David
Sun February 27, 2005 11:50pm
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West Point Defenses
West Point Defenses
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:07am
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Aisne-Marne American Ceme
The World War I Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial lies south of the village of Belleau (Aisne), France six and one-half miles northwest of Chateau-Thierry. It may be reached by automobile from Paris via Route N-3, turning left opposite the entrance pylons of the Chateau-Thierry Monument which are about two miles west of the town of Chateau-Thierry. The total distance is 58 miles. The cemetery may also be reached via toll Autoroute A-4 by taking the Montreuil-aux-Lions exit and following the cemetery signs to Lucy-le-Bocage and proceeding through Belleau Wood to the entrance of the cemetery. There is rail service from Paris (Gare de l'Est) to Chateau-Thierry. The journey takes about one hour.
This forty-two acre cemetery, with its headstones lying in a sweeping curve, sits at the foot of the hill where stands Belleau Wood. It contains the graves of 2,290 American Dead, most of whom fought in the vicinity and in the Marne valley in the summer of 1918. From the hillside rises the memorial chapel decorated with sculptured and stained glass details of wartime personnel, equipment and insignia. On its interior walls are inscribed the names of 1,060 who gave their lives in the service of their country and who are resting in unknown graves. The observation platform in the chapel tower affords excellent views of the battlefield. During World War II, the chapel was damaged slightly by an enemy shell.
Belleau Wood, adjoining the cemetery, contains many vestiges of World War I. At the flagpole is a monument commemorating the valor of the U.S. Marines who captured much of this ground in 1918.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:14am
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Cambridge American Cemete
The World War II Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is located three miles west of the university city of Cambridge, England on Highway A-1303 and sixty miles north of London. It takes about four and a quarter hours driving from London by automobile. Cambridge may also be reached by railroad from the Liverpool Street Station. Travel time is about one and a half hours. Train service is frequent. Taxicab service to the cemetery is available at the Cambridge Station. There are excellent hotels in the city.
The site, thirty and a half acres in extent, was donated by the University of Cambridge. It lies on a north slope with wide prospect. The west and south sides of the cemetery are framed by woodland. There are 3,812 American military Dead buried there. On the wall running from the entrance to the chapel are inscribed the names of 5,126 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified. Most of these died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of Northwest Europe during World War II.
From the flag platform near the main entrance the great mall with its reflecting pool stretches eastward. From this mall the headstones in the burial area form a sweeping curve across the green lawn. Along the south side of the mall is the Wall of the Missing. At its far end is the chapel containing two huge military maps, stained glass windows bearing the State Seals and military decorations, and its mosaic ceiling with a memorial to our Air Forces Dead.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:18am
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Flanders Field American C
The World War I Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial lies on the southeast edge of the town of Waregem, Belgium, along the Lille-Gent AutoRoute E-17. It is located 175 miles north of Paris, France and 46 miles west of Brussels. The cemetery is within 30 miles of Brugge (Brugges) and Gent (Gand), the two largest cities in Flanders. Waregem may be reached by train from Brussels via Gent (Gand) in approximately one hour; from Paris, Gare du Nord, in about five hours via Rysel (Lille) and Kortrijk (Courtrai), and five and one-half hours via Brussels and Gent. Taxi service is available from the station in Waregem.
The cemetery occupies a six-acre site. Masses of graceful trees and shrubbery frame the burial area and screen it from the passing traffic. At the ends of the paths leading to three of the corners of the cemetery are circular retreats with benches and urns. At this peaceful location rest 368 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives in liberating Belgium in World War I. Their headstones are aligned in four symmetrical areas around the white stone chapel that stands in the center of the cemetery.
The altar inside the chapel is of black and white Grand Antique marble having draped flags on each side; above it is a crusader's sword outlined in gold. The chapel furniture is of carved oak, stained black and white veining to harmonize with the altar. On the side walls are inscribed the names of 43 of the Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:19am
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Florence American Cemeter
The World War II Florence American Cemetery and Memorial is located on the west side of Via Cassia, about seven and a half miles south of Florence, Italy. The Rome-Milan highway (Autostrada) passes near the cemetery. Its Certosa-Florence exit is two miles to the north. There is excellent train service to Florence from the principal cities in Italy. It is also served by some of the international trains. The "SITA" bus station provides frequent bus service along Via Cassia. There is a bus stop conveniently located just outside the cemetery gate.
