The American Battle Monuments Commission

1983 Apse in Chapel •American (Eemeierg nnb JHemartal

LOCATION by automobile from Paris via au- The Aisne-Marne American Ceme­ toroute A-3 east by taking the tery and Memorial is located 6.5 Montreuil-aux-Lyons exit and fol­ miles/10.5 kilometers northwest of lowing the cemetery signs to Lucy- Chateau-Thierry, just southwest of le-Bocage and proceeding through the village of Belleau, Aisne, France. Belleau Woods to the entrance to the Travel by train from the Gare de l'Est cemetery. The distance from Paris to in Paris to Chateau-Thierry takes the cemetery by automobile is ap­ about one hour. Taxi service to the proximately 50 miles/80 kilometers. cemetery is available at the Hotel accommodations are available Chateau-Thierry railroad station. in the cities of Chateau-Thierry, The cemetery may also be reached Meaux, Soissons and Reims.

Entrance to the Cemetery

3 HOURS their efforts, as they not only learned the line of attack, but the exact day The cemetery is open daily to the and hour that the German offensive public as shown below: was scheduled to commence. SUMMER (16 March - 30 September) 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. — weekdays On 15 July, the date of the German 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. — Saturdays, offensive, there were 26 American Sundays, and holidays divisions in France, of which 12 were WINTER (1 October - 15 March) available for combat. Because of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — weekdays their large size, 12 American divi­ 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Saturdays, sions were equivalent in fire power Sundays, and holidays to 24 French, British or German divi­ When the cemetery is open to the sions. With so many fresh American public, a staff member is on duty in troops available and knowing that the Visitors' building to answer soon there would be more, Marshal questions and to escort relatives to Foch, the Allied Commander, incor­ grave and memorial sites (except be­ porated an attack by U.S. troops on tween the hours of noon and 3:00 the western face of the Aisne-Marne p.m. on weekends and holidays). salient in his counterattack plans, as it was considered the most vulnera­ ble part of the German lines. Shortly HISTORY before the German attack was On the morning of 27 May 1918, the scheduled to begin, the Allies re­ Germans attacked in force on the duced the manning of their front Aisne front between Berry-au-Bac lines to weak detachments with or­ and Anizy-le-Chateau. Reserves ders for them to retire under heavy were rushed there by the Allies from bombardment. This tactic proved every quarter. The French were able exceptionally successful as the Ger­ to stem the onslaught with the help mans wasted much of their prepara­ of American troops, but only after a tory fire on newly abandoned posi­ large salient had been driven into tions. Allied lines roughly defined by the To capitalize further on knowing triangle of Reims, Chateau-Thierry the exact hour that the Germans and Soissons. On 9 June, two Ger­ were to attack, the Allies began man armies attacked from the salient bombarding the German assembly toward Compiegne in an attempt to areas for the planned offensive 30 widen it and secure use of the rail­ minutes before the preparatory fire road from Compiegne to Soissons; by the Germans was scheduled to the attack was unsuccessful. begin. This caused much confusion The Germans then began prepara­ in the assault forces, and they took tions for a major offensive on either many casualties. Two days later, side of Reims in the general direction after sustaining heavy losses, the of Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne. Germans halted their offensive Its objective was the capture of without attaining the important re­ Reims and the high ground south of sults they had expected to achieve. it to obtain use of an additional trunk The following day, 18 July, the Al­ line railroad. Three German armies lies launched their counterattack totaling 47 divisions and a large against the western face of the quantity of artillery were assembled Aisne-Marne salient. Although the for the offensive. Meanwhile, the Al­ Germans resisted stubbornly, they lies were doing everything they quickly realized that their position could to discover when and where was untenable and began a gradual the next offensive would take place. withdrawal from the salient. Reduc­ They were completely successful in tion of the Aisne-Marne salient be-

4 Location of Cemetery Features came a fact on 4 August, when Allied SITE troops reached the south bank of the Vesle. On 6 August, the counterat­ The Aisne-Marne Cemetery Memo­ tack was officially terminated. Not rial, 42.5 acres in extent, is situated at only had a serious threat to Paris the foot of the hill on which stands been removed, but important rail­ Belleau Wood where many of those roads were freed once again for Al­ buried in the cemetery lost their lied use. Marshal Petain, who drew lives. During World War I, it was one up the Allied plans for meeting the of the temporary wartime cemeteries German offensive, said that the established by the Army's Graves counterattack could not have suc­ Registration Service, and was ceeded without American troops. known as the American Expedition­ During the fighting, the church in ary Forces' Cemetery No. 1764- the village of Belleau was destroyed Belleau Wood. A photograph of the by American artillery fire. It was re­ temporary cemetery hangs in the stored after the war by a veterans' superintendent's office in the Vis­ association of the 26th Division. Lo­ itors'building. In 1921, Congress au­ cated opposite the entrance of the thorized retention of the cemetery as Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, it one of eight permanent World War I is still known as the 26th Division military cemeteries on foreign soil. Memorial Church of Belleau. The following year an agreement

