Sicily-Rome American Cemetery 

and Memorial

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

WWW.ABMC.GOV

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UNITED STATES

OF AMERICA
OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 1

PLANNING A VISIT

HOURS

The cemetery is open to the public daily, except on December 25 and January 1. 

It is open on all other U.S. and Italian holidays.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 1 to September 30, 

and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. It is open on U.S. and Italian holidays.

LOCATION

GPS coordinates: N41 27.918 E12 39.503

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

Piazzale J.F. Kennedy, 1

00048 Nettuno Rome – Italy

Email: sicilyrome@abmc.gov

Tel: (+39) 06.988.0284

The Sicily-Rome American Cemetery lies at the northern edge of the city 

of Nettuno, which is three miles south of Anzio and 38 miles south of Rome.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION/PARKING

To reach the cemetery from Rome by train, there is an hourly train service from 

Rome’s central train station to Nettuno. Nettuno is the last stop on the train’s route. 

The cemetery is approximately a 10-minute walk from the train station.

Cover: ABMC photo/Don Savage

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery 

and Memorial

THEY DIED THERE VALIANTLY AND HEROICALLY, GIVING THEIR LIVES 

THAT PEOPLES OF EUROPE MIGHT BE LIBERATED FROM TYRANNY. ... 

THEY REST TRANQUIL AND SECURE IN THE FRIENDLY SOIL OF ITALY. 

MAY OUR GREAT DEBT TO THEM, AND ALL OTHERS WHO DIED IN THE 

CAUSE OF FREEDOM, SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL PEOPLES TO 

DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO FREEDOM AND LASTING PEACE.

 —PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER’S 

MESSAGE AT THE DEDICATION OF THE SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY. 

The Sicily-Rome American Cemetery commemorates American servicemembers fallen from the campaigns in Sicily and Italy through the liberation of Rome. They gave their lives in the liberation of Sicily (July and 

August, 1943); in the landings in the Salerno area (September 1943); and in 

the subsequent heavy fighting northward; in the landings at and occupation 

of the Anzio beachhead (January to May 1944); and in the air and naval 

operations in these regions.

The U.S. seal surmounts the cemetery’s entry gates. Immediately inside to the right are the visitor 

building and the visitor center. (ABMC photo/Rich Arseneault)
2 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 3

FROM SICILY TO ROME

At the Casablanca Conference in January 1943, Allied leaders decided 

to follow successes in North Africa by invading Sicily in July. They then 

crossed into Italy. Their main objectives were:

« To open the Mediterranean Sea for Allied shipping, 

« Force Italy out of the war, 

« Divert German forces threatening Russia, and

« Draw Germans from France to prepare for the 

1944 Cross-Channel invasion.

The successful Sicilian Campaign led to the overthrow of the Fascist 

leader Mussolini and an armistice with Italy. It was followed up by campaigns 

that American servicemembers and their allies fought as they moved their 

way up the boot of Italy.

THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN

Having destroyed sizeable German and Italian forces in North Africa, Allied planners 

resolved to seize Sicily. This invasion would 

secure Mediterranean shipping lanes, and 

perhaps force Italy out of the war. 

A preliminary air campaign secured air 

superiority for the Allies. On July 10, 1943 

the U.S. Navy landed the Seventh Army 

with three reinforced divisions around 

Gela on Sicily’s southern coast. The night 

before, Army Air Forces troop carrier wings 

dropped paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne 

to seize advanced positions and disrupt 

defenses. The British Eighth Army landed 

with four reinforced divisions on Sicily’s 

east coast.

The Germans and Italians launched counterattacks, most notably toward 

Gela, but the Allies repulsed them. 

The American Seventh Army moved to capture the city of Palermo, 

the capital of Sicily. The British under Gen. Bernard Montgomery were 

to advance and capture Messina in the northeastern corner to cut off the 

Germans from crossing to the Italian mainland. The Germans and Italians 

made skillful use of rough terrain augmented by minefields, but American 

THE TIMELINE

July 10, 1943: Allied forces landed on Sicily’s southeastern corner.