The site covers seventy acres, chiefly on the west side of the Greve River. The wooded hills which frame its west limit rise several hundred feet. Between the two entrance buildings a bridge leads to the burial area with the headstones of 4,402 American military Dead, representing thirty-nine percent of the U.S. Fifth Army burials originally made between Rome and the Alps. Most died in the fighting which occurred after the capture of Rome in June 1944. Included among them are casualties of the heavy fighting in the Apennines shortly before the war's end. On May 2, 1945, the enemy troops in northern Italy surrendered. At Florence, the headstones are arrayed in symmetrical curved rows upon the hillside. Above the burial area on the topmost of three broad terraces stands the memorial marked by a tall pylon surmounted by a large sculptured figure. The memorial has two open atria or courts joined by the Tablets of the Missing upon which are inscribed the names of 1,409 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves.
The atrium at the south end of the Tablets of the Missing serves as a forecourt to the chapel which is decorated with marble and mosaic. The north atrium contains the marble operations maps recording the achievements of the American Armed Forces in this region during World War II.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:21am
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Henri-Chapelle American C
The World War II Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial is located two miles northwest of the village of Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, which is on the main highway from Liege (18 miles) to Aachen, Germany (10 miles). Henri-Chapelle is four and a half miles northwest of the Welkenraedt Exit (seven miles from the German border) on the Aachen-Antwerp Autoroute. Welkenraedt, the nearest railroad station with taxi service to the cemetery, may be reached by train from Paris (Gare du Nord), Brussels and Aachen.
At this cemetery, covering fifty-seven acres, rest 7,992 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the advance of the American Armed Forces into Germany during World War II. Their headstones are arranged in gentle arcs sweeping across a broad green lawn which slopes gently downhill.
A highway passes through the reservation. West of the highway an overlook affords an excellent view of the rolling countryside, once a battlefield. To the east is a long colonnade, which with a chapel and museum at either end, overlooks the burial area. The chapel is simple but richly ornamented. Two maps of military operations, carved in black granite with inscriptions recalling the achievements of the American Armed Forces, are in the museum. The cemetery possesses great military historic significance as it accommodates the fallen Americans of two major efforts - one covering the U.S. First Army's drive in September 1944 through northern France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg into Germany - and the second covering the Battle of the Bulge.
On the rectangular piers of the colonnade are inscribed the names of 450 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country but whose remains were never recovered or identified. The seals of the states and territories are also carved on these piers.
It was from the temporary cemetery at Henri-Chapelle that the first shipment of remains of American War Dead were returned to the U.S. for permanent burial. The repatriation program began on July 27, 1947 at a special ceremony at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery when the disinterment began. The first shipment of 5,600 American Dead from Henri-Chapelle left Antwerp, Belgium the first week of October 1947. An impressive ceremony was held with over 30,000 reverent Belgium citizens attending and representatives of the Belgium government and senior Americans presiding.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:22am
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Lorraine American Cemeter
The World War II Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial is located three quarters of a mile north of the town of St. Avold (Moselle), France on Highway N-33. St. Avold, which is twenty-eight miles east of Metz and seventeen miles southwest of Saarbrucken, can be reached by automobile from Paris via toll Autoroute A in about four hours. Trains from Paris (Gare de l'Est) take about three and a half hours to the St. Avold Station, which is three miles from the cemetery. There are hotels at St. Avold, Forbach, Saarbrucken and Metz.
The cemetery, one hundred and thirteen acres in extent, contains 10,489 American Dead, the largest number in our World War II military cemeteries in Europe. Most of the Dead here were killed while driving the German forces from the fortress city of Metz toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. Initially, there were over 16,000 Americans interred in the St. Avold region, mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army's Infantry and Armored Divisions and its Cavalry Groups. Their headstones are arranged in nine plots in a generally elliptical design extending over the beautiful rolling terrain of eastern Lorraine and culminating in a prominent overlook feature. St. Avold served as a vital communications center for the vast network of enemy defenses guarding the western border of the Third Reich.
The memorial, which stands on a plateau to the west of the burial area, contains ceramic operations maps with narratives and service flags. High on its exterior wall is the figure of St. Nabor, a martyred Roman soldier, who overlooks the silent host. On each side of the memorial, and parallel to its front, stretch the Tablets of the Missing on which are inscribed the names of 444 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country but whose remains were not recovered or identified. The entire area is framed in woodland.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:24am
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Manila American Cemetery
The World War II Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located about six miles southeast of Manila, Republic of the Philippines within the limits of Fort Bonifacio, the former U.S. Army Fort William McKinley. It can be reached easily from the city by taxicab.
The cemetery, one hundred and fifty-two acres in extent, is on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of our military Dead of World War II, a total of 17,206, most of whom gave their lives in the operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. The headstones are aligned in eleven plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.
