3 temporary American cemeteries
The first American cemetery was established in France in June 1944. There were 3 000 graves. A second cemetery was opened on the road to Chef-du-Pont (5 000 tombs) and a third in Blosville.
From the earliest days of the landings in Normandy, certain units were specially assigned the task of gathering the bodies of the dead, in order to give them a decent and respectable burial place.
In total 14 000 soldiers were buried in the three American cemeteries. In 1948, two-thirds of the bodies were repatriated to the United States at the request of families. The remaining third were conveyed between the cemeteries of St. James (near Avranches – 4 410 graves) and Colleville-sur-Mer. This latter cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach, is the largest with 9 387 graves.
There is no longer a military cemetery in Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
Did you know? On 14th July 1944, General Theodore Roosevelt, a cousin of President Roosevelt was buried in cemetery N° 2. He was among the eldest (57 years old) but had wanted to lead the men of the 4th Division in combat. He died of a heart attack in Méautis near Carentan on 12th July 1944.