August 17: The fighting in Sicily ended with the Allied seizure of Messina. 

German and Italian forces were driven out or destroyed.

September 3: The Italian government signed a secret armistice, 

to be announced upon Allied landings in Italy.

September 9: Allied forces landed at Salerno; stiff German resistance ensued.

September 13-14: American airborne units reinforced the Salerno beachhead.

October 1: U.S. Fifth Army entered Naples; British Eighth Army captured 

vital airfields near Foggia.

October-December: Allied forces fought slowly northward 

up the Italian peninsula.

January 22, 1944: Allied forces landed at Anzio, surprising the Germans. 

The Germans hurled three major counterattacks against the beachhead. 

Stubborn U.S. forces secured the beachhead. Severe combat continued 

along the Gustav Line against well-entrenched German forces.

May 11: Massive Allied assault finally breaks through the Gustav Line.

June 4: American forces liberated Rome. The Germans withdrew to 

defensive lines farther north.

82nd Airborne Division paratroopers at Biazza 

Ridge, Sicily, the second day after their night 

jump on July 9, 1943. (National Archives)
4 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 5

THE NAPLES-FOGGIA CAMPAIGN

After driving the Germans and Italians from 

Sicily, the Allies pushed into mainland Italy.

This would consolidate Italy leaving the war, 

tie down German forces in anticipation of 

the invasion to liberate France, and provide 

strategically located airfields to broaden the 

bombing campaign against Germany. 

The British crossed the Strait of Messina 

on September 3, 1943. The Italians signed 

an armistice that day. The Germans poured 

in troops and disarmed their former Italian 

allies. On September 9, an Anglo American force invaded amphibiously around 

Salerno. The objectives: to cut off German 

forces withdrawing from southern Italy and to seize the port of Naples and 

airfields at Foggia. Major American units included the 3rd, 34th, 36th, and 

45th Infantry Divisions, plus the 1st Armored Division, 82nd Airborne 

Division and the 1st, 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions. 

The Germans resisted around Salerno, and on September 13, counterattacked fiercely with armored forces. The Allies prevailed in desperate 

fighting, and poured more troops ashore.

On September 16, units from the Salerno beachhead and others advancing 

from the toe of Italy linked up. The Germans withdrew to delaying positions 

across the width of Italy. These positions took advantage of mountainous 

terrain and artfully positioned defenses. Severe winter weather made the 

campaign more arduous. 

American units liberated Naples on October 1. They assisted Italian civilians desperately in need of food, clean water, and medical care. American 

engineers had the port operating at capacity within a week. Meanwhile, the 

British secured the Foggia airfields. 

forces in multiple columns overran western Sicily while the British faced 

formidable German forces in the east. Patton then raced across the northern 

part of the island toward Messina.

On July 25, Benito Mussolini was deposed in favor of an Italian government that soon sought peace.

The Germans and Italians decided to withdraw from Sicily. Fighting 

a skillful delaying action, they evacuated 100,000 troops from the island 

during August 3-16. These included three German mechanized divisions, 

their best and most mobile forces. Less mobile infantry and coastal defense 

units generally surrendered. The American 3rd Infantry Division entered 

Messina on the night of August 16. 

THE ANZIO-NETTUNO CAMPAIGN

As the Naples-Foggia Campaign ground 

to a halt, the Allies faced the formidable 

defenses of the Gustav Line. They resolved 

to outflank this line with an amphibious 

landing. American and British forces landed 

ashore near Anzio and Nettuno on January 22, 

1944. The landings were virtually unopposed 

at first, and reinforcements were landed. 

The Germans quickly massed superior 

forces. By January 29, the Germans had assembled 71,500 troops to oppose 

69,000 Allied soldiers. The Allied advance ground to a halt.

