent burials For design of the various memo­ of those remains which by decision rials, no specific limitations were im­ of the next of kin were to be in­ posed upon the architects other than terred overseas. The timely coopera­ budgeted cost and a requirement tion between these two agencies con­ that each was to embody these fea­ tributed appreciably to the coher­ tures: *8,194 Missing of the Korean conflict are commemorated at the Honolulu Memorial in addition to the 18,093 of World War II commemorated there.

19 Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge. England

A small devotional chapel. form of military maps, usually large Inscription of the names and murals, amplified by descriptive particulars of the Missing in the texts in English as well as in the region. language of the country in which A graphic record, in permanent the cemetery is located. The his­ form, of the services of our troops torical data for these maps were pre­ (WW II only; however, Oise- pared by the American Battle Monu­ Aisne, Meuse-Argonne and St. ments Commission. The maps them­ Mihiel WW I American Cemeter­ selves were rendered by experienced ies also have maps). artists in tasteful presentation using These requirements have been in­ various media: layered marbles, terpreted in a wide and interesting fresco, bronze relief, mosaic concrete variety of forms. or ceramics. Another feature of in­ An important motive for the con­ terest at each memorial is the two struction of the memorials is the im­ sets of "key-maps": "The War plied undertaking by our Govern­ Against Germany" and "The War ment to record by monuments the Against Japan." Each set consists of achievements of our Armed Services, three maps, each covering about one- since the erection of memorials by third of the period of our participa­ the troops (which in the past un­ tion in the war. By these key-maps fortunately had all too often been any major battle may be related to found to be poorly designed, poorly the others in time and space. constructed, and lacking provision With each architect, an American for maintenance) was expressly for­ landscape architect, an American bidden by the military services. The sculptor, and an American muralisl permanent graphic record takes the or painter usually collaborated.

20 Maps on Chapel Walls. Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre. Belgium

Their combined talents produced entered the military service. the beauty and dignity of the memo­ In the World War I cemeteries, rials, till of which are dedicated to headstones of the Unknowns, i.e., the memory of the achievements of those remains which could not be those who served and of the sacri­ identified, bear the inscription: fices of those who died. The con­ struction of the cemeteries and me­ HERE RESTS IN HONORED GI.ORY AN morials, and the execution of most AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO of the works of art, were performed GOD. by local contractors and artists un­ In the World War II cemeteries, the der the supervision of the Commis­ inscription reads: sion. At each cemetery there is a visi­ HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A tors' building or room, with com­ COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO fortable furnishings. Here visitors GOD. may learn the grave locations (or inscriptions of the Missing) at any Tablets of the Missing (which of the overseas cemeteries. also include the names of those Each grave in the overseas ceme­ whose remains could not be identi­ teries is marked by a headstone of fied, and those lost and buried at white marble—a Star of David for sea) give name, rank, organization, those of Jewish faith, a Latin cross and Stale; the circumstances under for all others. Each headstone bears which death occurred usually pre­ the deceased's name, rank, service, cluded the possibility of determining organization, date of death, and the exact date. State or Territory from which he These cemeteries are open every

21 homage to our military Dead on ceremonial occasions. Accordingly, 24 Unknown Dead of World War II were buried in this World War I cemetery, and two loggias were added to its chapel by the Commis­ sion, thereby converting it into a shrine commemorating our Dead of both wars.

EAST COAST MEMORIAL To commemorate those 4,596 Ameri­ cans who, in or above the waters off the east coast of North and South America, gave their lives in the serv­ ice of their country, the Commission erected a memorial in Battery Park, New York City, upon which their names and particulars are inscribed.

The Buddy Statue, Sicily-Rome WEST COAST MEMORIAL American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy Similarly, the names and particulars of those 412 Americans who gave their day of the year. Photography is per­ lives in the service of their country mitted without special authoriza­ off the west coasts of the Americas tion, except when it is to he used are recorded at the memorial erected for commercial purposes—in such by the Commission at the Presidio of cases, permission must be obtained San Francisco. from the Commission's local office. Unlike National cemeteries under HONOLULU MEMORIAL jurisdiction of the Department of the Army, there can be no further Although the National Memorial burials in the American military Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu cemeteries overseas except of those is administered by the Veterans remains which may, in the future, Administration, the American Battle be found on the battlefields. Essen­ Monuments Commission, by agree­ tially, these grates with their me­ ment with the Secretary of the morials constitute inviolable shrines. Army, constructed a memorial there­ In addition to the eight World in, incorporating the features of the War I cemeteries, the 11 World War memorials in its overseas cemeteries. II cemeteries, II World War I The names of 18,093 Missing of monuments and two tablets, the World War II who gave their lives American Battle Monuments Com­ in the Pacific areas, except the mission program of commemoration Southwest and the Palau Islands includes the following: which are commemorated at the Manila Cemetery Memorial, are re­ corded here as well as the 8,194 SURESNES Missing of the Korean conflict. Two additional courts are currently being At the Suresnes Cemetery Memorial, constructed to honor by name the 2,489 senior representatives of the French Missing from the Vietnam War. They and United States Governments pay should be completed in the fall of 1978.