5 Superintendent's Quarters and Visitors' Building on Entrance Road was signed with the Government of GENERAL LAYOUT France granting its use as a military cemetery in perpetuity free of charge The cemetery is laid out generally in or taxation. The permanent ceme­ the form of a "T." A long avenue leads from the entrance gate past the tery is named for the World War I Visitors' building and parking area campaign area in which it is located. on the right (west) and the superin­ The memorial chapel, the Visitors' tendent's quarters opposite on the building, the superintendent's quar­ left to the mall and the memorial ters, and the service area facilities chapel beyond. The chapel which were constructed by the American crowns the "T" sits on high ground Battle Monuments Commission as to the south. The cross bar of the "T" part of its program of commemorat­ is formed by the cemetery's two ing the achievements of U.S. Armed grave plots, each projecting in a Forces in the Great War. The Com­ slightly convex arc from opposite mission also landscaped the sides of the mall. A flag pole, cen­ grounds. In 1934, The President, by tered on each side of the mall, over­ Executive Order, gave the Commis­ looks each grave plot. sion the added responsibility of operating and maintaining this and other permanent military cemeteries MEMORIAL CHAPEL overseas. The memorial chapel was erected ARCHITECTS over front line trenches dug by the 2nd Division as part of the defense of Cram and Ferguson of Boston, Mas­ Belleau Wood, following capture of sachusetts were the architects of the Belleau Wood by the division on 25 cemetery's memorial features. June 1918. Rising more than 80 feet

6 Memorial Chapel 7 above the hillside overlooking the cal units, airplane engines for Avia­ cemetery, the chapel is a striking tion repair units, a mule's head over example of French Romanesque ar­ which is engraved "8 Chev" for the chitecture. Its exterior walls, steps French boxcar used to transport 40 and terrace are of native St. Maxi- men or 8 horses, and oak leaves for min, Savonnieres and Massangis the Judge Advocate General Corps. limestone. Seven of these carvings appear on The decorative embellishments on each side of the chapel. On the north the outside of the chapel were de­ face are a mule's head, bayonets, signed by William F. Ross and Com­ plane-table, crossed machine guns, pany, East Cambridge, Mas­ Greek cross and caduceus, airplane sachusetts and were executed by engines and cannon; on the east face Alfred Bottiau, Paris, France. The are artillery rounds, mule's head, carvings on the captials of the three bayonets, oak leaves, Greek cross columns which flank each side of the and caduceus, cannon, propellers chapel entrance depict scenes from and tanks; on the south face are a the trenches of World War I. Carved plane-table, crossed machine guns, on the columns on the right side are oak leaves, Greek cross and soldiers preparing for a bayonet caduceus, cannon, propellers and charge, automatic riflemen and tanks; on the west face are artillery riflemen; carved on the columns on rounds, bayonets, plane-table, air­ the left are artillery observers, a plane engines, cannon, propellers machine gun crew and soldiers and tanks. The arches of the belfry launching grenades. In the tym­ openings are embellished with carv­ panum over the entrance is carved ings of small arms ammunition, the the figure of a crusader in armor, front view of a machine gun and defender of right, flanked by the projectile, field packs with entrench­ shields of the United States and ing tools attached, and selected of­ France intertwined with branches of ficer and enlisted insignia. Engraved oak to symbolize the traditional on the sills are orientation arrows unity of the two countries. Around with distances to points of historic the top of the chapel on stone shields interest. Below the belfry openings are carved the insignia of American are sculptured heads representing corps and divisions which fought in the men and women of the Allied the area and the U.S. coat of arms. armed forces in World War I as fol­ On the north face are the insignia of I lows: a French soldier, a French Corps, the U.S. coat of arms and III nurse, an American aviator, a Scot­ Corps; on the west face are the in­ tish soldier, a Russian soldier, a Por­ signia of the 1st, 2d and 3d Divisions; tuguese soldier, a Canadian aviator, on the south face those of the 4th, and a British Women's Army Corps 26th and 28th Divisions; and on the driver. The same figures appear on east face those of the 32d, 42d and each side of the chapel but in dif­ 77th Divisions. Decorative embel­ ferent order. lishments are also carved on the cap­ To the right of the chapel entrance itals of the belfry columns. The fol­ is a hole in the stonework made in lowing eleven carvings appear: 1940 by a German anti-tank gun bayonets for the Infantry, cannon for which was firing at French tanks the Artillery, tanks for the Tank passing in the vicinity of the ceme­ Corps, crossed heavy machine guns tery. Other minor damage to the for Machine Gun units, propellers stonework occurred but was re­ for Aviation units, artillery rounds paired. This particular shell hole was for both the Artillery and Ordnance, left untouched as evidence of com­ a plane-table for the Engineers, the bat action in the region during World Greek cross and caduceus for Medi­ War II. 8 Inside of Chapel Entrance 9 CHAPEL INTERIOR of Boston, Massachusetts. The win­ dow in the alcove on the left contains The Chapel is entered through a the coats of arms of some of the Al­ large double door of oak, or­ lied nations of World War I: the namented with wrought iron which United States, France, Great Britain, opens onto the vestibule. Above the Italy, Belgium, Serbia and Romania. inside of the entrance is inscribed: The window of the alcove on the THE NAMES RECORDED ON THESE WALLS ARE right contains the coats of arms of THOSE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO the United States, the insignia of I FOUGHT IN THIS REGION AND WHO SLEEP IN and II Corps and the insignia of the UNKNOWN GRAVES. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 26th, 28th, 32d, 42d To the right and left of the ves­ and 77th Divisions; these are the tibule are small alcoves with benches same insignia which are engraved where many of the names of the on the stone shields around the top 1,060 Missing in the region whose of the tower. remains were never recovered, or if On entering the chapel, one's eyes recovered never identified, are en­ are drawn to the apse with its exquis­ graved on the walls. The remainder itely carved and gilded altar of Italian of the names are engraved on the marble, the color of peach blossoms. walls of the vestibule and the apse. At the top of the altar back are Each alcove has one of the chapel's carved, respectively, an owl for wis­ five beautiful stained-glass windows dom, a crusader whose shield bears by Reynolds, Francis and Rohnstock a lion device for fortitude, and scales