On February 3, the Germans launched a series of major counterattacks 

in a determined effort to push the Allies into the sea. The Allied line, ably 

supported by massive naval gunfire and aerial bombardment, held. Both 

sides raced to reinforce their embattled units. 

By mid-February about 100,000 Allies faced about 120,000 Germans 

along a 35-mile front surrounding Anzio. On February 29, the Germans 

launched another major offensive near Cisterna, but the American 3rd 

Infantry Division was prepared for it. Fighting from dug-in positions with 

ample reserves and firing 66,000 artillery rounds in a single day, the Americans repulsed the attack with heavy losses. 

From that point, the campaign settled into a stalemate for almost three 

months, with both sides dug in, roughly equivalent in manpower, and 

unable to dislodge each other. The Allies now had the strategic initiative, 

however, and continued to build up at Anzio and along the Gustav Line 

for further offensives. 

On May 11, the Allies launched a massive offensive into the Gustav Line. 

Forces from the south linked up with those attacking from Anzio on May 25, 

ending the campaign.

Sailors at a 40 mm antiaircraft gun mount 

aboard USS Brooklyn (CL-40) observe USS 

Portent (AM-106) sinking off Anzio after hitting 

a mine on D-Day, January 22, 1944. 

(National Archives)

U.S. Coast Guardsmen and Navy beach 

battalion men hug the shaking beach south 

of Salerno as a Nazi bomber unloads on them. 

September 1943. (Library of Congress)

The Allies fought major battles through 

the winter. By January 17, 1944 they 

approached the formidable Gustav Line, a 

German defensive belt running across Italy 

from the Gulf of Gaeta to the Adriatic Sea.

THE ROME-ARNO CAMPAIGN

The Rome-Arno Campaign covers the Allied advance from the Gustav Line 

to the Arno River from January 22 to September 9, 1944.

As the Anzio struggle was being fought, the Allies mounted major attacks 

on Cassino and Monte Cassino in February and March. The Germans repulsed 

the attacks, with heavy casualties to the Allies forces.
6 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 7

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

The “Tuskegee Airmen” was the popular name given to African-American 

airmen trained in Tuskegee, Alabama during World War II. These were the 

first African-American aviators in the U.S. armed forces.

The 332nd Fighter Group deployed to Italy in February 1944, flying 

P-51 Mustang fighter airplanes. It was tasked with escorting Fifteenth Air 

Force heavy strategic bombers. The group became known as the “Red Tails” 

because of the crimson unit identification on the tail of their aircraft.

THE TWELFTH AIR FORCE

The Twelfth Air Force was activated on August 20, 1942. It was stationed in 

England from August through September 1942, and moved to North Africa 

in November to participate in Operation TORCH, the invasion of Algeria 

and French Morocco. It served with the Northwest African Air Forces from 

February to December 1943, and then with the successor Mediterranean 

Allied Air Forces. It participated in the liberations of Italy and France. After 

November 1, 1943, when the Fifteenth Air Force was established to control 

strategic bombing from the Mediterranean, the Twelfth Air Force concentrated on tactical air support to ground forces.

Two columns of U.S. soldiers march northward 

along Italy’s highway 6—the famous “Road to 

Rome”—at a position south of Cassino, 

January 31, 1944. (Library of Congress)

Guidon bearers of the 100th Battalion, 442nd 

Regimental Combat Team. The Japanese 

American unit was among those reaching the 

Arno River area on July 23, 1944. 

(National Archives)

Fifteenth Air Force B-24 Liberator bombers fly 

over the Concordia Vega Oil refinery in Ploesti, 

Romania, after dropping their bomb loads on 

the oil cracking plant. May 31, 1944. 

