THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

In this World War II cemetery, covering 170.5 acres donated by the people of France, rest 9,386 of the military Dead of the United States of America ; most of these died in the landing operations and in the establishment of the Normandy beachhead. They came from every State in the Union as well as the District of Columbia. 307 headstones mark the graves of "Unknowns".

On the walls of the semicircular garden of the Missing behind the Memorial are inscribed the names of 1,557 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their Country but whose remains were never recovered or identified.

Below the seaward edge of the cemetry is Omaha Beach. After World War I the American Battle Monuments Comission erected a memorial chapel in each of the eight mlitary cemetries in Europe as well as 11 battle-field monuments. At the end of World War II, 17 military cemetries were established, in 15 of which a memorial was erected ; each memorial contains a record in permanent graphic form of the achievementsof the U.S. Armed Forces in that region. To comemorate those who met their deaths in World War II in the American coastal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Comission has also erected memorials at New York and San Francisco.

The graves in these cemetries number approximately 39 per cent of those originally buried. The remains of the other 61 per cent were returned home at the request of the next-of- kin. A white marble headstones marks each of the graves - a Star of David for those of Jewish faith, a Latin Cross for all others. At each of the memorials are inscribed the names of the Missing who gave their lives in that region.

The construction and care of this cemetery and memorial are the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Comission, an agency of the United States Government.

An American Superintendent is stationed at each cemetry to give information and assitance. This cemetry is open in the summer from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and in the winter season from 9 a.m. until dark.

Postcards with views of the cemetery may be purchased in St. Laurent-sur-Mer, Colleville-sur-Mer and Vierville-sur- Mer.