![[Luxembourg Military Cemeteries]](../maps/mamap-40.jpg)
This map shows the location of the American and the German military cemeteries in relation to the airport.
If you served with the RCAF in France - then there is better than a 50-50 chance that you visited Luxembourg at one time or other. If you visited Luxembourg, then there is a better than 50-50 chance that you took a side trip to the American Military Cemetery at Luxembourg. There are thousands of American service personnel buried at this cemetery, but one of the main attractions to visiting this site is to view the grave of General George S Patton.
The cemetery, fifty acres in extent, is situated in a beautiful wooded area. Not far from the entrance stands the white stone chapel sitting on a wide circular platform nearly surrounded by woods. It is embellished with sculpture in bronze and stone, a stained glass window with American unit insignia and a mosaic ceiling. In front of the chapel at a lower lever are two large stone pylons with operations maps made of inlaid granites and accompanying inscriptions describing the achievements of American Armed Forces in the region during World War II. Additionally these pylons are inscribed with the names of 371 American who gave their lives in the service of their country who lie in unknown graves. The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944 by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the US Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of World War II critical battles. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for General George S Patton's US Third Army. General Patton is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.
Sloping downhill from the memorial is the burial area containing 5,076 American Dead, many of whom gave their lives in the "Battle of the Bulge" and in the advance to the Rhine River. Their headstones follow along graceful curves. The nearby trees, fountains and flower beds contribute to the dignity of the cemetery.
Traditionally, military leaders are buried among the troops. Keeping true to this tradition, General George S Patton was buried among his troops on December 24th, 1945 on a hillside in an unfinished American military cemetery in Luxembourg. He remained there, among the soldiers of his beloved 3rd Army, until it became apparent that the large number of visitors to his grave was having an adverse affect on the surrounding ground. In order to maintain the cemetery in good condition, he was eventually moved to a spot near the memorial that overlooks the cemetery. In this manner, people could more easily find his grave site and not disturb the others. His grave, marked by a simple white cross, is situated near the memorial terrace where it faces two Stars of David, indicating the final resting place for two Jewish soldiers who had fallen while in the general's command. Engraved on the general's cross is the epitaph:
