The Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium is a World War Two war cemetery that holds the graves of 5,328 fallen American soldiers. Around 65 percent of these graves belong to fallen US Army Air Forces airmen.
Most of the interred men lost their lives during the last stages of the war. Many died during the Ardennes Offensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge and referred to by the Germans as Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein, the last major Nazi counteroffensive on the western front, while others fell during the advance to the Rhine and into Germany or during strategic bombing operations in the area.
On the east side of the large American Eagle memorial building six granite cenotaph called the “Tables of the Missing” show the names of 462 missing soldiers whose remains were never recovered or identified.
Between 1945 and 1960 this cemetery also served as the central identification point of the US Graves Registration Service for the entire European Theater of Operations.
American Eagle Memorial and Chapel
The Memorial building is a striking square structure on the 90.5 acres of cemetery grounds. The imposing south facade shows the American Eagle and three figures symbolizing Justice, Liberty, and Truth. The thirteen stars at the bottom left represent the United States.
Inside the memorial building are large wall maps composed of inlaid marble depicting US operations in Western Europe, various ornaments to honour the American fallen and a chapel.
Medal of Honor recipients
The cemetery is also the final resting place of three Medal of Honor recipients.
Medal of Honor recipient Captain Darrell R. Lindsey is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the east side of the memorial building.
Visit
This Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial is opened daily during daytime hours.
