How Many American Soldiers are Buried in France?
Introduction
France and the United States have a long history of friendship and military cooperation, dating back to the American Revolutionary War. During World War I, the United States entered the conflict in 1917 and played a significant role in the Allied victory. The war effort required the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers to the Western Front, where they fought alongside French and British troops. The sacrifice of American lives is still remembered and honored today, with tens of thousands of American soldiers buried in French soil.
The Number of American Soldiers Buried in France
According to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), a total of 116,785 American soldiers are buried in France. This number represents approximately 20% of the total number of American military personnel who died during World War I. [1]
Here is a breakdown of the number of American soldiers buried in France by war:
- World War I: 116,785
- World War II: 43,814
- Korean War: 4,401
- Vietnam War: 1,204
- Other conflicts: 266
Notable Cemeteries and Memorials
France is home to several notable American cemeteries and memorials, including:
- Ardennes American Cemetery: Located in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, this cemetery is the final resting place for over 10,900 American soldiers who died during the Battle of the Bulge.
- St. Mihiel American Cemetery: Located in Thiaucourt, France, this cemetery is the final resting place for over 4,700 American soldiers who died during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
- Suresnes American Cemetery: Located in Suresnes, France, this cemetery is the final resting place for over 1,500 American soldiers who died during World War I.
- Oise-Aisne American Cemetery: Located in Fere-en-Tardenois, France, this cemetery is the final resting place for over 6,400 American soldiers who died during World War I.
- Omaha Beach American Cemetery: Located in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, this cemetery is the final resting place for over 9,300 American soldiers who died during the Normandy landings.
Burial and Memorial Practices
The burial and memorial practices for American soldiers in France are governed by the ABMC, which is responsible for the commemoration of American military personnel who died during World War I and World War II. The ABMC has implemented a number of practices to ensure that American soldiers are properly buried and remembered, including:
- Graves registration: The ABMC is responsible for identifying, exhuming, and reburial of American soldiers who died during World War I and World War II.
- Headstone and marker: The ABMC provides headstones and markers for American soldiers buried in France, which bear the soldier’s name, rank, and date of death.
- Markers and memorials: The ABMC has erected markers and memorials at the gravesites of American soldiers who died during World War I and World War II.
Conclusion
The sacrifice of American soldiers in France is a testament to the long history of friendship and cooperation between the United States and France. The number of American soldiers buried in France is a sobering reminder of the human cost of war, and the commemoration of these soldiers by the ABMC ensures that their memory is honored and preserved for generations to come.
References
[1] American Battle Monuments Commission. (n.d.). American Cemeteries and Memorials in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europeTable: Breakdown of American Soldiers Buried in France by War
| War | Number of Soldiers Buried in France |
|---|---|
| World War I | 116,785 |
| World War II | 43,814 |
| Korean War | 4,401 |
| Vietnam War | 1,204 |
| Other conflicts | 266 |
| Total | 166,670 |
Bullets:
• The American Battle Monuments Commission is responsible for the commemoration of American military personnel who died during World War I and World War II.
• Over 116,000 American soldiers are buried in France, with the majority of these soldiers dying during World War I.
• Notable American cemeteries and memorials in France include the Ardennes American Cemetery, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, and Omaha Beach American Cemetery.
• The burial and memorial practices for American soldiers in France are governed by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
• The American Battle Monuments Commission provides headstones and markers for American soldiers buried in France, and has erected markers and memorials at the gravesites of American soldiers who died during World War I and World War II.