Interior of Chapel

10 Stained Glass Window over Altar

11 for justice. Below these figures the altar. The three remaining stained- six virtues appear in two lines — WIS­ glass windows are located above and DOM, FORTITUDE, JUSTICE and FAITH, HOPE, to the left and right of the altar. The CHARITY. Lower on the altar back in stained-glass window over the in­ five circles are carved respectively a scription on the wall to the left of the Gallic rock, symbolic of France; a altar depicts St. Louis, one of the pommee cross on an apple blossom great Crusaders; the window over with a serpent representing the the altar depicts St. Michael Garden of Eden; a fouled anchor and triumphing over evil; and the win­ lily, symbolic of lasting peace; a dow over the inscription on the wall poppy, representing valor; and a to the right of the altar, St. Denis, passion flower, symbolic of the patron saint of France. Crucifixion and Resurrection. Across the face of the altar is in­ GRAVES AREA scribed: PEACEFUL THEY REST IN GLORY EVERLASTING. The graves area consists of two con­ Sprigs of olive and oak are carved vex curved plots projecting from on the altar front, symbolizing peace each side of the south end of the and life. Carved in the center of the mall; Plot A is on the left (east) and altar front is a bird feeding her Plot B is on the right (west). Each young, symbolic of Christ feeding plot contains 13 rows of headstones his flock. and 1,144 graves. Stars of David Inscribed on the wall to the left of mark the graves of those of the the altar are the words: IN GRATEFUL Jewish faith and latin crosses all REMEMBRANCE OF HER SONS WHO DIED IN others. Of the 2,288 burials in the THE WORLD WAR THIS CHAPEL IS ERECTED BY cemetery, 249 are of Unknowns. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A French Those interred in the cemetery came translation of this text appears on the from all of the then forty-eight states wall immediately to the right of the and the District of Columbia.

Graves Area

12 Interior of Visitors' Room

VISITORS' BUILDING est are provided on request by the cemetery staff member on duty. On the right of the entrance avenue are the Visitors' building and park­ PLANTINGS ing area. Inside the building are the superintendent's office and a com­ The long avenue leading from the fortably furnished room where vis­ entrance gate to the graves area is itors may rest and obtain informa­ bordered by plane trees and tion from the cemetery staff. The vis­ polyantha and tree roses. Massifs of itors' register is maintained there. multicolored shrubs such as for- Burial locations and sites of memo- sythia, laurel, boxwood, Japanese rialization in each of the Commis­ plum, deutzia, mock orange, Ore­ sion's cemetery memorials, travel in­ gon grape and others screen the formation, information on accom­ graves area from the north. Beds of modations in the vicinity, local his­ polyantha and tree roses border the tory and other information of inter­ mall and extend to the chapel steps.