(Library of Congress)

Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (right), commander 

of the 332nd Fighter Group, and Major Edward 

C. Gleed, scan the sky while standing next to 

a P-51 Mustang fighter. Ramitelli, Italy, March 

1945. (Library of Congress)

The Allies broke through the Gustav Line on May 13. They pushed on to 

link up with the Anzio beachhead and overrun subsequent German defensive lines. On June 4, 1944 American units entered Rome and liberated the 

first European capital city of the war.

After that defeat, the Germans struggled north of Rome to delay the 

Allied advance and escape encirclements. But the Allies advanced steadily 

northward across Italy, reaching the Arno River area, including Pisa and 

Florence, in late July and early August.

After advancing almost 300 miles, the Allied drive stalled. The reason: 

seven divisions were withdrawn for the invasion of southern France, occurring on August 15 and after. The divisions remaining in Italy redeployed 

and reconstituted.

THE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE

The U.S. Army Air Forces established the Fifteenth Air Force on November 

1, 1943 in Tunis, Tunisia. It was to serve the Mediterranean Theater of Operations as a strategic air force. General Jimmy Doolittle was its first commander. Operating out of Southern Italy, most notably the Foggia Airfield, 

the Fifteenth Air Force worked in coordination with the Eighth Air Force 

and RAF Bomber Command based in the 

United Kingdom to conduct strategic bombing missions into Axis occupied Europe. 

Starting with five bomb groups and three 

fighter groups, the Fifteenth Air Force grew 

by January 1944 to a dozen bomb and four 

fighter groups. The Fifteenth Air Force 

famously flew missions against the Ploesti 

oil fields before Romania capitulated to 

the Allies in August 1944. These considerably reduced Axis oil production overall, 

although the earliest attacks in 1943 took 

devastating losses. The Fifteenth Air Force 

conducted its final bombing mission on 

May 1, 1945. On September 15, 1945, the 

Fifteenth Air Force was inactivated.

FOGGIA AIRFIELD

Before World War II, the Italian Air Force 

built a network of military airfields around 

Foggia, Italy. The Germans seized the airfields in September 1943 after the armistice 

between Italy and the Allies. The U.S. Army 

Air Forces and Royal Air Force heavily 

bombed the airfields, and then liberated the 

province by ground attack in October 1943.

After the capture and subsequent repair 

of destroyed facilities, the Fifteenth Air 

Force based its groups in the area. The 

Foggia complex supported heavy bomber 

attacks into France, Germany, Austria, and 

the Balkans. These attacks were often conducted in conjunction with bombers departing from Great Britain. Foggia 

became a critical Allied command center for air operations and also played 

an important role in ground and sea based operations as well.
8 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 9

THE CEMETERY

The cemetery sits in the zone of advance of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division 

during the Anzio-Nettuno campaign beginning in January 1944. A temporary wartime cemetery was established here on January 24, 1944, two days 

after the units of the VI Corps landed on the beaches nearby.

Just inside the cemetery gates, straight ahead is a large elliptical reflecting 

pool with dimensions of 82 yards by 66 yards. The island in its center contains a cenotaph of bronze-colored travertine in the shape of a sarcophagus. 

It is flanked by groups of tall Italian cypress trees. 

 Within the 10 grave plots (A through J) there are 490 unknown burials, 

two Medal of Honor recipients, 25 sets of brothers, and 17 women. Every 

grave is marked with a white marble headstone: 122 with a Star of David 

for those of the Jewish faith, and a Latin cross for 7,738 others. The backs of 

the headstones are inscribed with the service numbers of the decedents. As 

in all ABMC cemeteries, the burials are not separated by rank; officers and 

enlisted men are interred side-by-side.

The reflecting pool with cenotaph. (ABMC photo/Rich Arseneault)

The graves area is seen looking eastward from the Memorial. (ABMC photo/Rich Arsenault)
10 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 11

THE MALL 

The center mall divides the 10 burial plots. The plots are lettered from “A” 

to “J”, five on each side of the central mall. Plots A, C, E, G and I are on the 

left (south) side of the mall and B, D, F, H and J are on the right (north). 

