^Xpmal ^American Cemetery unit Memorial

The American Battle Monuments Commission 1982 10

Interior of Chapel - East End of the Memorial (Cemeterp

^Memorial

LOCATION also takes about 5 hours. Adequate hotel accommodations and taxi ser­ The Epinal American Cemetery and vice to the cemetery may be found in Memorial is situated 4 miles/6.5 Vittel (30 miles/48 kilometers), kilometers south of Epinal, Vosges, Plombieres (22 miles/35 kilometers) France on Highway N-57, the main and Epinal (4 miles/6.5 kilometers). route between Nancy and Belfort. It can be reached by automobile from HOURS Paris (231 miles/372 kilometers) in The cemetery is open daily to the about five hours via Porte Pantin to public as follows: Autoroute A-4, eastward to the SUMMER (16 March - 30 September) Nancy exit, then southward on 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. — weekdays N-57, to the entrance road leading to 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. — Saturdays, the cemetery. Sundays, and Holidays Rail service to Epinal is available WINTER (1 October-15 March) from the Gare de TEst in Paris via 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — weekdays Nancy, where it may be necessary to 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Saturdays, change trains. The journey by train Sundays, and Holidays

Entry Roatl to Cemetery 3 Aerial View of Cemetery

When the cemetery is open to the Cavalaire to Agay and thrust rapidly public, a staff member is on duty in inland. As advancing VI Corps the Visitors' Building to answer troops of the U.S. Seventh Army questions and to escort relatives to pursued the enemy, French units grave and memorial sites, except be­ landed and moved westward to­ tween noon and 3:00 p.m. on ward Toulon and Marseilles. Within weekends and holidays. two weeks both ports had been lib­ erated and U.S. forces had advanced HISTORY northward up the Rhone Valley to seize Montelimar, cutting off large On 15 August 1944, just a little over numbers of the retreating enemy. two months after the landings in Normandy, Allied Forces launched In less than one month, U.S. an amphibious assault to free south­ troops from southern France had ern France. Air bombardment in advanced 400 miles and made con­ preparation for the landings began tact with those from Normandy on in July and grew steadily in inten­ 11 September 1944 at Sombernon, sity. Preceded by Allied assault west of Dijon. Ten days later, when groups and U. S. airborne and glider these forces had joined in strength troops, under cover of heavy Naval near Epinal, a solid line was estab­ and aerial bombardment, the 3d, lished extending to the Swiss fron­ 36th and 45th Divisions of the U.S. tier. Progress in the next three VI Corps landed on beaches in months was slow and fighting bitter, southern France from Cape as opposition stiffened. Neverthe-

4 Location of Cemetery Features less, Allied Forces continued their across the Rhine and an offensive advance to the Siegfried Line and from the Colmar Pocket toward westward to the Rhine River where Strasbourg. After furious struggles our troops held the west bank except in bitterly cold weather, all of these for an area between Strasbourg and attacks were halted. Quickly, the Mulhouse known as the "Colmar American and French troops joined Pocket." forces to eliminate the enemy army The enemy launched his final in the Colmar Pocket; their mission major counteroffensive of the war on was successfully completed by 9 16 December 1944. Officially desig­ February 1945. The U.S. Seventh nated the Ardennes-Alsace Cam­ Army thereupon undertook a pro­ paign, it was popularly known as the gressive assault against the Siegfried "Battleof the Bulge." The U.S. Third Line to the north, while the U.S. Army to the north moved quickly to Third Army continued to assault the counter the threat. This required the Line and the enemy's flanks and 6th Army group in the south, con­ rear. Soon, the Siegfried Line was sisting of the U. S. Seventh and the broken and the remaining enemy French First Armies, to extend its units cleared from the west bank of lines northward to cover a much the Rhine. longer front. Against this line, the The final offensive of the U.S. enemy launched the second half of Seventh Army began in late March his planned counteroffensive on when it crossed the Rhine near New Year's eve by driving for the Worms and seized Mannheim. Saverne Gap in the Vosges Moun­ Promptly, the French First Army tains and following with an attack crossed behind it and took

