3 things to know about Audenarde Monument 

Nestled in the heart of the city of Audernarde, Belgium, the Audenarde Monument commemorates the service of American soldiers who helped liberate Belgium during the final days of World War I. Dedicated to the men of the 37th and 91st Divisions as well as the 53rd Field Artillery Brigade, the monument stands near the battlefield where they fought alongside Belgian forces in October and November 1918. It tells the story of a unique partnership between American and Belgian troops during the closing chapter of the war. 

Under the King of Belgium’s command 

The American troops honored at this American Battle Monuments Commission monument served under an unusual commander: King Albert I of Belgium. In October 1918, the 37th and 91st Divisions joined the Belgian-led Group of Armies of Flanders and participated in the offensive that pushed German forces eastward toward the Scheldt River. Few American units in World War I fought under the command of a foreign monarch, making this a remarkable chapter in their history. 

Fighting until the end of war 

The soldiers commemorated by the monument remained in combat until the final hours of World War I. After advancing through the region and crossing the Scheldt River, the divisions returned to the front-line Nov. 10, 1918. They were east of Audenarde when the Armistice took effect at 11 a.m. the following day, ending more than four years of war.  

Honoring 40,000 Americans 

The monument commemorates approximately 40,000 American troops who fought in the region between Oct. 30 and Nov. 11, 1918. Built of golden-yellow limestone and adorned with the shield of the United States and stone eagles, it serves as a lasting tribute to the Americans who helped secure the liberation of Belgium during the final offensive of the war.  

The American Battle Monuments Commission’s mission is to honor the service of the U.S. armed forces by creating and maintaining memorial sites, offering commemorative services, and facilitating the education of their legacy to future generations. It was founded in 1923 following World War I, and its 26 cemeteries and 31 monuments honor the service men and women who fought and perished during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as some who fought during the Mexican American War. 

The American Battle Monuments Commission sites are a constant reminder of Gen. John J. Pershing’s promise that, “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”