The headstones of 7,861 of American military war dead are arranged 

in gentle arcs on broad green lawns beneath rows of Roman pines. They 

represent 35 percent of the burials which were originally made in Sicily 

and southern Italy.
12 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 13

THE BURIAL AREA

Each grave plot (from “A” to “J”) is enclosed by a pittosporum hedge. The 

paths of grass between the plots are lined with Roman pines.

Within the plots, each grave is marked with a white marble headstone, a 

Star of David for those of the Jewish faith and a Latin cross for all others. Of 

the graves, 488 contain the remains of 490 unknown dead that could not be 

identified.

The burial plots are lined with pittosporum hedges and Roman pine 

trees and contain 7,860 white Lasa marble headstones. The Lasa marble is 

harvested in northern Italy.. All American World War II military overseas 

cemeteries use this material to honor the noble sacrifice made by those 

commemorated within.

President George H. W. Bush commemorated Memorial Day at the 

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery on May 28, 1989. Upon seeing the beauty 

of the marble headstones he requested to receive the same type of headstone upon his death. During the President’s speech he made note of Medal 

of Honor recipient Sylvester Antolak as well as the Kaspervik brothers. 

He said, “William and Preston Kaspervik are buried here in soil that they 

helped free. Brothers in life, brothers in arms, brother in eternity.” (George 

Bush Presidential Library and Museum) The Kasperviks are among 25 sets of 

brothers interred here.

THE VISITOR CENTER 

Dedicated in 2014, the 2,500 square-foot 

visitor center is adjacent to the visitor 

reception and family room located just to 

the right (North) of the cemetery entrance. 

The visitor center provides visitors the 

opportunity to meet members of the cemetery staff. They are happy to answer visitors’ 

questions and to provide information about 

the cemetery.

The exhibit contains interactive displays, 

unit histories, artifacts, maps, photographs, 

static displays and a short film that enable visitors to gain a better understanding of the Allied campaigns in southern Italy and the entire American 

War effort during World War II.

The interactive displays (or touch screen kiosks) offer an interactive 

timeline that allows visitors to view events of the war across the globe in 

chronological order. At each display, the short film plays when prompted. 

It includes a tactical summary of operations in southern Italy, in addition 

to profiles of several men and women commemorated at the cemetery. 

Unit histories are also accessible to visitors.

The exhibit concludes in the Sacrifice Gallery which honors additional 

men and women who sacrificed their lives in World War II and are commemorated at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.

Also present in the visitor center are permanent exhibitions with panels 

and historical artifacts.

Restrooms are conveniently located in the visitor center.

Brothers William and Preston Kaspervik are buried side by side in Plot F, Row 6, graves 12 and 13. 

Their brother Donald was killed in a training accident and is buried in the United States. 

(ABMC photo/Rich Arsenault)

Interactive touchscreen kiosk stations enable visitors to explore the details of the several 

campaigns represented here. (ABMC Photo/Don Savage)

Entrance to the visitor center.

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arsenault)
14 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 15

The memorial viewed from the east. (ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

NOTABLE BURIALS

« Robert T. Waugh. First Lieutenant, U.S. Army. 399th Infantry Regiment, 

85th Infantry Division. Medal of Honor. Died: May 19, 1944. Grave 

Location: Plot H Row 13 Grave 37. The following excerpt is from 

1st Lt. Waugh’s MOH citation for fearless repeated actions near 

Tremensuoli, Italy on May 11 and 14, 1944:

The fearless actions of 1st Lt. Waugh broke the Gustav Line 

at that point, neutralizing 6 bunkers and 2 pillboxes and he 

was personally responsible for the death of 30 of the enemy 

and the capture of 25 others. He was later killed in action 

in Italy, while leading his platoon in an attack.

