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The image of white crosses, row upon row and stretching as far as the eye can see, usually brings to mind the defenders of freedom buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In fact, there are very few crosses in Arlington; most of the markers are the government-issue, traditional tombstone.
World War I was the most catastrophic war in the history of mankind to that point in time, resulting in more than 8 million battle and war-related deaths, most in Western Europe. Most of the more than 100,000 American casualties died or were killed in action in the brief period from May to November of 1918. With losses of such magnitude, the dead were often buried where they fell.
During and immediately after the war the bodies of nearly 31,000 American war dead were laid to rest in eight cemeteries throughout France, England, and Belgium. The American Battle and Monuments Commission was established in 1923 and placed in administration of these cemeteries, which became known as "A.B.M.C. World War I cemeteries".
During and after World War II more than 76,000 American war dead were laid to rest in 13 new A.B.M.C. cemeteries in France, England, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium, and Tunisia. In the Pacific another 17,000 American war dead were laid to rest in the A.B.M.C. Manila cemetery in the Philippine Islands.
War dead in these 22 cemeteries, as well as those in the A.B.M.C. cemeteries in Panama and Mexico, are laid to rest beneath neatly aligned, pristine white marble crosses. Veterans of the Jewish faith are laid to rest beneath a tapered marble shaft above which is carved the Star of David.
In addition to the 130,120 American war dead who now lie in A.B.M.C. cemeteries on foreign shores, those
who fought for freedom and whose remains have never been recovered are remembered on Tablet (or Walls) of the Missing in each of the current 24 A.B.M.C. cemeteries. These number 61,061 names. Unidentified soldiers rest beneath a cross on which is etched the words:
Here Rests In Honored Glory
A Comrade in Arms
Known But to God*
At least one Medal of Honor recipient is buried in, or honored on the Wall of the Missing, at eighteen of the 24 A.B.M.C. cemeteries.
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