Aise-Marne American Cemetery

Aise-Marne American Cemetery , Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is situated at the foot of the hill on which stands Belleau Wood, where many of those buried in the cemetery lost their lives. 2,289 war dead of the United States of America from World War I rest here. Most of those died in the summer of 1918 in the Battles for Belleau Wood above the cemetery, and in the valley of the Marne. Additionally, the names of 1,060 Americans whose remains were never recovered or not identified are inscribed on the walls of the chapel. A bronze rosette marks the names of those who were subsequently found. 251 headstones mark the graves of "unknowns"., The construction and care of this 42.5-acre cemetery and memorial are the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission, an agency of the United States government. Use of the land was granted, in perpetuity, by the people of France. , After World War I, the American Battle Monuments Commission erected a memorial chapel in each of the eight American military cemeteries in Europe, as well as eleven battlefield monuments: The Château Thierry monument is located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to the east on the hill overlooking Château Thierry, and the Belleau Wood Monument adjoins the cemetery behind the memorial chapel. , At the end of World War II, fourteen additional military cemeteries were established overseas. Each contains a memorial with a record in permanent graphic form of the achievements of the U.S. Armed Forces in that region. , The graves in these World War I and World War II cemeteries number approximately 39 percent of those originally buried. The remains of the other 61 percent 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 inscribed the names of the missing who gave their lives in that region. , The American Battle Monuments Commission also operates two cemeteries in Latin America, the final resting place of Americans killed in the War of 1847 and of those who contributed to the construction and operation of the Panama Canal. , An American Superintendent manages each cemetery. English-speaking personnel are available during opening hours to offer information and assistance. , List of ABMC cemeteries not transcribed ,