Somme American Cemetery

, Somme American Cemetery , Somme American Cemetery lies among the fields where American soldiers conducted repeated assaults while advancing to attack the Hindenburg Line in front of Bony. 1,844 war dead of the United States of America from World War I rest here. Most of those buried here died while serving at Cambrai, Le Hamel, in front of Amiens, and during the Hindenburg offensive. Additionally, the names of 333 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. 132 headstones mark the graves of 138 "unknowns"., The construction and care of this 14-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 eight American Military cemeteries in Europe, as well as eleven battlefield monuments. One of these monuments is located in Cantigny (Somme), 50 miles to the southwest of this cemetery. Another is near Bellicourt on the main highway, 3 miles (4.8 km) to the south. , At the end of the World War II, fourteen additional military cemeteries were established overseas. Each contains a memorial with a record in permanent graphic from 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 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 American 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. , To learn more about ABMC, please visit www.abmc.gov,