The United States was drawn into World War II on the morning of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese Navy conducted a surprise attack against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, claiming the lives of more than 2,400 people.
On Veterans Day ABMC sites paid tribute to the men and women buried and memorialized overseas.
Aaron Howson, who lives in the French village of Chantraine near Epinal American Cemetery, raises and lowers two American flags every day at his home.
During the first half of the 20th century, the United States fought in two World Wars. The nation’s identity and culture changed as more than 500,000 Americans lost their lives in these conflicts, and millions more became veterans.
As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, ABMC honors the contributions made by Hispanic-Americans, such as SSgt. Salvador Lara, as members of the U.S. armed forces.
At just 14 years old, Michael Hanson served as a cabin boy aboard the USS St Mary’s, a small naval vessel that served as part of the “Pacific Squadron” in the Union navy.
In September 1944, three Allied airborne divisions landed in the Netherlands as part of Operation Market–Garden. With the goal of moving Allied forces across the Rhine River, troops would have to seize control of key bridges and roads to accomplish this task.
Pfc. Cecil Harris of Company D, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division went missing on January 2, 1945 in northeastern France during Operation Nordwind. On that day, elements of his unit had been tasked with the mission of holding a defensive position near Dambach, France.
With more than three decades as a public servant, Rob Dalessandro brings his experience and knowledge to the American Battle Monuments Commission as the new deputy secretary for Headquarters Operations. As a retired Army officer, former chief of the U.S.