13 Visitors' Building and Office East Face

The Chateau-Thierry Monument is cooperation of French and American situated on Hill 204, 2 miles/3 forces during World War I. kilometers west of the town for The monument is a large and im­ which it is named. It is 54 miles/87 pressive double colonnade set on a kilometers east of Paris and 4.5 well landscaped terrace. It is or­ miles/7 kilometers southeast of the namented on its west face by heroic Aisne-Marne Cemetery and Memo­ size figures representative of France rial. Two stone pylons inscribed and the United States and the AMERICA AISNE-MARNE MEMORIAL mark longstanding unity and friendship the entrance to the monument from between the two nations. The fig­ the Paris/Chateau-Thierry highway ures were designed and executed by (N-3). The site, 25 acres in extent, Alfred Bottiau of Paris, France. At commands a wide view of the Marne either side of the figures on the base River valley. of the monument is engraved the Designed by Paul P. Cret of dedicatory inscription: THIS MONU­ Philadelphia, the Chateau-Thierry MENT HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE UNITED Monument was constructed by the STA TES OF AMERICA TO COMMEMORATE TH E American Battle Monuments Com­ SERVI CES OF HER TROOPS AND THOSE OF mission to commemorate the sac­ FRANCE WHO FOUGHT l THIS REG ION DUR­ rifices and achievements of Ameri­ ING THE WORLD WAR. IT STANDS AS A LAST­ can and French fighting men in the ! G SYMBOL OF THE FRIENDSHIP AND COOP­ region, and the friendship and ERATION BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND AMER!-

15 names of places in the region where important battles were fought by American troops: GRIMPETTES WOOD VAUX FISMES MISSY-AUX-BOIS BELLEAU WOOD JUVIGNY MEZY NOROY-SUR- OURCQ — SERGY SERINGES-ET-NESLES VIERZY LE CHARMEL BAZOCHES FIS- METTE BERZY-LE-SEC TRUGNY LA CROIX ROUGE FARM TORCY. A brief resume of American fighting in the general vicinity is en­ graved on the north and south inter­ ior walls at the center of the colon­ nade: IN LATE MAY1918THEGERMAN ARMY MADE A SURPRISE ATTACK ALONG THE AISNE RIVER AND ADVANCED RAPIDLY TOWARD THE MARNE. ALLIED REINFORCEMENTS WERE HURRIEDLY BROUGHT UP, INCLUDING THE 2D AND 3D AMERICAN DIVISIONS WHICH WENT INTO POSITION DIRECTLY ACROSS THE GER­ Figures Depicting Unity of U. S. and France MAN LINE OF ADVANCE TOWARD PARIS. AFTER SEVERE FIGHTING THESE DIVISIONS DEFINITELY STOPPED THE PROGRESS OF THE CAN ARMIES. The text appears in Eng­ ATTACK ON THEIR FRONT AND THE LINES lish to the left (north) of the figures STABILIZED, THE GERMAN FORCES HAVING and in French to the right. DRIVEN A DEEP SALIENT ROUGHLY DEFINED The east face of the monument is BY REIMS, CHATEAU-THIERRY AND SOISSONS ornamented with an eagle and INTO ALLIED TERRITORY. shield also of heroic proportions. In­ THE LAST GERMAN OFFENSIVE OF THE scribed on the base of the sculpture WAR, ON 15 JULY, INCLUDED AN ATTACK IN are the words: TIME WILL NOT DIM THE THE EASTERN PART OF THIS SALIENT AND GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS. Below the in­ THERE THE 3D AMERICAN DIVISION AND scription is a large ornamental map ELEMENTS OF THE 28TH WERE IMPORTANT of the region designed by Paul P. FACTORS IN THE SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF Cret showing the ground gained by THE ALLIED POSITIONS. U.S. Forces on 18 July 1918 and ON JULY 18 THE ALLIED TROOPS BEGAN A thereafter. In front of the map is an GENERAL COUNTEROFFENSIVE AGAINST THE orientation table giving distances WHOLE SALIENT IN WHICH THE 1ST, 2D, 3D, and directions to points of historical 4TH, 26TH, 28TH, 32D AND 42D AMERICAN DI­ interest. From there and elsewhere VISIONS, MOST OF WHICH SERVED UNDER on the terrace, an excellent view of THE I AND III CORPS, TOOK A BRILLIANT PART. the Marne River valley may be had. THIS OFFENSIVE WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS Along the base of the monument on AND BY AUGUST 6 THE ENEMY HAD BEEN either side of the map are carved the DRIVEN BEYOND THE VESLE RIVER. LATER numerical designations and insignia THE 4TH, 28TH, 32D AND 77TH AMERICAN DI­ of the U. S. corps and divisions VISIONS AND ELEMENTS OF THE 3D AND 93D commemorated there. These are PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE DESPER­ from left (north) to right: the 1st, 2d ATE FIGHTING ON THE NORTH OF THE VESLE. and 3d Divisions, I and III Corps, OF THE 310,000 AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO and the 28th, 32d, 42d, 77th and 83d FOUGHT IN THESE OPERATIONS, 67,000 WERE Divisions. CASUALTIES. The resume is in French Inscribed above the columns on all on the north interior wall and in Eng­ fours sides of the monument are the lish on the south interior wall.

