Lorraine American Cemetery

The Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial is located just outside the town of St. Avold in France, near the border with Germany. Completed in 1960, the cemetery covers an area of 113.5 acres and is the largest American military cemetery of World War II in Europe. It is managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. A total of 10,481 American servicemen are buried here, the majority of whom served in the U.S. Seventh Army’s infantry and armored divisions and cavalry units. Most of these soldiers lost their lives during military operations against German forces between 1944 and 1945.

The headstones in the cemetery are arranged in nine plots following an elliptical pattern that extends toward the hilly terrain of eastern Lorraine. This layout harmonizes with the natural topography of the site. The headstones are made of standard white marble and shaped like crosses. The headstones of Jewish servicemen are marked with the Star of David symbol. Five of those buried here were recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. Army.

^{Lorraine American Cemetery(}Cemeteries Memorial⁾

The memorial building, situated on a plateau to the west of the cemetery, is constructed of limestone and stands 67 feet tall. On its front facade stands a large statue of Saint Nabor, gazing silently toward the graves. Saint Nabor, traditionally regarded as the patron saint of Roman soldiers, serves as a symbolic representation honoring the fallen. Inside the memorial, a chapel illuminated by natural sunlight features wall maps made of ceramic tiles depicting military operations across Western Europe. These maps provide detailed representations of the battles fought around the St. Avold region.

^{Lorraine American Cemetery(}American Battle Monuments Commission⁾

On both sides of the memorial building and parallel to its front facade are the Tables of the Missing, inscribed with the names of 444 servicemen who were reported missing in action and whose remains were never recovered. Each name is engraved on white marble, as on the headstones. Badges are used to mark the names of those who were initially reported missing but later identified.

The servicemen buried here came from every state and region of the United States and represent diverse racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The entire cemetery is surrounded by wooded areas, creating a tranquil and solemn atmosphere. This design ensures the preservation of both the historical and natural character of the site. Interpretive signs and informational panels have also been placed throughout the cemetery to provide visitors with contextual information.