The chapel, a tall stone structure enriched with sculpture and mosaic, stands near the center of the cemetery. In front of it on a wide terrace are two large hemicycles with rooms at each end. Twenty-five large mosaic maps in these four rooms recall the achievements of the American Armed Forces in the Pacific, China, India and Burma. On rectangular Trani limestone piers within the hemicycles are inscribed the names of 36,282 of the Missing who gave their lives in the service of America and who rest in unknown graves. Carved in the floors are the seals of the American states and its territories.
From the memorial and other points within the cemetery there are impressive views over the lowlands to Laguna de Bay and towards the distant mountains.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:25am
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Meuse-Argonne American Ce
The World War I Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial is located east of the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon (Meuse), France and about twenty-six miles northwest of Verdun. It may be reached by automobile from Paris via toll Autoroute A-4 or Highway N-3 to Ste. Menehould, about one hundred and fifty-two miles. Follow Highway N-3 to Clermont-en-Argonne, then via Varennes-en-Argonne about nineteen miles to the cemetery. It may also be reached from Verdun via Consenvoye or Dun-sur-Meuse, a distance of about twenty-seven miles. Rail service from Paris (Gare de l'Est) to Verdun takes about three and a half hours. Hotels and taxis are available at Verdun.
Meuse-Argonne, covering one hundred and thirty acres, holds the largest number of American Dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here gave their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. The immense array of headstones rises in rectangular rows upwards beyond a wide central pool to the chapel which crowns a ridge. A beautiful bronze screen separates the chapel foyer from the interior, which is decorated with stained glass windows portraying American unit insignia. Behind the altar are the flags of the Allied nations.
On either side of the chapel are memorial loggias. One panel of the west loggia contains a map of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Inscribed on the remaining panels are the names of the 954 American Missing whose remains were never recovered or identified to include those Missing during our expedition to northern Russia during 1918-1919.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:27am
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Mexico City National Ceme
The Mexico City National Cemetery is located at 31 Virginia Fabregas, Colonia San Rafael, Mexico City, Mexico. It is about two miles west of the Metropolitan Cathedral and about one mile north of the United States Embassy. The cemetery was established in 1851 by Congress to gather the American Dead of the Mexican War that lay in the nearby fields and to provide burial space for Americans that died in the vicinity. A total of 750 unknown American soldiers were gathered and buried in a common grave at the cemetery. A small monument was placed over them that carries the inscription:
TO THE HONORED MEMORY
OF 750 AMERICANS
KNOWN BUT TO GOD
WHOSE BONES COLLECTED
BY THEIR COUNTRY'S ORDER
ARE HERE BURIED
In this one acre area are also placed 813 remains of Americans and others in wall crypts on either side of the cemetery. The cemetery was closed for further burials in 1923.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:34am
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Normandy American Cemeter
The World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-sur Mer, France. It is just east of St. Laurent-sur-Mer and northwest of Bayeux about one hundred and seventy miles west of Paris. The cemetery may be reached from Paris by automobile via Highway A-13 to Caen, then Highway N-13 through Bayeux to Formigny, then following D-517 to St. Laurent-sur-Mer and D-514 to Colleville-sur-Mer. A large stone directional sign designates the cemetery entrance. There is regular rail service between Paris (Gare St. Lazare) and Bayeux, where taxicabs and tour bus service are available. Travel by rail takes three hours. Hotels are available in Bayeux and Port-en-Bessin. The cemetery is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II.
The cemetery is at the north end of its one half mile access road and covers one hundred and seventy-two acres. It contains the graves of 9,387 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the landings and ensuing operations of World War II.
On the walls of the semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed the names of 1,557 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were not located or identified. The memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with a loggia at each end containing maps and narratives of the military operations. At the center is a bronze statue titled, "Spirit of American Youth." An orientation table overlooks the beach and depicts the landings at Normandy. Facing west at the memorial, one sees in the foreground the reflecting pool, the mall with burial areas to either side and the circular chapel beyond. Behind the chapel are statues representing the United States and France.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:38am
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Rhone American Cemetery a
The World War II Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial is located in the city of Draguignan (Var), France about twenty miles west of Cannes and sixteen miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It can be reached from Paris by toll Autoroutes A6/A7/A8 and taking the Le Muy exit onto Highway N-555 to Draguignan. Railroad trains from Cannes, Marseille and Paris stop at St. Raphael, where taxicab and bus services are available to the cemetery twenty miles away. Hotel accommodations in Draguignan are limited, but there are many hotels in St. Raphael, Cannes and other Riviera cities.