5 South Facade of Memorial

Karlsruhe. Preceded by aircraft that cemetery site. After the war, when constantly harassed and de­ the temporary burial grounds were moralized the enemy, Allied Forces being disestablished by the Ameri­ swept throughout Germany. As the can Graves Registration Service French captured Stuttgart and cut (AGRS), the remains of American off escape into Switzerland, the U.S. military Dead whose next of kin di­ Seventh Army fought through rected permanent interment on Nurnberg, took Munich, then drove foreign soil were moved by the through the Brenner Pass for its his­ AGRS to a permanent site, usually toric meeting with the U.S. Fifth the one closest to the temporary bu­ Army on 4 May 1945 at Vipiteno, rial location. They were then in­ Italy. terred by the AGRS in the distinctive grave patterns proposed by the SITE cemetery's architect and approved The Epinal American Cemetery and by the Commission. Free use of the Memorial, 48 acres in extent, is Epinal site as a permanent American situated on a plateau in the foothills military cemetery was granted by of the Vosges Mountains, 100 feet the French government in per­ above and overlooking the Moselle petuity without charge or taxation. River. It is one of fourteen perma­ Included in the site is a right of way nent World War II American military approximately 500 meters in length cemeteries erected on foreign soil by leading from Highway N-57 to the the American Battle Monuments main gate of the cemetery. The 5,255 Commission. The site was liberated American military Dead buried in on 21 September 1944 by the U.S. the Epinal American Cemetery lost 45th Infantry Division and a tempo­ their lives in the fighting across cen­ rary military burial ground was es­ tral France, the Rhone Valley, the tablished there fifteen days later. Vosges Mountains, the Rhine Valley Subsequently, the burial ground and Germany; they represent 42% was selected to be a permanent of the original burials in the region. 6 Design and construction of all with a U.S. Naval Task Force carry­ facilities at the permanent American ing two other Unknowns, one from military cemeteries on foreign soil the Pacific Theater of World War II were the responsibility of the Ameri­ and one from the Korean War. A can Battle Monuments Commission, similar ceremony to the one held at i.e., the memorial, the chapel, the the Epinal American Cemetery was visitors' building, superintendent's conducted by the Commander of the quarters, paths, roads, walls and Naval Task Force to determine service facilities. It was also respon­ which of the World War II Un­ sible for the sculpture, landscaping knowns would represent both the and other improvements on the site. Atlantic and Pacific theaters of that Construction of the permanent war. After the selection was made, cemetery at Epinal was completed in the Task Force proceeded to Wash­ the spring of 1956 and the cemetery ington, D.C. where, on Memorial and its memorial were dedicated on Day 1958, the World War II and the 23 July 1956. Korean War Unknowns joined the On the morning of 12 May 1958,13 Unknown soldier of World War I in caskets draped with American flags Arlington National Cemetery at the were placed side by side under a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. canopy at the north end of the ARCHITECTS memorial in the cemetery. Each cas­ ket contained one Unknown ser­ Architects for the cemetery memo­ viceman from each of the thirteen rial were Delano and Aldrich of New permanent American military York City. The landscape architect cemeteries established in the Atlan­ was Homer L. Fry of Austin, Texas. tic theaters of World War II. As soon as the caskets were in place, an GENERAL LAYOUT honor guard took a position at atten­ Six kilometers south of Epinal, a tion about the canopy. When the in­ winding road 0.5 of a kilometer in vited dignitaries had arrived, Gen­ length leads from the east side of eral Edward J. O'Neill, Command­ Highway N-57 to the main gate of ing General of the United States the cemetery. Marking entry to the Army Communications Zone, road on the right is a rectangular Europe, walked slowly past the thir­ stone on which is carved the U.S. teen caskets, returned to the front of Great Seal above the words "Epinal the canopy, picked up a wreath and American Cemetery and Memorial." proceeded to the fifth casket from Marking entry to the road on the left the east and placed the wreath upon is a low curved wall on which the it. He then drew himself to attention name of the cemetery also is carved. and saluted as taps were played. The About 90 meters inside the main simple ceremony of selection termi­ gate, a crossing road leads north nated with the band playing "Mise­ (left) to the superintendent's quar­ rere," as the pall bearers carried the ters and south (right) to the assistant Unknown selected by General superintendent's quarters and the O'Neill behind an honor guard to a service area. The Visitors' Building is waiting hearse. The hearse, under about 300 meters inside the main escort, proceeded to Toul-Rosiers gate on the south (right) side of the Air Base in France where the Un­ entry road where the road forms an known was flown to Naples, Italy elliptical drive. Visitor parking is and loaded aboard the destroyer available just before and beyond the USS Blandy. As soon as loading was elliptical drive. A stone pathway completed, the USS Blandy departed leads northward from the Visitors' Naples to rendezvous in the Atlantic Building across the drive to the

