American Cemetery Margraten
Limburg
The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, located near the village of Margraten in Limburg, is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands dedicated to World War II soldiers. Established in 1944 during the push of the Ninth United States Army into the Netherlands, it serves as the final resting place for more than 8,000 American servicemen. The cemetery spans 26.5 hectares and is marked by a Court of Honor with a reflecting pool, a chapel, and a visitors' building housing a museum with engraved maps detailing American military operations in the region. The cemetery's layout reflects solemn respect, with uniform white crosses and Stars of David marking graves. A statue by Joseph Kiselewski symbolizes a grieving mother, underscoring the human cost of war. The cemetery is administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission and stands as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the United States and the Netherlands.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to visit during spring to early autumn for the best weather and to experience the cemetery's serene atmosphere. Tickets are not required, but respectful behavior is essential. The cemetery is accessible by local bus #350 from Maastricht and Aachen, which stops directly in front of the site every 15 minutes during operating hours. Advance planning for accommodation in nearby Maastricht or Valkenburg is recommended. The visitor center offers detailed historical information, enhancing the experience.
Interesting facts
- •The cemetery contains over 8,000 American soldiers who died during World War II.
- •It covers 26.5 hectares (65 acres) on land that was once prime agricultural fields and an historic Roman road.
- •The first burials began during Thanksgiving 1944, conducted by largely African American military units.
- •A statue by Joseph Kiselewski representing a grieving mother stands at the chapel tower facing the reflecting pool.
- •The cemetery is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands and is administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
History
The cemetery was established in November 1944 under Lt.
Col.
Joseph Shomon as the Ninth U.S.
Army advanced into the Netherlands.
Initially, it was planned to accommodate over 20,000 war dead, but post-war repatriations and relocations reduced the number to about 8,000.
The land was provided by the Dutch government and was previously farmland.
The cemetery was ceremonially opened on Memorial Day 1946 and officially dedicated in 1960 by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
Over the years, German and Soviet war dead buried nearby were relocated to other cemeteries, consolidating the site as a dedicated American military cemetery.
Place Guide
Court of Honor and Reflecting Pool
The entrance area features the Court of Honor with a reflecting pool, creating a solemn and contemplative space for visitors to honor the fallen.
Chapel and Statue1960
The chapel tower houses a statue by Joseph Kiselewski depicting a grieving mother mourning her lost son, embodying the sorrow of war.
Visitors' Building and Museum1960
The museum contains three engraved operational maps designed by Lewis York, a Yale graduate, illustrating the movements of American forces in the region during World War II.
Contact
Phone: 043 458 1208
