FAQs

Yes, the remains of American war dead are buried at these cemeteries. The interment of remains of World War I and World War II war dead at permanent overseas American military cemeteries was made by the American Graves Registration Service, Quartermaster General of the War Department. When the interment program was completed, the cemeteries were turned over to ABMC for maintenance and administration.

No, the cemetery grounds are not American territory. However, use of the land is granted to the United States in perpetuity, free of any taxes, fees or any other charges. This is done through a treaty between the United States and the relevant host nation. For example, if there is a crime committed within the boundaries of an ABMC site, host nation law applies, and the investigation would be conducted by local police.

All of ABMC’s World War I and World War II cemeteries are closed to burials, except in cases when remains of American war dead are recovered today, or the family of a recently identified unknown chooses interment or reinterment at an ABMC cemetery. Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Philippines, and Corozal American Cemetery, in Panama, are the only two ABMC cemeteries that are still open to new burials of qualified veterans. For more information, please contact us.

Our cemeteries are the resting places of thousands of fallen American service members. To ensure our sacred sites are kept at the highest standard possible, the only animals allowed within cemeteries and memorials are specially trained guide dogs or other service dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities. We ask that owners of these animals maintain proper decorum. Animals needing to relieve themselves must be taken outside of the viewshed of the plot areas and the owner must remove any waste from the site. Ultimately, the cemetery staff will determine whether a service dog may access the cemetery, therefore, visitors wishing to bring service dogs should contact the cemetery prior to visiting. Visitors may contact the cemetery staff via phone or email to get available updates and information. Contact information for ABMC sites is located on ABMC.gov; specifically, on the dedicated page for each cemetery, monument, and memorial.

ABMC cemeteries, monuments, and memorials are pristine national shrines, for the purpose of remembrance and commemoration. With the exception of water, visitors may not consume food and beverages within the cemetery grounds.

No vehicle is allowed inside the cemetery grounds, to include bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, etc. Most of our cemeteries have parking areas, which include racks for visitors to secure their bicycles. ABMC encourages individuals planning to visit any of our sites to contact the cemetery staff via phone or email to get available updates and information. Contact information for ABMC sites is located on ABMC.gov; specifically, on the dedicated page for each cemetery, monument, and memorial.

No, the Normandy American Cemetery is not an appropriate venue for concerts, entertainment events, or public performances that are not commemorative in nature. Events at ABMC sites are extremely limited and must be pre-approved by ABMC. Only commemorative events such as remembrance ceremonies or official military observances which uphold the dignity, respect, and purpose of the site, are permitted at the cemetery. All media request to include filming and photography at Normandy American Cemetery are carefully reviewed to ensure they align with ABMC’s mission.

Personal photos are allowed throughout the cemetery grounds. We remind visitors that our cemeteries are sacred places of remembrance and commemoration, therefore, please make sure that the photos you take are respectful of the site and the men and women buried and commemorated within. Photos of a non-commemorative nature including TikTok videos, wedding photos, political advocacy, publicity, or for influencer promotion are not acceptable. Any videos or photography for commercial/media purposes must be requested in advance through the ABMC public affairs office through a film permit. A film permit is also required for official film and photography shoots, and for any visitors, media or organizations wishing to use a drone.

Smoking is prohibited within the cemetery as well as within our visitor buildings (i.e. reception, visitor centers, chapels and memorials).

To ensure the effectiveness of our operational security efforts, we are unable to provide specific details about the processes and procedures we implement at our sites. Please be assured that the safety and security of our visitors and staff are a top priority for the American Battle Monuments Commission, which has dedicated and experienced security personnel.

Re-enactors in costume/uniform are prohibited.

Additionally, the following restrictions apply at all ABMC sites: 1) Real or replica weapons of any kind are prohibited; 2) tracked vehicles of any kind are prohibited 3) if antique military vehicles are parked in ABMC parking lots, drivers must place an oil drain pan on the ground under the vehicle. Cemetery staff has the ultimate authority to determine what is acceptable and visitors should contact the cemetery for clarification prior to visiting. Contact information for ABMC sites is located on ABMC.gov; specifically, on the dedicated page for each cemetery, monument, and memorial.

Actively serving military personnel, or veterans, may wear their uniform and/or earned decorations in accordance with current military regulations.

ABMC sites are sacred commemorative shrines. We ask visitors to respect the reflective and peaceful intent of our sites in guiding their behavior and dress. Any behavior, or dress, that is considered disrespectful by cemetery staff will be communicated to visitors. Visitors who persist in disrespectful behavior will be required to leave the site.

Sand is usually placed by our staff into the inscription of a headstone when relatives or visitors come to honor a service member and lay flowers at the grave. It is not done on a regular basis, does not damage the headstone in any way, and is never done without the presence and prior permission of ABMC staff. Sand is usually taken off at the end of the day, or the next day as to not damage the headstone. In addition, our staff cleans and washes headstones regularly to ensure the marble remains in pristine condition.

The practice of placing sand in the inscription of a headstone is done only with permission and in the presence of ABMC staff. We ask that visitors not bring their own sand for this purpose as it may stain or damage the marble.

We encourage visitors to let cemetery staff know before placing any objects at a gravesite. Visitors are welcome to honor those buried at ABMC cemeteries by bringing natural flowers. Visitors may also place small, clean stones or pebbles on Star of David headstones, in keeping with Jewish tradition. However, we kindly ask visitors not to place any non-organic material, artificial flowers, printed photos, candles, or coins on/in front of headstones to avoid any stain or discoloration on the marble or grass. To protect the marble and maintain the cemetery, ABMC staff may remove any of these items after a short period of time. If you have questions about an item you would like to leave, please speak with cemetery staff during your visit.

ABMC’s official records include only burial or memorialization information for service members honored at our cemeteries and memorials. To see if a service member is commemorated at one of our cemeteries, please visit our online database: https://weremember.abmc.gov.

ABMC does not manage personnel or individual deceased personnel files. For those records, please contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which maintains the official military personnel and casualty files for all service members, whether or not they are buried at an ABMC site: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration holds the records of all discharged military personnel. Veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans can order copies of records online. Inquiries from individuals other than veterans and family members must be submitted in writing to the National Archives and Records Administration.

National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Telephone: 314-801-0800

ABMC does not maintain records relating to discharged veterans of the U.S. armed forces. You might find the information you are seeking by placing an advertisement in veterans’ magazines that have special reunion columns, or by searching online for relevant unit organizations.

We control the design and construction of U.S. military monuments and markers in foreign countries by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, and encourage the maintenance of such monuments and markers by their sponsors.

Without confirmed information to the contrary, a War Department Review Board established the official date of death of those missing as one year and a day from the date on which the individual was placed in missing status.

No, all recoverable remains from the Korean and Vietnam Wars were returned to the United States for interment at national or private cemeteries.

Our database contains only the names of those interred or memorialized at ABMC cemeteries and memorials. The database does not contain the names of war dead returned to the United States for permanent interment at national or private cemeteries.

ABMC is authorized to receive funds and in-kind donations and gifts from private sources categorized as charitable contributions and under certain circumstances. Please send an email to [email protected] so we can redirect your request to the person in charge of such requests within ABMC. Donations can also be made to ABMC’s non-profit partner, the American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF), for indirect support of ABMC operations and other projects. Please visit www.abmf.org for more information.

ABMC is authorized to receive in-kind donations and gifts from private sources categorized as charitable contributions. Requests for donating historical military artifacts are subject to the approval of a scientific committee according to specific criteria. If you would like to donate such artfacts, please send an email to [email protected].