7 Crusade in Europe - South Facade of Memorial

Court of Honor. In the center of the Engraved on the walls enclosing the court under a single roof are the court are the names of 424 Missing in museum and chapel. Enclosing the Action in the region: court are low walls engraved with United States Army the names of the Missing in Action in and Army Air Force 419 the region. The Court of Honor sits United States Navy 5 at the south end of a wide grassy These Missing lost their lives in the mall flanked by trees separating the service of their country, but their graves area into two plots. A 75'flag­ remains were not recovered, or if re­ pole stands at the opposite (north) covered, not identified. They repre­ end of the grassy mall. Located in sent every State of the Union (and the northeast and northwest por­ the District of Columbia) except tions of the graves area are small cir­ Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Neveda, cular cul-de-sacs with benches and North Dakota, Rhode Island, Ver­ fountains. Like the Court of Honor, mont and Wyoming. The following the graves area is enclosed by a stone inscriptions appear in English and wall. French on the walls above their names: COURT OF HONOR HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE The Court of Honor is rectangular in SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND WHO SLEEP shape. It is enclosed by low walls of IN UNKNOWN GRAVES. Rocheret, a hard limestone from the IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE Jura Mountains of eastern France. WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II " 1941 - 1945.

8 Resurrection - South Facade of Memorial

THIS IS THEIR MEMORIAL - THE WHOLE on the western end of the south face EARTH THEIR SEPULCHRE. depicts the Crusade in Europe. It is a composition of United States mili­ MEMORIAL STRUCTURE tary forces advancing on the enemy and consists of infantry, tanks, artil­ A rectangular memorial, consisting lery, antiaircraft guns, paratroopers, of a chapel on the east end and a grenade throwers, signalmen and museum room on the west end sepa­ search lights with a large eagle over­ rated by an open but covered por­ head to symbolize U.S. Army Air tico, stands in the center of the court. Forces. The carving on the eastern The overall structure is 81 feet long, end of the south face depicts Survi­ 35 feet wide and 36 feet high. The val of the Spirit. In it, a kneeling walls of the structure like those en­ figure of a sorrowing woman — hu­ closing the court are of Rocheret manity — in the center of the carving limestone. The floor of the portico is comforts a dying soldier, while the patterned with Rocheret and Roc souls of two brave young men who Argente' another French limestone have preceded him in death are from the Jura region. raised upward by an angel on rays of light, as their earthly bodies remain EXTERIOR behind under a Latin Cross or Star of The south face of the memorial con­ David headstone. In the upper left tains two large bas-relief carvings portion of the carving, an angel pre­ designed and sculpted by Malvina cedes them with a torch to light their Hoffman of New York. The carving way and two angels in the upper

4 Teakwood Pav, South End of Chapel

right portion herald their approach north face, but without the inscrip­ with trumpets. Carved on the attic tion from Exodus. above the south face of the memorial are an eagle, also the work of Miss INTERIOR Hoffman, and the following inscrip­ Within the portico and over the en­ tion from Exodus XIX 4: i BARE YOU ON trance to the chapel in the eastern EAGLE WINGS AND BROUGHT YOU UNTO MY­ portion of the memorial is a roundel SELF. in the center of which is the Lamb of The frieze of the memorial bears God encircled by a Latin Cross, Tab­ the following inscriptions: (south lets of Moses and a Star of David. face) CITIZENS OF EVERY CALLING BRED IN Opposite it over the entrance to the THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN DEMOC­ museum to the west is a roundel on RACY « it (east face) DEFENDERS OF which appears the Great Seal of the CHALLENGED FREEDOMS * * (north United States. Both roundels were face) FROM NORMANDY AND PROVENCE — designed by Miss Hoffman. All carv­ TO ARDENNES LORRAINE AND ALSACE — BE­ ings on the exterior and interior of YOND THE RHINE it it and (west face) the memorial were executed by Jean CHAMPIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN. Juge of Paris. On the north face of the memorial appears the following dedicatory in­ INTERIOR-CHAPEL scription in English and French: The chapel at the east end of the 1941-1945 it it IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE OF memorial is entered from the portico THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HER SONS AND IN through bronze doors inset with rec­ HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THEIR SACRIFICES THIS tangular panes of glass. Directly in MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE front of the entrance doors against UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. the east wall of the chapel is a long The eagle by Miss Hoffman that teakwood planter. Above the appears on the exterior attic wall planter are three tall narrow win­ above the south face also appears on dows. The altar, flanked by circular the exterior attic wall above the planters of teak, is in an apse in the

