Oisne-Aisne

The World War I Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial lies one and a half miles east of Fere-en-Tardenois (Aisne), France and about fourteen miles northeast of Chateau-Thierry. It may be reached from Paris by automobile by taking toll Autoroute A-4 forty-nine miles to the Chateau-Thierry Exit, turn left onto Highway D-1 to Fere-en-Tardenois about twelve miles. Hotels are available in Chateau-Thierry, Reims (27 miles and Soissons 18 miles). There is railroad service to each of these cities where taxicabs may be hired.

At this cemetery site of thirty six acres, beneath the broad lawn surrounded by stately trees and shrubbery, rest 6,012 Americans who died while fighting in this vicinity during World War I. Their headstones are aligned in long rows and rise in a gentle slope from the entrance at the far end. The burial area is divided into four plots by wide paths lined by trees and beds or roses. At the intersection of the paths is a circular plaza and flagpole.

The memorial is a curving colonnade, flanked at the ends by a chapel and a map room. It is built of rose colored sandstone with white trim bearing the sculptured details of wartime equipment. The chapel contains an altar of carved stone. Engraved upon its walls are the names of 241 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose remains were never recovered.

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitors’ Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.