Cultural integration

American Cemetery in Luxembourg

One of the historical sites and popular places to visit for tourists has an incredible history of foundation and has played several roled throughout different times. Find out more about the American Cemetery in our dive in.

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In the picturesque countryside of Luxembourg is nestled a tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom — an American military cemetery.

General information about the American military cemetery

The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944, by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army as these troops halted the advance of Nazi Germany in the Ardennes during World War II. Beneath the emerald green grass, 5076 American heroes who fell during the Battle of the Bulge and the advance to the Rhine from the winter of 1944 to the spring of 1945 found their eternal rest. These American troops fought both in the air and on the ground. The cemetery was chosen as a temporary burial site.

American Cemetery in Luxembourg. Source: wikipedia.org

Its initial construction was completed on December 16, 1949. In 1951, Luxembourg donated the land to the American Battle Monuments Commission in perpetuity, and the construction work was completed in the spring of 1960.

Among the more than 5,000 soldiers buried at this cemetery there is only one woman: Nancy Leo, a nurse from Maryland. She was killed in an automobile accident near Paris in 1945. Her grave is numbered H-9-71.

American Cemetery

50 Val du Scheid, 2517 Hamm Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Free

Opening hours of the American Cemetery

The cemetery is open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for December 25 and January 1. Be sure to check the hours before you visit — sometimes they change. Phone: +(352) 43 17 27.

Excursion format

Cemetery staff will answer your questions, escort you to a specific grave, and give you a free tour. The average time a visit to the memorial takes 1-2 hours.

Directions to the Luxembourg American Cemetery

You can reach the Luxembourg American Cemetery by Shuttle Luxexpo public bus, which runs every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Luxexpo, in Kirchberg, and the cemetery, in Hamm.

Cemetery complex: what can you find there

The 50.5-acre site is located three kilometers east of Luxembourg. Of this territory, 17 acres are taken by carefully manicured lawns. The surrounding woods take the remaining 33.5 acres. The landscape of the memorial is lined with spruce, beech, and oak trees. Hydrangeas and bindweed are planted along the walls at the entrance, and the grounds are planted with rhododendrons and beech hedges. There are four fountains on the territory. To the left of the entrance gate is a visitor center where brochures and guides are available.

Memorial Scheme. Source: nhd.org

The Luxembourg American Cemetery is one of fourteen American military cemeteries established outside the United States.

On the east side of the facade is the USA coat of arms. On the west side is the coat of arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the dates 1941-1945 and the text

The chapel is decorated with inscriptions on its side walls

you will find a seemingly endless field with a graveyard

The names and ranks of the 371 missing fighters are engraved on the two columns of the courtyard.

Memorial Chapel

The Graveyard

Wall of the Missing

Historical overview

One of the main persons of those events is General Patton. General Paton's background: You'd be hard-pressed to find a 17-year-old who had half a clue about what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. A young talent, Patton already had an idea of his life's path at the age of 17. He spent his youth reading about military history. In particular, George was fascinated by the stories of conquerors such as Julius Caesar, Hannibal, and Napoleon Bonaparte.

wikipedia.org

Nazi Germany Occupation of the Ardennes

On December 19, 1944, Nazi Germany occupied the Ardennes. At the time, General George Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army, was serving in the Alsace region of eastern France.

General Paton's decision to go to Bastogne

The general made the decision to be in Bastogne by Christmas 1944 at the latest. It was a bold decision: the winter was harsh, the roads were icy and vehicles could not move. General Patton and his soldiers had to walk a hundred miles with heavy tanks.

Breaking the encirclement of Nazi Germany

133,178 vehicles traveled two million miles from Alsace to Bastogne, carrying 41,933 tons of supplies. On December 26, the United States Third Armored Division reached its headquarters, breaking the encirclement of Nazi Germany and freeing the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division.

Victory in the Battle of the Bulge

After the war, General George Patton was awarded hero status. Victory in the Battle of the Bulge seriously weakened the German Army, but at the cost of the lives of many brave American soldiers.

Death of General Patton

Commander-in-Chief Patton died in a car accident in Germany in late 1945. General Patton was buried in Luxembourg with his fellow soldiers as per his own prior request.