10 Museum Wall Map (left section) north wall of the chapel to the left of SHALL NEVER PERISH. Inscribed in the the entrance door. The altar and the wall above the pew is: TAKE UNTO THY­ two plinths on which it rests are SELF O LORD THE SOULS OF THE VALOROUS Rouge Antique marble from south­ THAT THEY MAY DWELL IN GLORY. TWO ern France. On the wall above the roundels flank the inscription. The altar is a large sculpture of the Angel one on the left or to the east is of a of Peace designed by Miss Hoffman. Latin Cross; the one on the right is of Inscribed on the wall to the left of the the Tablets of Moses surmounted by Angel of Peace is: GIVE LIGHT TO THEM a Star of David. The walls of the THAT SIT IN DARKNESS; inscribed on the chapel are of Savonniere French wall to the right of the Angel of Peace limestone and the floor is of Com- is: AND GUIDE OUR FEET INTO THE WAY OF blanchien, another durable French PEACE. These inscriptions are from St. limestone from the Jura region. The Luke I 79. ceiling is of teakwood. Suspended Flanking the apse are two groups from the ceiling is a large hexagonal of flags. The group on the left con­ lamp of antique design with frosted sists of the U.S. Army flag of 1775, glass panels. the U.S. flag and the U.S. Marine Corps flag. The group on the right INTERIOR-MUSEUM consists of the U.S. Navy flag, the U.S. flag and the U.S. Air Force flag. The primary feature of the museum A teakwood pew rests against the room in the western portion of the south wall of the chapel to the right memorial is the large colored glass of the entrance door. Carved in the mosaic map depicting American and front of the pew, from St. John X 28, allied military operations from the is: I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE AND THEY landings in southern France on 15

II Museum Wall Map (center section)

August 1944 to the junction with France. The final victory is sym­ Allied Forces advancing from Nor­ bolized by the Angel of Victory with mandy on 11 September at Somber- laurel branch above the central altar non, near Dijon; and their sub­ group composed of trumpets, the sequent advances after turning American and French flags emerg­ eastward, crossing the Rhine and ing from the clouds of war, and the sweeping across Germany to meet outstretched hands of women who with the spearhead of the U.S. Fifth offer flowers as tribute to the victors. Army south of the Brenner Pass. The In the border of the map are the mosaic, 54 feet long and 14 feet high, insignia of the following military was designed and fabricated by units of division size or larger that Eugene Savage of Branford, Con­ participated in ground operations in necticut, utilizing data provided by the region: 6th Army Group and the American Battle Monuments 12th Army Group; Third Army and Commission. The map is laid out in Seventh Army; VI Corps, XV Corps, perspective as seen from the south; and XXI Corps; 3d, 4th, 28th, 35th, consequently, the lines of longitude 36th, 42d, 44th, 45th, 63d, 65th, and latitude are tilted to accommo­ 70th, 71st, 75th, 79th, 80th, 86th, date the map to the proportions of 87th, 90th, 94th, 99th, 100th and the room. Thus, north is toward the 103d Infantry Divisions; 6th, 10th, upper right instead of vertically up­ 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 20th Ar­ ward. Symbolically, the figures on mored Divisions; and the 101st Air­ the semi-circular wall depict the borne Division. Spirit of Columbia leading the The principal allied ground, naval Army, Navy, and Air Forces to the and air forces that were engaged in landings on the south coast of these operations are listed in panels

12 Museum Wall Map (right section)

at the ends of the mosaic. On the ADVANCING FROM NORMANDY. BY 21 SEP­ straight wall adjacent to the south TEMBER, NEAR EPINAL, THE TROOPS FROM end of the map is a description in THE MEDITERRANEAN, NOW ORGANIZED AS English, beneath the torch of Lib­ THE 6TH ARMY GROUP, HAD FORGED WITH erty, of these operations: THE U.S. THIRD ARMY OF THE 12TH ARMY ON 15 AUGUST 1944 THE ALLIED FORCES GROUP A SOLID FRONT WHICH ISOLATED ALL LAUNCHED THEIR CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST THE GERMAN UNITS REMAINING IN THE SOUTH NORMANDY OPERATION AND TO LIBERATE OF FRANCE. SOUTHERN FRANCE. AN OVERWHELMING AIR DURING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER THE EFFORT FORMED THE PRELUDE. PRECEDED BY ADVANCE CONTINUED AGAINST PERSISTENT ALLIED ASSAULT GROUPS AND AIRBORNE AND DESPERATE OPPOSITION REACHING THE TROOPS, THE VI CORPS OF THE U.S. SEVENTH RHINE AT STRASBOURG AND MULHOUSE; BE­ ARMY STORMED ASHORE UNDER COVER OF TWEEN THESE CITIES THE ENEMY CLUNG TO INTENSE BOMBARDMENT BY THE WESTERN AN AREA ABOUT COLMAR. ON 16 DECEMBER, NAVAL TASK FORCE. THE U.S. 3D, 36TH, AND IN THE ARDENNES, FARTHER TO THE NORTH, 45TH INFANTRY DIVISIONS PROMPTLY BROKE THE ENEMY LOOSED HIS LAST GREAT COUN- THROUGH THE STEEL AND CONCRETE BEACH TEROFFENSIVE OF THE WAR. THE U.S. THIRD FORTIFICATIONS, SUBDUED THE DEFENDERS, ARMY MOVED INSTANTLY TO MEET THE AND SURGED INLAND. THREAT, LEAVING THE 6TH ARMY GROUP TO SWIFTLY PURSUING THE DISINTEGRATING DEFEND THE ENTIRE FRONT FROM SAAR- ENEMY UNITS UP THE RHONE VALLEY THE BRUCKEN SOUTHWARD. ON NEW YEAR'S EVE U.S. SEVENTH ARMY FREED LYON WHILE THE THE GERMANS ATTACKED FROM BITCHE TO­ FRENCH FIRST ARMY REOCCUPIED MARSEILLE WARD SAVERNE, THEN FOLLOWED WITH ONE AND TOULON. IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH THRUST ACROSS THE RHINE NORTH OF THE ALLIES PUSHED 400 MILES TO JOIN STRASBOURG AND ANOTHER FROM THE HANDS AT SOMBERNON WITH THE FORCES COLMAR POCKET. AFTER A FURIOUS STRUG-

