Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial

Normandy, France, is renowned for its pivotal role in WWII, particularly the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The beaches—Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword—were the sites of the Allied invasion that marked the beginning of the end for Nazi occupation in Europe. The Normandy American Cemetery, located in Colleville-sur-Mer, is a solemn tribute to American soldiers who perished during World War II, particularly during the D-Day landings and subsequent operations. It was established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944, on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, and was the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. Covering 172.5 acres, it contains the graves of 9,386 military personnel and a memorial to 1,557 missing soldiers. The meticulously maintained grounds overlook Omaha Beach, one of the pivotal sites of the Allied invasion.