Netherlands American Cemetery

The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is a war cemetery which lies in the village of Margraten six miles (10 km) east of Maastricht, in the most southern part of the Netherlands. It is administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

History

The cemetery site has a rich historical background, lying near the famous Cologne-Boulogne highway, originally built by the Romans and used by Julius Caesar during his campaign in that area. The highway was also used by Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. In May 1940, Hitler's legions advanced over the route of the old Roman highway, overwhelming the Low Countries. In September 1944, German troops once more used the highway for the withdrawal from the countries occupied for four years.

Description

The tall memorial tower can be seen before reaching the cemetery which covers Шаблон:Convert. From the cemetery entrance the visitor approaches through the Court of Honor with its pool reflecting the chapel tower. The visitors' building is on the right and the museum with its three engraved operations maps describing the achievements of the American Armed Forces in the area during World War II is on the left. At the base of the tower facing the reflecting pool is a statue representing the grieving mother of her lost son.

The walls on either side of the Court of Honor contain the Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded the names of 1,722 American missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. Beyond the chapel and tower is the burial area which is divided into sixteen plots. Here rest 8,301 American dead, most of whom lost their lives nearby. Their headstones are set in long curves. A wide tree-lined mall leads to the flag staff which crowns the crest.

Each year on Memorial Day (28 May) the dead are commemorated. In 2005, president Bush attended a large solemn meeting. It was for the first time that an American president visited the cemetery. The following quote is from a speech president Bush gave that day:

Шаблон:Cquote

Notable burials

  • Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole, United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • Pfc. Willy F. James, Jr., United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • Pvt. George J. Peters, United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • S/Sgt. George Peterson, United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose
  • Pfc. Walter C. Wetzel, United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • 1st Lt. Walter J. Will, United States Army – Medal of Honor
  • S/Sgt. Jonah Edward Kelley, United States Army – Medal of Honor*

See also

  • World War II memorials and cemeteries in the Netherlands

Notes

Шаблон:Reflist

Further reading

External links

Шаблон:Commonscat

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 Ed Berrevoets
15 August 2021
Each free person living in The Netherlands should at least once in a life time visit this cemetery and pay respect to the young people who gave their lives for ours to live in freedom. Breathtaking.
Sem
21 October 2012
Erg mooi en indrukwekkend. Iedere Nederlander zou hier een keer een bezoekje aan moeten brengen.
Matteo Franssen
30 June 2012
Erg indrukwekkende plek op even bij het oorlogsgeweld stil te staan, zeker de moeite waard om langs te gaan!
Chris Welfing
29 April 2013
Je moet hier zeker heen gaan als je in Zuid-Limburg bent. Heel erg mooi om te zien!
Henny van Broekhoven
19 July 2013
Even de tijd nemen om hier langs te gaan en respect te tonen aan de mensen die voor ons gesneuveld zijn. Zeer indrukwekkend
Marco Vonk
23 October 2022
Indrukwekkend, je wordt er erg stil van
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Map
Amerikaanse Begraafplaats 1, 6269 NA Margraten, The Netherlands Get directions
Fri-Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tue-Wed 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

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