13 GLE IN BITTERLY COLD WEATHER THE AT­ veined marble. The floor is paved TACKERS WERE REPULSED. RESUMING ITS IN­ with Comblanchien limestone. ITIATIVE THE 6TH ARMY GROUP OVERRAN THE COLMAR POCKET EARLY IN FEBRUARY AFTER THREE WEEKS OF SUSTAINED COMBAT GRAVES AREA IN WHICH THE GERMAN NINETEENTH ARMY WAS ANNIHILATED AS A FIGHTING FORCE. Interred in the cemetery are 5,255 U.S. NAVAL FORCES TOGETHER WITH THE American military Dead of World ALLIED NAVIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN War II. Their 5,252 graves are set in PLAYED A VITAL ROLE BY SAFEGUARDING A two fanshaped plots separated by a CONTINUOUS FLOW OF TROOPS AND wide north/south mall lined with SUPPLIES AGAINST PERSISTENT SUBMARINE sycamore (Platenus orientalis) trees. AND AIR ATTACKS. ALLIED AIR FORCES GAVE Plot A lies west of the mall, plot B to THE GROUND ARMIES INDISPENSABLE the east. The servicemen and ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO AND THROUGHOUT women interred here died in the ser­ THE OPERATIONS. THE U.S. FIRST TACTICAL vice of their country. They came AIR FORCE PERFORMED MAGNIFICENTLY from every state of the Union except DURING CONSISTENTLY BAD WINTER Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of WEATHER. WHEN THE ALLIED ARMIES Columbia. Two graves hold the LAUNCHED THEIR FINAL ATTACK THE EFFECT commingled remains of two iden­ OF THE STRATEGIC AIR BOMBARDMENT OF tified Dead that could not be sepa­ GERMANY WAS TO BE REFLECTED IN THE rately identified. In 14 instances, two RAPID DESTRUCTION OF HER FIGHTING brothers lie side by side. Sixty-nine FORCES. graves hold the remains of American THE FINAL OFFENSIVE BEGAN IN MARCH. Dead that could not be identified PACED BY THE U.S. NINTH AIR FORCE AND (Unknowns). One of these graves THE FIRST TACTICAL AIR FORCE, WHOSE AT­ contains the remains of two com­ TACKS DISRUPTED COMMUNICATIONS AND rades in arms. DESTROYED GERMAN TROOPS AND SUPPLIES, Each grave is marked by a white THE U.S. THIRD AND SEVENTH ARMIES marble headstone, a Star of David CROSSED THE RHINE AND SWEPT ACROSS for those of the Jewish faith, a Latin GERMANY. WHILE THE FRENCH FIRST ARMY Cross for all others. The lines of CUT OFF THE ENEMY'S AVENUES OF ESCAPE white headstones against the back­ INTO SWITZERLAND, THE U.S. SEVENTH ground of green grass harmonize ARMY CAPTURED NURNBERG, SWUNG well with the memorial and the SOUTHWARD TO MUNICH AND SEIZED THE Court of Honor at the south end of BRENNER PASS. ITS JUNCTION ON 4 MAY WITH the mall. A 75 foot flagpole over­ THE U.S. FIFTH ARMY AT VIPITENO IN ITALY looks the graves area from the north MARKED THE COMPLETE DEFEAT OF THE NAZI end of the mall. Its circular bronze FORCES IN THIS MOUNTAIN REGION. base sits on a pedestal of Rocheret THE UNITY OF PURPOSE WHICH INSPIRED limestone which in turn rests on two ALL WHO SHARED IN THESE CAMPAIGNS circular plinths of Ampilly limestone WAS A DECISIVE FACTOR IN THEIR SUCCESS. from the Cote d'Or region. The base THEIR COURAGE AND THEIR DEVOTION TO plinth contains a thirteen-point star DUTY WERE UNSURPASSABLE. of Noir dTzeste from the Pyrenees. At the opposite end of the room is Two small cul-de-sacs with foun­ the French version of this inscrip­ tains are located in the graves area, tion. Beneath these inscriptions are one in the northeast corner and one two sets of key maps: The War in the northwest corner. The graves Against Germany and The War area itself is enclosed by a wall of Against Japan. granite from the local region with a The plinth below the map is of coping of Euville limestone from the Verte des Alpes and Italian green Verdun region.