« Sylvester Antolak, Sergeant, U.S. Army. 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd 

Infantry Division. Medal of Honor. Died: May 24, 1944. Buried at: 

Plot C Row 12 Grave 13. The following excerpt is from Sgt. Antolak’s 

MOH citation for gallantry near Cisterna, Italy on May 24, 1944:

By his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic 

devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly responsible 

for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machinegun, 

and clearing the path for his company to advance.

« Ellen G. Ainsworth. Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army. 56th Evacuation 

Hospital. Silver Star. Died: February 16, 1944. Grave Location: Plot 

C Row 11 Grave 22. This excerpt is from her citation for gallantry 

during enemy shelling February 10, 1944:

Despite the extreme danger, she calmly directed the placing 

of surgical patients on the ground to lessen the danger of 

further injury. by her disregard for her own safety and her 

calm assurance, she instilled confidence in her assistants 

and her patients, thereby preventing serious panic and injury.

Robert T. Waugh’s headstone.

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

Sylvester Antolak’s headstone.

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

THE “BROTHERS IN ARMS” SCULPTURE

“The “Brothers In Arms” sculpture represents 

an American soldier arm in arm with an 

American sailor. The statue symbolizes the 

fraternity between the U.S. Army and Navy 

that was essential to the success of the three 

amphibious assaults in Italy during World 

War II. The two servicemembers can be 

distinguished via small differences in their 

identification tags, belt buckles, and trouser 

pockets. The bronze sculpture is by Paul 

Manship of New York. It was cast at the 

Battaglia Foundry in Milan. The “Brothers in Arms” sculpture is the central 

feature of the peristyle. 

(ABMC photo/Rich Arseneault)

THE MEMORIAL

The memorial is located at the upper end of the grassy central mall on the far 

west portion of the cemetery. The memorial contains a chapel and a map room. 

It is built of noble materials such as travertine and Rosso Levanto marble. 

The structure is rich in works of art and architecture that express America’s 

reverence for her fallen servicemembers. The chapel and map room are 

connected by an open colonnade surrounding the courtyard where the 

“Brothers In Arms” sculpture is located. 

Two 80 foot tall flagstaffs flank the memorial on both sides.
16 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 17

THE ALTAR

On the altar of golden Broccatello Siena 

marble is a triptych of Serravezzo white 

marble from the Carrara region designed by 

Paul Manship. Carved in relief on the side 

panels of the triptych are angels holding 

palm branches. The left panel bears a quotation from Psalm 8:3-5 with reference to the 

sculptured ceiling dome. 

CHAPEL INTERIOR: THE CEILING

The ceiling dome sculpture, 22 feet in diameter, was designed by Gugler, 

Kimball & Husted and executed by Paul Manship and by Bruno Bearzi of 

Florence. The medieval signs of the Zodiac in high-relief represent the constellations. The planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn occupy the same relative 

positions that they occupied at 0200 hours on January 22, 1944, the historic 

moment when the first American and British troops landed on the beaches of Anzio. The more important stars in each constellation are shown as 

points of light on the celestial dome.

Inscribed around the base of the dome is the text:

O ye stars of heaven bless ye the lord praise him and magnify 

him forever.

The chapel ceiling dome structure. (ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

“The Dedication Tablet” 

(ABMC photo/Rich Arseneault)

“Remembrance.” (ABMC photo/Don Savage)

Brigadier General Charles L. Keerans, Jr. is the 

highest –ranking among the 3,095 individuals 

whose names and information are inscribed 

here. (ABMC Photo/Don Savage)

The altar, flanked by Tablets of the Missing.

(ABMC Photo/Don Savage)

THE DEDICATION TABLET

These tablets reflect the importance the 

United States of America places in honoring 

those who have given their lives in service 

to their country.

1941 1945

in

proud remembrance

of the achievements

of her sons

and in humble tribute

to their sacrifices

this memorial

has been erected by The

United States of America

On the east façade of the chapel is a 

sculptured panel in relief of white Carrara 

marble symbolizing “Remembrance.” It 

portrays an angel bestowing a laurel wreath 

upon the graves of those who gave their 

lives for their country. 

