Cambridge American Cemetery - American Battle Monuments Commission

“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds,” General of the Armies, John J Pershing.

At Cambridge American Cemetery – a branch of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) – we remember and commemorate those Americans who fought and died in Britain during World War II.

Set up in 1923, ABMC honors the service of US Armed Forces who died overseas. It maintains and operates 26 cemeteries and 31 monuments in 17 countries around the world.

During World War II, this gently sloping field on Madingley Hill was used as a temporary cemetery. Opening in December 1943, it was often called ‘The Eighth Air Force Cemetery’. Set on a hill, it has sweeping views over the flat lands of East Anglia, which were ideal for building a huge network of airfields. From these air bases so many airmen set off on their final mission.

The University of Cambridge donated the land for this permanent cemetery. In the beautiful and peaceful grounds, more than 3,800 headstones mark the individual burials of US servicemembers, laid to rest in British soil. Over 5,100 names are carved on the Wall of the Missing, where bronze rosettes mark those since recovered and identified. What were their hopes and dreams? It was probably not part of their plan to remain in Britain forever.

Of those commemorated at the cemetery, the majority died in the Battle of the Atlantic, the strategic air war over northern Europe, or training exercises.

Staff are on hand to answer questions, and escort visitors to the memorial of their loved one.

Take a tour to learn about men and women who served. Where did they come from? What were their jobs before war intervened? Discover the Visitor Center, where an exhibition tells the story of the ‘friendly invasion’ … the Americans in Britain during World War II.

Cambridge American Cemetery – American Battle Monuments Commission