Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial
Encyclopedia
The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial is a 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) World War I cemetery in Belleau
, Northern France. It is at the foot of the hill where the Battle of Belleau Wood
was fought, with many American fatalities. The cemetery also contains burials from the Battle of Château-Thierry
, later that summer.
The cemetery itself is laid out in the form of the capital letter T, with the Memorial Chapel crowning the T-shape on a small hill to south, the cross-bars making up the two burial plots and the pathway leading into the cemetery making up the stem of the letter-shape.
The Memorial Chapel is built over the site of front-line battle trenches dug in defense of Belleau Wood
. When entering the Memorial Chapel, one can see on the wall to the right a small hole that was made by a passing German anti-tank gun. Looking above the inside entrance door, one will see the following inscription:
THE NAMES RECORDED ON THESE WALLS ARE THOSE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THIS REGION AND WHO SLEEP IN UNKNOWN GRAVES.
The names of 1,060 soldiers missing in action
are inscribed on the Chapel's walls.
Each of the two burial plots (Plot A and Plot B) contain 13 rows of headstones, which consist of either Stars of David or Latin crosses. There are 2,288 burials in the cemetery, 251 of which contain unknown remains.
The site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission
, and its dedication ceremony was held on Memorial Day
, May 30, 1937. Among those buried there are Medal of Honor
recipient Weedon Osborne
.
The Chateau-Thierry American Monument
and the Belleau Wood
US Marines monument are nearby.
Belleau, Aisne
Belleau is a commune in the department of Aisne in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-See also:*Communes of the Aisne department*Battle of Belleau Wood*The Marine Memorial*Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial...
, Northern France. It is at the foot of the hill where the Battle of Belleau Wood
Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S...
was fought, with many American fatalities. The cemetery also contains burials from the Battle of Château-Thierry
Battle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
, later that summer.
The cemetery itself is laid out in the form of the capital letter T, with the Memorial Chapel crowning the T-shape on a small hill to south, the cross-bars making up the two burial plots and the pathway leading into the cemetery making up the stem of the letter-shape.
The Memorial Chapel is built over the site of front-line battle trenches dug in defense of Belleau Wood
Belleau Wood
Belleau Wood may refer to:* The Battle of Belleau Wood, near Château-Thierry, France, the scene of heavy fighting by U.S. Marines in World War I* USS Belleau Wood, two United States Navy ships that have been named after the Battle:...
. When entering the Memorial Chapel, one can see on the wall to the right a small hole that was made by a passing German anti-tank gun. Looking above the inside entrance door, one will see the following inscription:
THE NAMES RECORDED ON THESE WALLS ARE THOSE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THIS REGION AND WHO SLEEP IN UNKNOWN GRAVES.
The names of 1,060 soldiers missing in action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
are inscribed on the Chapel's walls.
Each of the two burial plots (Plot A and Plot B) contain 13 rows of headstones, which consist of either Stars of David or Latin crosses. There are 2,288 burials in the cemetery, 251 of which contain unknown remains.
The site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission
American Battle Monuments Commission
The American Battle Monuments Commission is a small independent agency of the United States government. Established by Congress in 1923, it is responsible for:...
, and its dedication ceremony was held on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
, May 30, 1937. Among those buried there are Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Weedon Osborne
Weedon Osborne
Weedon Edward Osborne was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War I.-Biography:...
.
The Chateau-Thierry American Monument
Chateau-Thierry American Monument
The Château-Thierry American Monument is a World War I memorial, located near Château-Thierry, Aisne, France.- Situation :The memorial is situated upon Hill 204 and commands a wide view of the valley of the Marne River. It is located about east of Paris, southeast of the Aisne-Marne American...
and the Belleau Wood
Belleau Wood
Belleau Wood may refer to:* The Battle of Belleau Wood, near Château-Thierry, France, the scene of heavy fighting by U.S. Marines in World War I* USS Belleau Wood, two United States Navy ships that have been named after the Battle:...
US Marines monument are nearby.