Saint Corneille Former American Cemetery Monument
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Details:
On the east side of the road.
Monument
A black granite monument commemorating the 521 American soldiers, Allied soldiers, and airmen who were temporarily interred at this site from 16 August 1944 to 1948, in the American Military Cemetery known as "St. Corneille." The inscription is written in both French and English. The cemetery was created on August 16, 1944, by the 3rd American Army commanded by General Patton. This monument expresses the gratitude of the local French community for the sacrifices made by the American and Allied forces during the war.
The cemetery was established shortly after the liberation of the area in August 1944, during World War II. This cemetery was one of several temporary resting places created by the U.S. Army to manage a large number of casualties from the Normandy campaign and subsequent battles as Allied forces pushed eastward through France.
The remains were interred here between 16 August 1944 and 1948. The remains were later either repatriated to the United States or transferred to permanent military cemeteries such as the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. By 1948, as part of the post-war effort to properly honor and preserve the memory of the fallen, many temporary cemeteries like Saint Corneille were closed.
Source of information:
- American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)
- History of American Cemeteries in France during WWII
- Local historical archives on World War II and American cemeteries in France
Source of photos: www.memorialgenweb.org, www.google.com/maps
Monument Text:
SAINT MARS LA BRIÈRE
En mémoire des 521 soldats et aviateurs
Américains et Alliés qui, à partir du 16 août 1944
et jusqu'en 1948, reposèrent en ce lieu:
Cimetière Militaire Temporaire Américain dit
« de St Corneille »
En mémoire de nos Libérateurs,
St Mars La brière reconnaissante.
In memory of the 521 American and Allied soldiers
and airmen which, from 16 August 1944 to 1948,
rested in that place:
American Military Cemetery Temporary called
« of St Corneille »
In memory of our Liberators,
St Mars La Briere grateful.
