The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery (french: Cimetière Américain (Meuse-Argonne), links=no) is a

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

cemetery in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. It is located east of the village of

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon Romagne-sous-Montfaucon (, literally ''Romagne under Montfaucon'') is a commune in the Meuse department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. The Commune is home to the Romagne '14-'18 museum of WWI artifacts Nearby is the American Battle Monum ...

Meuse The Meuse ( , , , ; wa, Moûze ) or Maas ( , ; li, Maos or ) is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a t ...

. The cemetery contains the largest number of American military dead in Europe (14,246), most of whom lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and were buried there. The cemetery consists of eight sections behind a large central reflection pool. Beyond the grave sections is a chapel which is decorated with stained glass windows depicting American units' insignias. Along the walls of the chapel area are the tablets of the

missing Missing or The Missing may refer to: Film * ''Missing'' (1918 film), an American silent drama directed by James Young * ''Missing'' (1982 film), an American historical drama directed by Costa-Gavras * ''Missing'' (2007 film) (''Vermist''), a Bel ...

which include the names of those soldiers who fought in the region and in northern Russia, but have no known grave. It also includes the

Meuse-Argonne American Memorial The Meuse-Argonne American Memorial (''Montfaucon American Monument''; french: Monument Américain de Montfaucon, links=no) is an American World War I memorial commemorating "the brilliant victory of the American First Army in the Meuse-Argo ...

. This cemetery is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. It is open daily to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The cemetery is closed January 1 and December 25, but is open on all other holidays.

Notable burials

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

recipients ** Second Lieutenant

Erwin R. Bleckley Erwin Russell Bleckley (December 30, 1894 – October 6, 1918) was a United States Army aviator during World War I, and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, killed in action on October 6, 1918, near the "lost battalion". Bleckley ent ...

(1894–1918), for service near Binarville, France ** Captain

Marcellus H. Chiles Captain Marcellus Holmes Chiles (February 5, 1895 – November 5, 1918) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I, he suffered wounds that ultimately caused his death during those action ...

(1895–1918), for action near Le Champy Bas, France ** Sergeant Matej Kocak (1882–1918), two-time recipient (Army and Navy medals) ** Second Lieutenant

Frank Luke Jr. Frank Luke Jr. (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1918) was an American fighter ace credited with 19 aerial victories, ranking him second among United States Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War I. Luke was ...

(1897–1918), the "Arizona Balloon Buster" and first airman to receive the medal of honor; Luke Air Force Base is named after him ** Major Oscar F. Miller (1882–1918), for his leadership in the Argonne ** Corporal Harold W. Roberts (1895–1918), for action in the Montrebeau Woods ** Sergeant

William Sawelson William Sawelson (August 5, 1895 – October 26, 1918) was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for valor in combat. The medal was posthumously presented to his father Jacob L. Sawelson at Governors Island ...

(1895–1918), for action at

Grandpré, Ardennes Grandpré () is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France. On 1 January 2016, the former commune Termes was merged into Grandpré.

** Lieutenant Colonel Fred E. Smith (1873–1918), for action near Binarville, France ** Corporal

Freddie Stowers Freddie Stowers (January 12, 1896 – September 28, 1918) was an African-American corporal in the United States Army who was killed in action during World War I while serving in an American unit under French command. Over 70 years later, he posthu ...

(1896–1918), for action in the Ardennes (medal awarded in 1991) * Other notables ** Sergeant Victor E. Chapman (1890–1916), first American aviator to die in battle in the war ** Captain

Edward L. Grant Edward Leslie Grant (May 21, 1883 – October 5, 1918), was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman between 1905 and 1915. Grant became one of the few major league players who were killed in ...

(1883–1918), pre-war professional baseball player

Gallery

Image:Meusecemetery2.jpg, Aerial view of cemetery. Image:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery 081710.JPG, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. File:Romagne-sous-Montfaucon - unknown Jewish soldier.jpg, Grave of an unknown Jewish American combatant in the cemetery Image:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Chapel 081710.JPG, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery Chapel. Image:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery 6.jpg, Grave of Medal of Honor recipient Harold W. Roberts

References

External links

Official *
American Battle Monuments Commission (archived)
General information
Meuse-Argonne.wmv – Windows Media Video

Cemetery booklet (no pictures)

Cemetery booklet (with pictures)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery 1918 establishments in France Aftermath of World War I in France American Battle Monuments Commission Buildings and structures in Meuse (department) Cemeteries in Grand Est History of Grand Est Museums in Meuse (department) Neoclassical architecture in France Protected areas of France Tourist attractions in Meuse (department) World War I cemeteries in France

Notable burials

Gallery

See also

References

Further reading

External links