First collection highlights American Battle Monuments Commission, Perot Foundation aviation collaboration

ARLINGTON, Virginia (March 4, 2026) — Today, on the anniversary of its creation in 1923, the American Battle Monuments Commission launched its Online Catalog providing virtual access to thousands of historic photos, blueprints, furniture, art, and architectural molds at www.abmc.gov.

Each of the pieces in the ABMC Online Catalog tells a part of ABMC’s story, spanning more than 100 years. In addition to the virtual 360 tours of ABMC’s 26 cemeteries, the Online Catalog will allow those who cannot visit in person access to ABMC’s history.

“Sharing these items with the world helps us to further honor the achievements of the U.S. armed forces by preserving their legacies, as well as the sites at which they rest,” said Charlotte Meunier Josnard, ABMC museum curator. “We are proud to share this collection with the public, and we’re eager for them to explore the richness behind these pristine sites.”

The first artifacts highlighted in the Curator’s Collection include items related to the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, the flying corps, and the pilots buried and memorialized at the site. The items featured include those from ABMC’s own collection, provided by the American Battle Monuments Foundation, as well as those on loan from The Dennis Gordon Lafayette Escadrille and Flying Corps Collection, courtesy of Sarah and Ross Perot Jr.

“Sarah and I are proud to support the American Battle Monuments Commission in preserving and sharing this important history,” said Ross Perot Jr. “Honoring the service and sacrifice of our military has long been a commitment of our family. We are honored to help recognize those who serve and to ensure their legacy continues to educate and inspire future generations.”

The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery commemorates the birthplace of American combat aviation, and serves as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship during World War I. This site honors the American volunteer pilots who flew with French squadrons during the Great War and is the final resting place for some of America’s first combat aviators and their French officers.

This first Curator’s Collection release from the Online Catalog includes an original aircraft skin painted with the Lafayette Escadrille insignia, personal photos and items from the pilots, and the uniform of 2nd Lt. Meredith L. Dowd, who is buried at the site. Each month, ABMC will highlight a new curated collection from the Online Catalog.

The American Battle Monuments Commission honors 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.