14 Plot A of Graves Area

PLANTINGS the memorial to add color and den­ The paths near the perimeter wall of sity. Flanking the Memorial on the the graves area afford magnificent north side are two Cedars of Leba­ views of the Moselle Valley and its non as well as a large massif of wooded slopes. Immediately to the shrubbery. In the entrance court of south of the cemetery is a beautiful the cemetery are holly hedges (Ilex natural woodland of oak, spruce and aquifolium) and in the Court of beech on the hillside. Within the Honor are box hedges (Buxus sem- cemetery itself are several groups of pervirens) and Polyantha and Red English beech (Fagus sylvatica); syc­ Globe roses. Informal massifs of amores (planetrees — Platenus other plantings in the vicinity of the orientalis) line the paths of the Court of Honor contain barberry cemetery. Oriental cherry (Cerasus (Berberis thunbergii), flowering serulata), red bud (Cercis canaden- quince (Cydonis japonica), sia) and English hawthorne rhododendrons, azaleas, forsythia, (Crataegus oxycantha) were planted scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), in the edgesof the woods adjacent to cotoneaster and dwarf yew.

15 Wall of Court of Honor with Tablets of the Missing

Memorial from Plot B

16 Visitors' Room

Office and Visitors' Building

17 —

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

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

20 21 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), Suresnes, 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 Mis­ in the permanent military cemeteries sing 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 II Burials Missing Known Unknown Commemorated Ardennes, Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz) Belgium . 4,536 789 462 Brittanv, St. James, France 4,313 97 497 Cambridge, England 3,787 24 5,126 Epinal, France 5,186 69 424 Florence, Italy 4,189 213 1,409 Henri-Chapelle, Belgium 7,895 94 450 Lorraine, St. Avoid, France 10,338 151 444 Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 4,975 101 370 Manila, Republic of the Philippines 13,462 3,744 36,280 Netherlands, Margraten, Netherlands 8,195 106 1,722 Normandy, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France 9,079 307 1,557

22 North Africa, Carthage, Tunisia 2,601 240 3,724 Rhone, Draguignan, France 799 62 293 Sicily-Rome, Nettuno, Italy 7,372 490 3,094 Suresnes (See WW I also), Suresnes, France ... 24 East Coast Memorial, New York City, New York ...... 4,596 Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii ...... 18,094 West Coast Memorial, San Francisco, California . . . . •__ -j_ 412 Totals 86,727 6,511 78,954 World War II cemeteries maintained by the National Cemetery System, Veterans Administration Honolulu, Hawaii 11,505 2,028 (See Honolulu Memorial) Puerto Rico 69 Sitka, Alaska 67 5 Other Missing in Action Commemorated by ABMC Korean War, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii • ... 8,194 Vietnam War, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii • • • • • 2,489

In every case, use of the perma­ the development of the cemetery de­ nent cemetery sites on foreign soil signs. was granted in perpetuity by the Beginning in the latter half of 1949, host government to the United the permanent interments having States free of cost, rent, and taxa­ been virtually completed, the World tion. The temporary cemetery sites War II overseas cemeteries were not selected as permanent cemeter­ progressively transferred for con­ ies reverted to the landowners. struction and maintenance to the In 1947, an outstanding American American Battle Monuments Com­ architect was selected to design each mission by Presidential Executive of the World War II cemeteries, con­ Order. Thereupon the remaining ceiving its grave plots, a chapel, and portions of the architects' designs a museum as complementary ele­ were carried out, step by step — ments of an integral memorial to the grading; installation of a system of services and sacrifices of the Ameri­ reinforced concrete beams on piles can Armed Services who fought in to maintain the levels and align­ the particular region. Upon approval ments of the headstones; fabrication of their general schemes by the and installation of the headstones; Commission, and by agreement construction of water supply and with the Secretary of the Army, the distribution systems, utilities build­ architects' plans of the grave plots ings, roads and paths; plantings; were followed by the American and erection of the memorials, vis­ Graves Registration Service in mak­ itors' buildings, and flagpoles. ing the permanent burials of those For design of the various memo­ remains which by decision of the rials, no specific limitations were next of kin were to be interred over­ imposed upon the architects other seas. The timely cooperation be­ than budgeted cost and a require­ tween these two agencies contrib­ ment that each was to embody these uted appreciably to the coherence of features:

