History of Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery

Background

Within the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial in France, which covers 130.5 acres, rests the largest number of our military dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I.

The immense array of headstones rises in long regular rows upward beyond a wide central pool to the chapel that crowns the ridge. A beautiful bronze screen separates the chapel foyer from the interior, which is decorated with stained-glass windows portraying American unit insignia; behind the altar are flags of the principal Allied nations.

On either side of the chapel are memorial loggias. One panel of the west loggia contains a map of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Inscribed on the remaining panels of both loggias are Tablets of the Missing with almost 1,000 names, including those from the U.S. expedition to northern Russia in 1918-1919. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

A renovated, 1,600-square-foot visitor center reopened in November 2016. Through interpretive exhibits that incorporate personal stories, photographs, films, and interactive displays, visitors will gain a better understanding of the critical importance of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as it fits into the Great War.

Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is located next to the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in the Meuse region of Northeast France. The cemetery is 26 miles northwest of the city of Verdun. An alternative to GPS coordinates, users can input Rue de General Pershing in the city of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.

By the summer of 1918, U.S. and Allied counteroffensives had halted German advances on the Western Front.

The Meuse-Argonne Campaign

“The success stands out as one of the very great achievements in the history of American Arms.”

• Sept. 26, 1918: Following an intense artillery barrage, U.S. First Army launched its assault at 5:30 a.m.
• Sept. 27: U.S. 79th Division captured Montfaucon, the highest point in the region and a key German stronghold. German reinforcements surged along the front.
• Oct. 3: First Army consolidated positions gained since Sept. 26.
• Oct. 14: The offensive’s second phase began. U.S. forces seized heights of Romagne and Cunel.
• Oct. 31: U.S. and French forces completed clearing the Argonne Forest.
• Nov. 1: Final phase of the offensive began. U.S. V Corps seized key heights around Barricourt, while other units crossed the Meuse River and advanced across the Woevre Plain.
• Nov. 7: U.S. I Corps captured strategic heights on the south bank of the Meuse River, overlooking Sedan.
• Nov. 11, 1918: The Armistice took effect at 11 a.m., bringing an end to hostilities in World War I.

Vintage Poster

Vintage posters convey the beauty, tranquility, and solemnity of the place as a sign of respect for those who fought so that we can live free today.