Draguignan was selected for the cemetery site for its historic location along the route of the U.S. Seventh Army's drive up the Rhone Valley. It was established on August 19, 1944 after the Seventh Army's surprise landing in southern France. Within this cemetery, twelve acres in extent and located at the foot of a hill clad with characteristic cypresses, olive trees and oleanders of southern France, rest 861 American military Dead. Their headstones are arranged in straight lines and divided into four plots grouped about an oval pool. At the end of the crosswalks is a small garden.
On the hillside overlooking the burial area is the chapel with its large sculptured figure and decorative mosaic within. Between the chapel and the burial area is a great bronze relief map recalling the military operations in the region. On the retaining wall of the terrace are inscribed the names of 294 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:40am
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Somme American Cemetery
The World War I Somme American Cemetery is located one-half mile southwest of the village of Bony (Aisne), France, which is one and one-half miles west of Highway N-44, thirteen miles north of St. Quentin and fourteen miles southwest of Cambrai. The road leading to Bony leaves Highway N-44 ten miles north of St. Quentin, a short distance north of the Bellicourt American Monument. The cemetery, ninety-eight miles northeast of Paris, can also be reached by automobile via the Paris-Brussels toll Autoroute A-1 to Peronne, then via Vermand and Bellenglise, or Brussels-Reims toll Autoroute A-26 exit 9, via Highway N-44 south for seven and one-half miles to Bony. Hotel accommodations are available at Peronne, St. Quentin and Cambrai, which may be reached by train from Paris (Gare du Nord).
This fourteen-acre cemetery, sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside contains the graves of 1,844 American military Dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British Armies or in the operations near Cantigny during World War I. The headstones, set in regular rows, are separated into four plots by paths which intersect at the flagpole near the top of the slope. The longer axis leads to the chapel at the eastern end of the cemetery.
A massive bronze door, surmounted by an American eagle, leads the way into the chapel whose outer walls contain sculptured pieces of military equipment. Once inside, light from a cross-shaped crystal window above the marble altar bathes the subdued interior with luminous radiance. The walls bear the names of 333 heroic American Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified. There are three Medal of Honor recipients interred at the cemetery.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:41am
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St. Mihiel American Cemet
The World War I St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial is located at the west edge of Thiaucourt, France. The cemetery can be reached by automobile from Paris by toll Autoroute A-4. Take the Fresnes-en-Woevre Exit following Route D-904 south to Beney-en-Woevre then D-67 to the cemetery. There is direct rail service from Paris (Gare de l'Est) to Onville. At Metz, Nancy and Verdun, hotel accommodations are available and taxicabs may be hired.
This cemetery, forty acres in extent, contains the graves of 4,153 American military Dead from World War I. Most of these gave their lives in the great offensive which resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris. The headstones are aligned in long rows and divided into four plots by tree lined walks. At the center of these walks is a large sundial surmounted by an American eagle. To the right (west) end of the walk is a small monument and to the left is a semicircular overlook.
Beyond the burial area to the south is a white stone memorial consisting of a small chapel, a peristyle with a large rose granite urn in the center and a museum. The chapel contains a beautiful mosaic portraying an angel sheathing a sword. On the end walls of the museum are recorded the names of 284 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose remains were never recovered or identified. On the wall opposite the door is a large inlaid marble map describing the St. Mihiel Offensive.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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David
Mon July 25, 2005 11:43am
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Suresnes American Cemeter
The World War I Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial is located in the suburb of Suresnes five miles west of the center of Paris. It can be reached by automobile, taxicab or suburban trains which depart from Gare St. Lazare to the Suresnes Mont Valerien Station every twenty minutes. From the Suresnes Station it is a ten minute walk to the cemetery. Located high on the slopes of Mont Valerien, the cemetery affords a fine panorama of a large part of Paris.
This cemetery, seven and a half acres in extent, contains the graves of 1,541 American military Dead from World War I and twenty-four graves of American Unknown Dead from World War II. Bronze tablets on the walls of the chapel record the names of 974 American Missing or buried or lost at sea in 1917 and 1918.
Originally a World War I cemetery, Suresnes now shelters American Dead from both wars. The World War I memorial chapel was enlarged by the addition of two loggias dedicated to the Dead of both wars. In the rooms at the ends of the loggias are white marble figures in memory of those who gave their lives in these two wars. Inscribed on the walls of the loggias is a summary of the loss of life suffered by our Armed Forces during these great conflicts listing the location of all overseas military cemeteries where American Dead are buried. Senior representatives of the American and French Governments assemble at Suresnes Cemetery on ceremonial occasions to honor the memory of the American Dead.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 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 Visitors? Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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