23 Memorial and Wall of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England

A small devotional chapel; permanent graphic record takes the inscription of the names and form of military maps, usually large particulars of the Missing in the murals, amplified by descriptive region; texts in English as well as in the lan­ a graphic record, in permanent guage of the country in which the form, of the services of our troops cemetery is located. The historical (WW II only; however, Oise- data for these maps were prepared Aisne, Meuse-Argonne and St. by the American Battle Monuments Mihiel WW I American Cemeter­ Commission. The maps themselves ies also have battle maps). were rendered by experienced ar­ These requirements have been in­ tists in tasteful presentation using terpreted in a wide and interesting various media: layered marbles, variety of forms. fresco, bronze relief, mosaic con­ An important motive for the con­ crete or ceramics. Another feature of struction of the memorials is the im­ interest at each memorial is the two plied undertaking by our Govern­ sets of "key-maps": "The War 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

24 Maps on Chapel Walls, Ardennes American Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium sculptor, and an American muralist the deceased's name, rank, service, or painter usually collaborated. organization, date of death, and Their combined talents produced state or territory from which he the beauty and dignity of the memo­ entered the military service. rials, all of which are dedicated to the In the World War I cemeteries, memory of the achievements of headstones of the Unknowns, i.e., those who served and of the sac­ those remains which could not be rifices of those who died. The con­ identified, bear the inscription: struction of the cemeteries and memorials, and the execution of HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERI­ most of the works of art, were per­ CAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD. formed by local contractors and ar­ In the World War II cemeteries, the tists under the supervision of the inscription reads: Commission. HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE At each cemetery there is a vis­ IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD. itors' building or room, with com­ fortable furnishings. Here visitors Tablets of the Missing (which also may learn the grave locations (or in­ include the names of those whose scriptions of the Missing) at any of remains could not be identified, and the oversea cemeteries. those lost and buried at sea) give Each grave in the oversea name, rank, organization, and state; cemeteries is marked by a headstone the circumstances under which of white marble—a Star of David for death occurred usually precluded those of Jewish faith, a Latin cross the possibility of determining the for all others. Each headstone bears exact date. 25 World War I cemetery, and two log­ gias were added to its chapel by the Commission, thereby converting it into a shrine commemorating our Dead of both wars.

EAST COAST MEMORIAL To commemorate those 4,596 Americans who, in or above the waters off the east coast of North and South America, but outside the ter­ ritorial limits of the United States, gave their lives in the service 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 These cemeteries are open every of those 412 Americans who gave day of the year. Photography is their lives in the service of their permitted without special authoriza­ country off the west coast of the tion, except when it is to be used for Americas but outside the territorial commercial purposes—in such limits of the United States, are re­ cases, permission must be obtained corded at the memorial erected by from the Commission's local office. the Commission at the Presidio of Unlike National cemeteries under San Francisco. jurisdiction of the Veterans Ad­ ministration, there can be no further HONOLULU MEMORIAL burials in the American military Although the National Memorial cemeteries overseas except of those Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu remains which may, in the future, be is administered by the Veterans found on the battlefields. Essen­ Administration, the American Battle tially, these graves with their memo­ Monuments Commission con­ rials constitute inviolable shrines. structed a memorial therein, incor­ In addition to the eight World War porating the features of the memo­ I cemeteries, the 14 World War II rials in its oversea cemeteries. The cemeteries, 11 World War I monu­ names of 18,094 Missing of World ments and two tablets, the American War II who gave their lives in the Battle Monuments Commission Pacific areas (except the Southwest program of commemoration in­ and the Palau Islands which are cludes the following: commemorated at the Manila Cemetery Memorial) are recorded SURESNES here as well as 8,194 missing of the At the Suresnes Cemetery Memo­ Korean War and 2,489 Missing of the rial, senior representatives of the Vietnam War. French and United States Govern­ ments pay homage to our military POINTE DU HOC MONUMENT Dead on ceremonial occasions. Ac­ Following World War II, the French cordingly, 24 Unknown Dead of erected a monument at Pointe du World War II were buried in this Hoc overlooking the right flank of

