Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is an elegant homage to the U.S. servicemen who lost their lives in World War II. It contains thousands of headstones as well as a chapel. Walk through the poignant monument to pay your respects to the fallen heroes.
The American Battle Monuments Commission set up the site in 1956 and there are more than 3,800 white headstones in the cemetery. Walk through the countless rows of graves to get a sense of the sheer magnitude of casualties. Woods and large green fields frame the curving rows.
Look at the Wall of the Missing and scan the list of names of 5,127 unrecovered servicemen. There are four statues that represent the missing bodies, as well as a tall flagpole, which proudly hoists the American flag. Running parallel to the wall is a long and narrow reflecting pool and a gravel pathway with floral displays.
The visitor centre contains historic and artistic exhibits that tell the story of these American servicemen. Learn about intriguing aspects of the war through films, photographs and interactive displays. Talk with the staff member about the history and layout of the site.
Don’t miss the graceful memorial building, which is made from Portland stone. Examine the large military maps and decorations by the memorial. Inside its chapel admire the impressive stained-glass windows and mosaic ceiling.
The entire site consists of 30.5 acres (12.3 hectares) of picturesque grounds. The grounds are open daily from morning until late afternoon year-round, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It is free to enter.
Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) west of the city centre. Regular buses from Cambridge Railway Station will take you to the cemetery in about 40 minutes. You could also walk or cycle along a scenic path from the city centre to the site.