TABLETS OF THE MISSING

The interior chapel walls of white Carrara 

marble are engraved with the name, rank, 

organization and state of entry into military 

service of 3,095 missing in the region:

U.S. Army and Army Air Forces: 2,032

U.S. Navy: 1,063

These servicemen and women were Missing in Action or were lost or buried at sea. 

They represent every state in the Union and 

the District of Columbia.

The right panel bears a text from T. T. Higham’s translation of “The Greek 

Dead at Thermopylae” by Simonides.

Carved in relief on the center panel, flying against a background of clouds 

is the archangel Michael, sheathing his sword while four archangels below 

him proclaim victory. Beneath them is the universal prayer: 

Peace on earth good will among men.

On the reverse of the center panel is carved the Angel of Peace. A cross in 

metal filigree stands before the triptych on the altar.

Engraved on the left or east end of the altar is a cross; engraved on the 

right end are the Tablets of Moses.
18 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION OVERSEAS CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS 19

NORTH GARDEN

North of the memorial adjacent to the museum, is a more formal garden 

planted in parterre arrangements with beds of polyantha roses, geraniums, 

white oleanders, purple bougainvillea and other flowers.

At the far end of the garden is a Baveno granite fountain consisting of 

a large-semi-circular bowl on a wide pedestal. It was carved from a single 

piece of granite quarried near the north end of Lake Maggiore. Cascades of 

water flow from the bowl into a low basin.

The map on the east wall is named “The Landing at Anzio/Nettuno and the Capture of Rome.”

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

A statue of Orpheus rests on the armillary 

sphere in the South Garden.

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

The granite fountain in the North Garden

ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

The North Garden. 

(ABMC Photo/Rich Arseneault)

“Resurrection” panel. (ABMC Photo/Don Savage)

THE MAP ROOM

The map room is entered through bronze gates. An octagonal table inset 

with a circular relief map of Italy occupies the center of the room. The 

map is of bronze, inset with marble mosaic tile in various shades of blue 

depicting the sea areas. It was fabricated by Bruno Bearzi from information 

supplied by ABMC. It shows in general outline the American military operations in Sicily and Italy during the period 1943-45.

The maps on the east and west walls were 

designed by Carlo Ciampaglia of Middle 

Valley, New Jersey and executed in true 

fresco by Leonetto Tintori of Florence. This 

procedure involves the mixing of pigments 

with the plaster as it is applied to the wall. 

This technique was used widely in the Middle Ages in the production of murals which 

have lasted through the ensuing centuries.

On the east façade of the memorial is a 

panel symbolizing “resurrection.” It portrays

a dead soldier being borne to his reward 

by a guardian angel. 

On the west wall are three maps – “The Capture of Sicily,” “The Strategic 

Air Assaults” and “The Naples-Foggia Campaign.” To aid in understanding 

them, the maps bear explanatory inscriptions. Beneath the maps are two 

sets of key maps, “The War Against Germany” and “The War Against Japan.”

On the east wall is one large map, “The 

Landing at Anzio/Nettuno and the Capture 

of Rome.” This map portrays the landings in 

the vicinity of Anzio, the establishment of 

the Anzio beachhead, the subsequent fighting therein, the final breach of the Gustav 

Line on May 11, 1944 by American and 

Allied forces, the swift Allied advance 

north, the link up with troops breaking out 

of the Anzio beachhead, and the liberation 

of Rome on June 4, 1944.