26 Honolulu Memorial (WW II, Korea & Vietnam) National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii

Omaha Beach, France honoring the in wall crypts. Care of the cemetery elements of the 2nd Ranger Battalion was transferred from the Depart­ under the command of LTC James ment of the Army to this Commis­ Rudder who scaled the cliff, seized sion on July 16, 1947. This cemetery the position, and defended it against was closed to burials in 1923. German counter-attacks at a high cost of lives. The monument consists of a simple pylon on top of a concrete COROZAL AMERICAN bunker at the edge of the cliff and CEMETERY, COROZAL, appropriate inscriptions at its base in REPUBLIC OF PANAMA French and English. It was officially turned over to the American gov­ The Corozal American Cemetery is ernment for operation and mainte­ located approximately three miles nance in perpetuity on January 11, north of Panama City, just off Gail- 1979. lard Highway between the Corozal Railroad Station and Fort Clayton. MEXICO CITY To reach the cemetery, follow Gail- NATIONAL CEMETERY lard Highway north from Panama City, turn right on Rybicki Road, and The Mexico City National Cemetery proceed about one-half mile to the is at 31 Calzada Melchor Ocampo, cemetery. Taxi and bus service to the about 2 miles west of the cathedral cemetery are available from Panama and about one mile north of the U.S. City. There are 4,848 identified Embassy. This cemetery was estab­ "Known" Dead interred here. In lished in 1851 and contains a small agreement with the Republic of monument over the grave of 750 of Panama, care and maintenance of our unidentified Dead of the War of the cemetery in perpetuity was as­ 1847. In this one acre area there are sumed by the Commission on Oc­ 813 remains of Americans and others tober 1, 1979. 27 FLORAL DECORATIONS date of decoration and should be ac­ companied by check or U. S. Postal In the overseas cemeteries, the deco­ Money Order in dollars. Deposits ration of graves and the Tablets of the may be made for a single decoration Missing with natural cut flowers on a particular day—birthday, only is permitted. The Commission Memorial Day, Christmas Day, for is always ready to help arrange with example—or for several decorations local florists in foreign countries for on particular dates within a year or placement of such decorations. Re­ over a period of years. Checks quests should be mailed so as to ar­ should be made payable to "ABMC rive at the appropriate Commission Flower Fund," money orders to office at least thirty days before the "The American Battle Monuments

2H Commission." Requests should be lithographed picture of the memo­ addressed to the Commission's rial itself and a black and white European office, except in the case of photograph of the appropriate sec­ Florence, Sicily-Rome, and North tion of the list of the Missing. Photo­ Africa cemeteries, where the graphs of graves in the National Mediterranean office is responsible Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (in and Manila cemetery, where the Honolulu) are not available through Philippine office is responsible. the Commission. Orders for flowers for all Requests for photographs and cemeteries may also be placed lithographs should be addressed to through any local florist who is a the Commission's Washington Of­ member of the "Florists Telegraph fice. Delivery Association." In such cases, the name of the deceased, his rank, service number, name of the ADDITIONAL cemetery, country in which located, INFORMATION and the location by plot, row, and grave should be provided, if known. Further information regarding cemeteries and memorials may be obtained at the Commission's offices PHOTOGRAPHS in Washington, Garches (near The Commission will furnish close Paris), Rome, or Manila. Visitors relatives of the Dead buried or com­ passing through these cities are in­ memorated in the World War I and II vited to call. The Commission's rep­ cemetery memorials overseas with a resentatives there may be of assist­ color lithograph of the cemetery to­ ance in verifying travel routes and gether with a black and white schedules and also in furnishing in­ photograph of the particular grave formation concerning overnight ac­ or the section of the Tablets of the commodations. These offices are not Missing where the individual's open on Saturdays, Sundays, or name appears. For the Honolulu, holidays, but essential information East Coast and West Coast Memo­ may be obtained overseas through rials, the Commission will supply a 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.

24 Decorated Gravesite of an "Unknown" THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS MARCH 1923

Membership

Mark W. Clark Armistead J. Maupin Chairman Francis J. Bagnell John C. McDonald Kitty B. Bradley Freda J. Poundstone Aubrey O. Cookman Edwin Bliss Wheeler Rexford C. Early Lawrence A. Wright William E. Hickey 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 Via Veneto 119a Telephone: (202) 272-0533 Rome, Italy 272-0534 Mailing Address: Telegrams: Monuments APO New York 09794 Washington Telephone: 4674, 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 APO New York 09777 Manila, R. P. Telephone: 701-1976 Mailing Address: Telegrams: ABMC AMEMBASSY APO San Francisco 96528 Paris, Telephone: Manila 88-02-12 France Telegrams: AMBAMCOM, Manila, R.P.

31 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France