Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial

[David]

LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, 50.5 acres in extent, is situated in a beautiful wooded area. The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944 by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of the critical battles of World War II. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for General George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army. General Patton is buried here.

Not far from the cemetery entrance stands the white stone chapel, set on a wide circular platform surrounded by woods. It is embellished with sculpture in bronze and stone, a stained-glass window with American unit insignia, and a mosaic ceiling. Flanking the chapel at a lower level are two large stone pylons upon which are maps made of various inlaid granites, with inscriptions recalling the achievements of the American armed forces in this region. On the same pylons are inscribed the names of 371 of the missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

Sloping gently downhill from the memorial is the burial area containing 5,076 of our military dead, many of whom lost their lives in the "Battle of the Bulge" and in the advance to the Rhine. Their headstones follow graceful curves; trees, fountains and flower beds contribute to the dignity of the ensemble.

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitor Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.


Photos













How to Get There

GPS Coordinates: N49 36.771 E6 11.157

Luxembourg American Cemetery lies in Hamm just 3 miles east of downtown Luxembourg City. It can be reached by train from Paris (Gare de l'Est) in approximately 4 hours. The cemetery can also be reached from neighboring countries via E25/E44, exiting at Exit 7 clearly marked "Cimetières Militaires" (Military Cemeteries). The airport is three miles northeast of the cemetery. Taxicabs are available at the Luxembourg station and airport and bus service is available from the city. There are excellent hotels in the city.