16 ^elleatt pUnch

Belleau Wood, 200 acres in extent, the 4th Marine Brigade of the U. S. 2d adjoins the Aisne-Marne American Division which was primarily re­ Cemetery behind the memorial sponsible for capture of the Wood. chapel. It is maintained by the Below the bas-relief at the base of the American Battle Monuments Com­ stele is a bronze plaque on which is mission as a memorial to the Ameri­ engraved in English and French: BOIS can fighting men who fought in the DE BELLEAU OFFICIALLY RENAMED BOIS DE AEF during World War I. Vestiges of LA BRIGADE DE MARINE BY THE COMMAND­ trenches, shell holes and relics of the ING GENERAL FRENCH SIXTH ARMY ON 30 war to include weapons found in the JUNE 1918 IN RECOGNITION OF THE vicinity may be seen. A monument COURAGEOUS ACTION OF THE 4TH UNITED erected by the U.S. Marines and a STATES MARINE BRIGADE IN THE SEIZURE OF flagpole are located on an island in THIS WOOD IN THE FACE OF DETERMINED the road passing through the clear­ GERMAN RESISTANCE. ON 27 MAY 1918, THE ing in the center of Belleau Wood. GERMANS LAUNCHED A MAJOR SURPRISE The monument is a black granite OFFENSIVE WHICH CROSSED THE CHEMIN stele to which has been affixed a DES DAMES AND CAPTURED SOISSONS. BY 31 life-size bronze bas-relief by Felix de MAY, THEIR ARMIES WERE ADVANCING RAP­ Weldon of a Marine attacking with IDLY DOWN THE MARNE VALLEY TOWARD rifle and bayonet. It commemorates PARIS. THE 2D UNITED STATES ARMY DIVI-

17 SION, OF WHICH THE 4TH MARINE BRIGADE FORMED A PART, WAS RUSHED INTO THE DEEPEST POINT OF THE PENETRATION TO AS­ SIST THE FRENCH FORCES IN STOPPING THE ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY. RAPIDLY OCCUPY­ ING DEFENSIVE POSITIONS SOUTH AND WEST OF BELLEAU WOOD, THE 4TH MARINE BRIGADE, COMPOSED OF THE 5TH AND 6TH MARINE REGIMENTS AND THE 6TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION, STOOD FIRM UNDER UN­ REMITTING ENEMY ATTACKS FROM 1 TO 5 JUNE. ON 6 JUNE, THE MARINES BEGAN A SERIES OF ATTACKS WHICH CULMINATED ON 25 JUNE WITH THE CAPTURE OF THE ENTIRE BELLEAU WOOD AREA, AND THE DEFEAT OF THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN THIS SECTOR. MAY THE GALLANT MARINES WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR CORPS AND COUNTRY REST IN PEACE.

WW I Ruin in Bclleau Wood

Marine Monument at Belleau Wood

IS Brittany American Cemetery and Manorial, St. James (Manche), 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 supervising 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 1 Burials Missing Known Unknown Commemorated Aisne-Mame, 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 11 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 11 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 Korean War and 2,489 Missing of the At the Suresnes Cemetery Memo­ Vietnam War. rial, senior representatives of the 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

20 Honolulu Memorial (WW U, 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

2K 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 D. Bradley Freda J. Poundstone Audrey 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 272-0532 Mailing Address: APO New York 09794 Telephone: 4674, Ext. 156 475-0157 Telegrams: ABMC AMEMBASSY Rome, Italy EUROPEAN OFFICE PHILIPPINE OFFICE Street Address: 68, rue du 19 Janvier Street Address 92 - Garches, France American Military Cemetery Mailing Address: Manila, R. P. APO New York 09777 Mailing Address: Telephone: 701-1976 APO San Francisco 96528 Telegrams: ABMC Telephone: Manila 88-02-12 AMEMBASSY Telegrams: AMBAMCOM, Paris, France Manila, R.P.

31 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France