During Memorial Day weekend ABMC paid tribute to the more than 200,000 individuals commemorated at these overseas cemeteries.
Memorial Day–the federal holiday in which we honor our veterans and remember those who died while in the armed services–originated in the aftermath of the Civil War.
More than 500,000 Americans lost their lives in World War I and World War II defending democracy on soil and water far from the United States. The sacrifice of these men and women will be honored during ceremonies at America’s military cemeteries overseas, where more than 200,000 of these individuals are buried and memorialized.
Throughout World War II, the 100th and 442nd fought with courage, neatly encapsulated in the unit motto––“Go for broke.” By the end of the war, the unit had received more than 18,000 individual decorations.
In these last days of World War II in Europe, American soldiers continued to fight bravely. One such soldier was Pfc. Charley Havlat, who was shot in a German ambush on May 7. Havlat is considered to be the last American killed in the European Theater of Operations.
During his time in Asia, President Barack Obama visited Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines to honor the fallen.
Nearly seven decades ago in the midst of World War II, Allied forces landed on the Normandy coastline on June 6, 1944 with the aim to liberate France, and then advance to Germany.
During his time in Europe, President Barack Obama visited Flanders Field American Cemetery in Belgium to honor the fallen.
The American Battle Monuments Commission is opening to the public a new visitor center at the Pointe du Hoc in Cricqueville en Bessin, France on March 15, 2014.