Allied forces gained a critical foothold in the Solomon Islands in August 1942 after the successful invasion of Guadalcanal. While this gave the Allies a base of operations, including an airfield, the Japanese still had a presence on Guadalcanal.
In World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, millions of Americans served far from home. In the various conflicts, service members fought in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. They traversed mountains in Italy, France, Korea and Vietnam.
Even before the United States joined World War I, transformations to the American military had begun in earnest. The National Defense Act of 1916 authorized growth of the army to include 21 field artillery regiments.
Pope Francis will conduct at mass at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery on November 2, 2017 at 3:15 p.m. Cemetery operations will be impacted the entire week of October 30th in the lead up to this event.
Pope Francis will conduct at mass at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery on November 2, 2017 at 3:15 p.m. to coincide with All Soul’s Day, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church that includes praying for the dead. The Vatican is organizing this mass, which is open to the public.
Two of the pathways leading to the flagpoles will be under maintenance beginning on November 6, 2017. Access to the cemetery will not be affected in any way, however, these paths will be closed to foot traffic during this time.
Due to renovation work, the chapel at Flanders Field American Cemetery will be closed beginning on Monday, October 16, 2017. The chapel is expected to reopen in spring 2018. Access to the cemetery grounds will not be affected.
Renovation work to the outside of the visitor center at Flanders Field American Cemetery will begin on October 16, 2017. While access to the visitor center and the restrooms will not be affected, the accessible entrance to the building will shift based on the location of the work.
The visitor center at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is closed until Monday, October 16, 2017 in the afternoon due to unexpected maintenance work. Access to the cemetery is not affected.