Henri Chapelle American Cemetery

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), established by law in 1923, is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the US Government. The Commission is responsible for commemorating the services and achievements of United States Armed Forces where they have served since April 6, 1917 (the date of US entry into World War I) through the erection of suitable memorial shrines; for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining permanent US military cemeteries and memorials in foreign countries; for controlling the design and construction of US military monuments and markers in foreign countries by other US citizens and organizations, both public and private; and encouraging the maintenance of such monuments and markers by their sponsors.

This cemetery, 57 acres in area, lies on the crest of a ridge affording an excellent view. The site was liberated on 12 September 1944 by troops of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division. A temporary cemetery was established on 28 September 1944 two or three hundred yards to the north of the present site, considered more attractive. Here rest 7,989 of our military Dead, most of whom gave their lives in the repulse of the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes popularly known as the “Battle of the Bulge”, or during the advance into, and accross Germany during the fall and winter of 1944 and the spring of 1945. Others were lost in air operations over the region.

General Layout
To the west of Highway N-18 where it crosses the reservation is the overlook area with its flagstaff. The west end of this area provides a wide view of the broad valley of the Berwinne stremlet and the ridges beyond.

The memorial of Massangis limestone from the Côte d’Or region of France consists of the chapel and the combined Visitors’ and Museum building connected by a colonnade of 12 pairs of rectangular pylons. The colonnade, chapel and museum room are paved with gray St. Gothard granite from Switzerland. East of the colonnade is a wide terrace.

The colonnade
On the 48 faces of the 24 pylons and the 4 faces of the engaged pylons at the ends of the colonnade are engraved the seals of the wartime 48 States, 3 territories and the District of Columbia. The obverse of the Great Seal of the United States, in bronze, is set in the floor. The names and particulars of 450 of the Missing, those whose remains were never found or positively identified, are engraved on the 48 faces of columns. The end pylons bear this inscription in English, French and Flemish:
HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND WHO SLEEP IN UNKNON GRAVES.
An asterisk shows those subsequently identified. These Dead came from 42 States, the District of Columbia and England.

The graves area.
East of the colonnade a terrace affords a prospect over the burial area. Immediately in front is the bronze statue of the Archangel bestowing the laurel branch upon the heroic Dead for whom it makes special commendations to the Almighty.
The graves area is divided into 8 plots, lettered “A” to “H”; these are separated by the broad axial mall and by longitudinal grass paths.
The 7,989 headstones are arranged in broad sweeping curves upon the gently sloping lawn. Stars of David mark the graves of those who professed the Jewish faith while Latin crosses mark all others. These Deads came from 49 States, and from the District of Columbia, Panama and England. Among the graves are 33 instances in which 2 brothers rest side by side, and one instance of 3 brothers; also there are headstones marking the tombs of 94 Unknowns whose identity is known but to God.
The central mall terminates in a wall-enclosed flagpole plaza, backed by a cospe of oak and spruce trees. On the wall is the inscription:
IN HONORED MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY

The plantings
The memorial is set within a framework of Box hedges (Buxus sempervirens), which has been extended to form a border to the paths which lead to the graves area.
In the lawns at each end of the memorial are groups of weeping willows; flanking the memorial north and south of the grass terrace on which it stands, are groups of Serbian Spruce an Norway Spruce mixed with Hawthorns. Along the paved approach to the memorial are large beds of pink Polyantha roses and adjoining the colonnade itself are massifs of white roses.
Within the graves area Birch, Hornbeam and Yew have been planted and free growing Bax has been massed in groups against the surrounding walls. Beyond the wall also are groups of Rhododendron, Ponticum and shrubby Chestnut and a number of Norway Spruce.

The architects for the cemetery and memorial were Holabird, Root and Burge of Chicago, Illinois. The landscaping architect was Franz Lipp of Chicago. The statue of the Archangel was designed by Donald Hord of San Diego, California. The maps werde designed by Sante Graziani of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Construction of the cemetery and memorial was completed in 1960. The dedication ceremony was held on 9 July 1960.

To find the grave, please consult the database of the ABMC

More info about the Henri Chapelle cemetery can be found at http://www.abmc.gov/hc.htm