SOUTH GARDEN

South of the memorial, and adjacent to 

the chapel, is an informal garden lined on 

each side with connecting semi-circular planters containing beds of annual 

flowers. Golden raintrees and pink crepe myrtle border the planters. At the 

far end of the garden is a bronze statue of the legendary Thracian poet and 

musician Orpheus circumscribed by an armillary sphere with a sundial.
20 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

BELGIUM

Ardennes American Cemetery

Neupré †† 12 mi SW of Liège

Flanders Field American Cemetery

Waregem † 55 mi W of Brussels

Henri-Chapelle 

American Cemetery

Henri-Chapelle †† 18 mi E of Liège

NETHERLANDS

Netherlands American Cemetery

Margraten †† 6 mi E of Maastricht

LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg American Cemetery

Luxembourg City †† In city

ITALY

Florence American Cemetery

Florence †† 7 mi S of Florence

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

Nettuno †† 38 mi S of Rome

TUNISIA

North Africa American Cemetery

Tunis †† 10 mi NE of Tunis

MEXICO

Mexico City National Cemetery

Mexican-American War | In city

PANAMA

Corozal American Cemetery

Panama Canal creation | 3 mi N 

of Panama City

PHILIPPINES

Clark Veterans Cemetery

Angeles City | 52 mi NW of Manila

Manila American Cemetery

Manila †† 6 mi SE of Manila

FRANCE

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Belleau † 40 mi SW of Reims

Brittany American Cemetery

St. James †† 15 mi SE 

of Mont St. Michel

Epinal American Cemetery

Dinozé †† 45 mi SE of Nancy

Lorraine American Cemetery

St. Avold †† 28 mi E of Metz

Meuse-Argonne American 

Cemetery

Romagne-sous-Montfaucon

† 26 mi NW of Verdun

Normandy American Cemetery

Colleville-sur-Mer

†† 11 mi NW of Bayeux

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery

Fère-en-Tardenois

† 27 mi SW of Reims

Rhône American Cemetery

Draguignan †† 28 mi W of Cannes

Somme American Cemetery

Bony † 120 mi NE of Paris

St. Mihiel American Cemetery

Thiaucourt † 23 mi SW of Metz

Suresnes American Cemetery

Suresnes † †† 4 mi W of Paris

ENGLAND

Brookwood American Cemetery

Brookwood † 28 mi SW of London

Cambridge American Cemetery

Cambridge †† 3 mi W of Cambridge

† WWI Cemetery

†† WWII Cemetery

AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES AROUND THE WORLD

The American Battle 

Monuments Commission

The American Battle Monuments Commission – guardian of America’s 

overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials – honors the service, 

achievements and sacrifice of the United States armed forces. Since 1923, 

ABMC has executed this mission by (1) the erection and maintenance of 

suitable memorial shrines, in the U.S. when authorized by Congress and 

where U.S. forces have served overseas since April 6, 1917; (2) designing, 

constructing, operating, and maintaining permanent American military 

burial grounds in foreign countries; and (3) supervising the design and 

construction on foreign soil of U.S. military memorials, monuments, and 

markers by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, 

and encouraging their maintenance. 

In the performance of its mission, ABMC administers, operates, and 

maintains 25 permanent American military cemeteries; 27 federal memorials, monuments, and markers, and eight nonfederal memorials. Three 

memorials are located in the U.S.; the remaining memorials and all of 

ABMC’s cemeteries are located in 16 foreign countries, the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the British dependency of 

Gibraltar. ABMC’s World War I, World War II, and Mexico City cemeteries 

are closed to future burials, except for the remains of U.S. war dead discovered in World War I and II battle areas. 

In addition to grave sites, the World War I and II cemeteries and three 

memorials on U.S. soil commemorate, on Walls of the Missing, U.S. service 

members who went missing in action or were lost or buried at sea during 

World War I and II, and in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
2300 Clarendon Boulevard Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 696-6900

WWW.ABMC.GOV

MA ER CI AN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMM SI S OI N

UNITED STATES

OF AMERICA

AMERICAN BATTLE 

MONUMENTS COMMISSION

“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”

GENERAL OF THE ARMIES JOHN J. PERSHING