Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, Luxembourg

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the valor and sacrifices made by American forces during World War II. Situated in Hamm, a district of Luxembourg City, this hallowed ground is the final resting place for 5,076 American military dead, many of whom lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge and the advance to the Rhine River.

Sprawling across 50.5 acres, the cemetery was established on December 29, 1944, by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army while Allied forces were stemming the German Ardennes Offensive, more commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. It was dedicated in 1960 and is now maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The memorial consists of a chapel and a peristyle with a large granite obelisk. The chapel is adorned with beautiful mosaics and carvings that signify the achievements of American armed forces in the region. The names of 371 Americans whose remains were never found or identified are inscribed upon the walls of the peristyle, a somber reminder of the cost of war.

One of the most notable burials in the Luxembourg American Cemetery is General George S. Patton Jr., the legendary U.S. Army commander. Following his request to be buried with his troops, his grave is prominently positioned among the ranks of soldiers he led through the European Theater.

Visitors to the cemetery can walk the paths among the rows of white crosses and Stars of David, reflecting on the immense sacrifice represented there. The site also features a visitor center where one can learn more about the individuals buried at the cemetery and the historical context of their service.