Historic photo showing rows of women in long dresses, capes and hats.

Under artillery fire southwest of Arras, France on July 14, 1917, Capt. Louis J. Genella of the U.S. Army’s Medical Reserve Corps, became the first combat casualty of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

Color photo of Spaatz in uniform.

On July 4th, 1942 the first American bomber mission flown from England by the U.S Army Air Forces (AAF) flew towards the occupied Netherlands.

Historic photo shows soldiers in uniform with flowers.

Just after their arrival in France some American soldiers became a symbol of deliverance for the French people. The first American Expeditionary Forces’ (AEF) contingent landed in France in late June 1917 at Saint-Nazaire.  The war would soon enter its fourth year with no end in sight.

Rows of marble headstones dot the landscape with the English Channel in the background.

Due to security concerns, the pathway from Normandy American Cemetery to the beach is not open to the public. However, public beach access is available nearby.

Students and adults place a larger flower arrangement at the headstone.

The elementary school in Tholy, France adopted the gravesite of Pfc. Lloyd V. Johnson at Epinal American Cemetery in 2016 as a duty of remembrance, known as “devoir de mémoire” in France.

In World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, millions of Americans served far from home. In the various conflicts, service members fought in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. They traversed mountains in Italy, France, Korea and Vietnam.

Historic photo showing an airship that looks like blimp flying over large Allied ships.

Shortly after the United States entered World War I, the commander of U.S. Convoy Operations was ordered to organize and begin escorting the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to France. With the threat of enemy submarines, American ships crossing the Atlantic needed protection.

Historic photos shows Eisenhower sitting on the ground eating his lunch.

On June 25, 1942 Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower assumed command of the European Theater of Operations U.S. Army. His experience in war planning and operations, gave him an appreciation of war on a global scale - a major necessity as American forces began wartime operations.

Square floral wreaths sit at the base of the new monument.

On the 73rd anniversary of the D-Day landings, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) dedicated two new monuments to mark the importance of Dartmouth, England in World War II.