Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial , This 36.5-acre cemetery and memorial is the second largest American World War I cemetery in Europe. Most of those buried here gave their lives while fighting in the vicinity in 1918. The land where the cemetery is located was indeed a fiercely fought battlefield with 2 significant campaigns - the Aisne-Marne Offensive and the Oise-Aisne Offensive. First constructed as a temporary cemetery, it was chosen after the Armistice to become a permanent cemetery and was dedicated in 1937. , The care and maintenance of this sacred site is entrusted to the American Battle Monuments Commission. The French government, which acquired the deeds, granted the use of the land in perpetuity to the United States, under the condition that the American government reimbursed him for the cost of acquiring the land; it remains the host nation's soil. , The American Battle Monuments Commission , The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), established by Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government. Guardian of America's overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials, the agency honors the service, and achievements of U.S. Armed Forces, fulfilling the promise of its first chairman, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, that "Time will not dim the glory of their deeds." , The graves in ABMC World War I and World War II cemeteries number approximately 40% of those originally buried. The remains of the other 60% were returned home at the request of the next of kin. A white marble headstone marks each grave - a Star of David for those of the Jewish faith, and a Latin cross for all others. At each of the memorials are also inscribed the names of the missing who gave their lives in that region. A bronze rosette marks the names of those who were subsequently found, identified and buried. , An American Superintendent manages each cemetery. Cemetery personnel are available during opening hours to offer information and assistance., Headstones , Over 6,000 - the number of headstones marking the final resting place of American war dead from World War I. Nearly 600 of them are designated as "unknown"., Wall of the Missing , 241 - the number of names of Americans inscribed on the walls of the chapel. ,