11 Honolulu Memorial (WW II & Korea) National Memorial Cemetery of the Paei/ie. Honolulu, Hawaii

DISTINGUISHED mass grave in this cemetery are in­ MILITARY ACTIONS terred the remains of 750 of our COMMEMORATIVE unidentified Dead of the War of PROGRAM 1847.

The Commission's memorialization FLORAL DECORATIONS program includes the erection of In the overseas cemeteries, the deco­ other monuments or commemora­ ration of graves or the Tablets of tive tablets at places of outstanding the Missing with natural cut flowers military significance around the only is permitted. The Commission world during World War II and the is always ready to help arrange with Korean War. Among these, plans local florists in foreign countries for have been prepared for monuments placement of such decorations. Re­ on Guam, and at Utah Beach in quests should be mailed so as to ar­ France. The objective is to achieve rive at the appropriate Commission balanced commemoration of all serv­ office at least thirty days before the ices in all theaters. date of decoration and should be ac­ companied by check or U. S. Postal MEXICO CITY Money Order in dollars. Deposits may NATIONAL CEMETERY be made for a single decoration on a particular day—birthday, Memorial The Mexico City National Ceme­ Day, Christmas Day, for example?— tery. 31 Gal/ada Melchor Ocampo, or for several decorations on parti­ Mexico City, Mexico, was trans­ cular dates within a year or over ferred from administration by the a period of years. Checks should be Department of the Army to the made payable to "ABMC Flower Fund," Commission on July 16, 1947. In a

23 money orders to "The American Orders for flowers for till ceme­ Battle Monuments Commission." teries may also be placed through Requests should be addressed to the any local florist who is a member of Commission's European office, ex­ the "Florists Telegraph Delivery As­ cept in the case of Florence, Sicily- sociation." In such cases, the name Rome, and North Africa cemeteries, of the deceased, his rank, service where the Mediterranean office is re­ number, name of the cemetery, coun­ sponsible and Manila cemetery, try in which located, and the loca­ where the Philippine office is respon­ tion by plot, row, and grave should sible. be provided, if known.

24 Decorated Gravesite of an "Unknown".

25 PHOTOGRAPHS ographs should be addressed to the Commission's Washington Office. The Commission will furnish close rela­ tives of the Dead buried or commemo­ rated in the World War I and II ceme­ ADDITIONAL tery memorials overseas with a color INFORMATION lithograph of the cemetery together Further information regarding ceme­ with a black and white photograph of teries and memorials may be ob­ the particular grave or of the section of tained at the Commission's offices in the Tablets of the Missing where the Washington, Garches (near Paris), particular individual's name appears. Rome, or Manila. Visitors passing For the Honolulu, East Coast and West through these cities are invited to Coast Memorials, the Commission will call. The Commission's representa­ supply a lithographed picture of the tives there may be of assistance in memorial itself and a black and white verifying travel routes and schedules photograph of the appropriate section and also in furnishing information of the list of the Missing. Photographs concerning overnight accommoda­ of graves in the National Memorial tions. These offices are not open on Cemetery of the Pacific (in Honolulu) Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, but are not available through the Commis­ essential information may be ob­ sion. tained overseas through our Embas­ Requests for photographs and lith­ sy 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 information about the accommodations that may be available in the vicinity; escort service within the cemetery memorial for relatives; letters authorizing fee-free pass­ ports 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 appropriate headstone or section of the Tablets of the Missing photographs are affixed; and arrangements for floral decoration of grave and memorial sites.

26 THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS MARCH 1923

Membership

Mark W. Clark Richard J. Vander Plaat Chairman Leslie M. Fry Charles E. Potter Fred C. Bramlage Vice Chairman Gerhard D. Bleicken Alfred P. Chamie William C. Garrison Harvey A. Roffman Harold A. Horn William G. Bray

A. J. Adams, Secretary

UNITED STATES OFFICE MEDITERRANEAN OFFICE Room 4C014, Forrestal Building Street Address: 1000 Independence Ave., SW American Embassy, Washington, D.C. 20314 Via Veneto 119a Telephone: 693-6067 Rome, Italy 693-6089 Mailing Address: Telegrams: Monuments APO New York 09794 Washington Telephone: 467 I, Ext. 156 475-0157 Telegrams: ABMC AMEMBASSY EUROPEAN OFFICE Rome, Italy

Street Address: PHILIPPINE OFFICE 68, rue du 19 Janvier 92 - Garches, France Street Address: Mailing Address: American Military Cemetery Manila, R. P. APO New York 09777 Mailing Address: Telephone: 701-1976 APO San Francisco 96528 Telegrams: ABMC AMEMBASSY Telephone: Manila 88-02-12 Paris, Telegrams: AMBAMCOM, France Manila, R.P.

r Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France 28