5 things you may not know about Henri-Chapelle Cemetery

Henri-Chapelle American Cemeteryis one of 26 cemeteries managedand operatedby American Battle Monuments Commissionand one of three cemeteries in Belgium. But do you know everything about this cemetery?

Picture of the view from the memorial at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission/ Robert Uth

A site located near the German border and close to another ABMC site

Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery is located approximately 7 miles from the German border. The U.S. army wanted to avoid U.S. service members being buried on what was at the time enemy soil. So, they built a cemetery close to Germany's border to be able to bring U.S. military dead back in Belgium and bury them there.

Another interesting fact is that Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery is located only 12 miles from Netherlands American Cemetery. This is the closest distance between two ABMC cemeteries. It is also near Ardennes American Cemetery.

Picture from Life Magazine showing Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery as a temporary cemetery in 1946. Credit: Life Magazine.

A site split in two during World War II

During World War II, the site hosted two adjacent cemeteries: one for approximately 17,000 U.S. service members and another for around 10,000 German ones. German prisoners of war, under U.S. Army supervision, maintained the German cemetery.

Map of the temporary cemetery indicating the part dedicated to German burials from March 1945. Credit: Cemetery's archives.

An update on the Wall of the Missing

In 1943, Flight officer Robert J. Marsh and his B-17 crew were shot down over the Netherlands. While most of the crew was buried or captured, Marsh's fate was unclear, and his name was never added to any U.S. memorial. Decades later a visitor's inquiry led researchers and American Battle Monuments Commission to discover a record error.

On Feb. 20, 2025, Marsh's name was finally engraved on the Wall of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, honoring him 82 years after his death during World War II. It now has 451 names listed.

More information available here.

Picture of Robert J. Marsh's name on the wall of the missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery making it the 451-name listed. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

3 Medal of Honor recipients

The cemetery is the final resting place for three Medal of Honor recipients.

Brig. Gen. Frederick Walter Castleserved with distinction in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

After joining the Eighth Air Force in England, he took command of the 94th Bomb Group at Bury St Edmunds from June 1943 to April 1944 and later led the 4thBombardment Wing. Known for his calm leadership and professionalism, Castle earned great respect among his crews and played a key role in several major bombing operations over Europe.

On Dec. 24, 2944, Castle led one of the largest bomber formations of the war on a mission over Belgium. His B-17 suffered engine trouble shortly after takeoff, yet he refused to jettison about his bombs or break formation, knowing it would expose the rest of his group to enemy attack. When his plane was hit by German fighters, he remained at the controls to allow his crew to bail out safely. Moments later, the aircraft exploded in midair. Castle was killed in action, but five of his nine crew members survived.

For his extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, Castle was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration. President Truman cited his "gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty." He also received the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and several foreign honors. Castle is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery Plot D, Row 13, Grave 53.

Picture of the headstone of Brig. Gen. Frederick W. Castle at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

Tech. Fourth Grade Truman Kimbrowas assigned to Company C, 2ndEngineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division during World War II. On Dec. 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, near Rocherath, Belgium, his unit was ordered to mine a crucial crossroads to impede the advancing German forces. Despite facing heavy enemy fire and failure of earlier attempts, Kimbro volunteered to try again, showing an unwavering sense of duty and courage.

Carrying mines by himself, Kimbro crawled forward after instructing his squad to remain sheltered. Although he was hit by enemy fire, he pressed on and managed to complete the mining operation, successfully denying the enemy route they sought to use. As he turned back towards his man, he was struck and killed. His heroism prevented the Germans from advancing quickly and gave his fellow soldiers time to regroup and strengthen their defensive positions. A small but critical act that contributed to the Allied stand in the Ardennes.

For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," Kimbro was posthumously awarded the Medal of honor. His sacrifice embodies the selfless spirit of those who fought to defend freedom in Europe. Kimbro is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery Plot F, Row 6, Grave 28.

Picture of the headstone of Tech. Fourth Grade Truman Kimbro at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

Pfc. Francis X. McGrawserved with Company H, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division and participated in key campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and the Hürtgen Forest. On Nov. 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest, McGraw's unit faced a fierce German counterattack.

Despite intense enemy fire, he manned a heavy machine gun from a foxhole, delivering accurate fire that halted the advancing of enemy troops. When the Germans brought up a machine gun to dislodge him, McGraw exposed himself to knock it out. After a rocket blast disabled his weapon, he retrieved it and continued to fire, silencing a second enemy machine gun.

He made repeated trips over fire-swept terrain to replenish his ammunition, even after being wounded. He continued to fight until his ammunition was gone, then engaged the Germans with a carbine until he was killed.

McGraw's actions exemplified the highest standards of courage and sacrifice. His Medal of Honor citation highlights his extraordinary heroism and intrepidity, which inspired his comrades and were instrumental in repelling the German attack. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after Word War II. He is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery Plot A, Row 18, Grave 25.

Picture of the headstone of Pfc. Francis X. McGraw at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

Presence of service members killed in the Malmedy massacre

The Malmedy Massacre occurred during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 17, December 1944, when 84 American prisoners of war were executed by the Waffen-SS near Malmedy Belgium. Captured service members were shot at close range instead of being treated according to the rules of war. Survivors' testimony later helped identify those responsible, showing the brutality of the conflict and the importance of accountability in wartime.

Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery is the final resting place for 27 out of 84 service members killed during the Malmedy Massacre including Cpl. Joseph A. Brozowski.

Brozowski was a member of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion during World War II. In November 1944, he had the opportunity to meet his brother Pvt. Edward S. Brozowskiin Belgium. On Dec. 17, 1944, Joeseph was among the 84 American prisoners of war executed during the Malmady Massacre. His brother, Edward, continued to serve with the 112th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division but was killed just three days after his brother Dec. 20, 1944, near Beiler, Luxembourg.

Both brothers made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of the Bulge. Their shared fate underscores the profound loss experienced by families during the war. They both rest at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, respectively, Plot C, Row 8, Grave 38, and Plot H, Row 13, Grave 24.

Pictures of the headstones of Cpl. Joseph A. Brozowski and his brother, Pvt. Edward S. Brozowski. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

For both platforms:

The American Battle Monuments Commission sites are a constant reminder of Gen. John J. Pershing's promise that, "time will not dim the glory of their deeds."

Sources:

Frederick Walker Castle | World War II | U.S. Army Air Corps | Medal of Honor Recipient

Untold Stories of Masters of the Air:… | Bury St Edmunds & Beyond

Truman Kimbro | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient

The quiet hero from Camden: Francis X. McGraw | National Museum of American History

Francis Xavier McGraw | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient

The Malmedy Massacre | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

Joseph Adam Brozowski : Corporal from New York, World War II Casualty

Alexander Lengyel Jr : Technician Fifth Class from Ohio, World War II Casualty