Discover the History of Lorraine American Cemetery

The Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France covers 113.5 acres and contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II in Europe, a total of 10,481.

Their headstones are arranged in nine plots in a generally elliptical design extending over the beautiful rolling terrain of eastern Lorraine and culminating in a prominent overlook feature. Most of the dead here were killed while driving the German forces from the fortress city of Metz, France toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. Initially, there were over 16,000 Americans interred in the St. Avold region in France, mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army’s Infantry and Armored Divisions and its cavalry groups. St. Avold served as a vital communications center for the vast network of enemy defenses guarding the western border of the Third Reich.

The memorial, which stands on a plateau to the west of the burial area, contains ceramic operations maps with narratives and service flags. High on its exterior front wall is the large figure of St. Nabor, the martyred Roman soldier overlooking the silent host. On each side of the memorial, and parallel to its front, stretch the Tablets of the Missing on which are inscribed 444 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. The entire area is framed in woodland.

Lorraine American Cemetery is less than one mile north of the town of St. Avold, France.

In early September 1944, the Third U.S. Army, under General George S. Patton, resumed its pursuit of German forces across eastern France, while the Seventh U.S. Army, reinforced by the French First Army, advanced northward after landings in southern France.

Throughout these operations, the Ninth Air Force and First Tactical Air Force provided crucial air support.

By November, both armies had made significant territorial gains, capturing Metz, Sarrebourg, and St. Avold, and preparing for the push into Germany. However, the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 forced a shift in strategy, as Third Army quickly maneuvered north to counterattack the German offensive.

In early 1945, the Allies launched a final offensive into Germany. Third Army crossed the Rhine on March 9, and by late April, Allied forces had overrun much of southern Germany, liberating concentration camps and POW camps along the way. The war in Europe ended with Germany’s unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, officially recognized on V-E Day (May 8, 1945).

“From the Moselleto the Rhine and Onward”

• September 8, 1944: Third Army’s 5th Infantry Division crossed the Moselle River near Dornot.
• September 21, 1944: Third and Seventh Armies linked up near Epinal, extending the Allied front line from the North Sea to the Swiss border.
• November 8, 1944: Third Army launched an offensive toward the Saar region.
• November 20, 1944: Seventh Army liberated Sarrebourg.
• November 22, 1944: Third Army liberated Metz, bypassing outer German forts.
• November 27, 1944: Third Army liberated St. Avold.
• December 13, 1944: The last of the German-held forts surrounding Metz surrendered.
• December 19, 1944: Third Army maneuvered northward to counterattack during the Battle of the Bulge.
• January 1, 1945: Germany launched Operation NORDWIND, attacking U.S. and French forces along the Saar River. The Allies held firm.
• March 9, 1945: Third Army crossed the Rhine at Oppenheim and advanced into Germany.
• March 26, 1945: Third Army reached Frankfurt.
• April 18, 1945: Elements of Third Army crossed into Czechoslovakia.
• April 30, 1945: Seventh Army captured Munich.
• May 7, 1945: Germany surrendered unconditionally at Reims.
• May 8, 1945: V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) officially ended the war in Europe.

Vintage Poster

Vintage posters convey the beauty, tranquility, and solemnity of the place as a sign of respect for those who fought so that we can live free today.