5 things you may not know about North Africa American Cemetery

North Africa American Cemeterywas selected to be apermanent American Battle Monuments Commission militarycemetery in 1948 for the North Africa Campaign, American dead from the Middle East and across Africa. The cemetery was officially dedicated July 21, 1960. It includes the remains of more than 2,800 American service members and commemorates more than 3,700 individuals missing in action or lost or buried at sea whose names are engraved on the tablets of the missing. But do you know everything about this site?

Picture of North Africa American Cemetery with the headstones and the flagpole. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission/ Robert Uth.

A cemetery on the land of Roman Carthage

North Africa American Cemetery is more than a final resting place for World War II heroes, it stands on land once walked by the people of ancient Carthage, one of the greatest civilizations of the classical world. Founded in the 9th century B.C.E., Carthage rose as a powerful maritime empire and rival to Rome, home to legendary figures like Hannibal and a center of trade, culture and innovation. Though ultimately destroyed by Rome after the Punic Wars, the legacy of Carthage endures. Centuries later, this same ground saw the tides of war return during World War II, as American forces fought across North Africa in the campaign to defeat tyranny. Today, the cemetery lies within a UNESCO World Heritage zone, where ancient ruins border hallowed ground, an extraordinary intersection of ancient and modern sacrifice.

View of the ruins of Ancient Carthage near North Africa American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

An 1800-year-old Roman mosaic at the cemetery

Displayed inside North Africa American Cemetery's visitor center is a beautifully preserved 2nd-century Roman mosaic depicting the god Neptune, a symbol of strength and protection. This 1,800-year-old mosaic was a gift from the former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba to the first American ambassador to Tunisia, Ambassador G. Lewis Jones Jr., and is the oldest object in the entire ABMC collection. Beyond its historical value, it stands as a testament to the deep cultural heritage of the region and the strong partnership between Tunisia and the U.S. Its presence adds a unique layer of meaning to the cemetery, connecting modern memory with ancient history.

Picture of the Triumph of Neptune, a 2nd-century Roman mosaic, displayed at North Africa American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

7 unknown servicemen united in burial

In 1950, seven unknown servicemen were discovered as commingled remains in a remote area of Tunisia by French authorities. The remains, showing evidence of U.S. Army Air

Forces uniforms and signs consistent with an aircraft crash, were given a respectful burial by local villagers, though no witnesses to the crash or burial could be identified. The remains were subsequently transported to Italy, where attempts at individual identification were unsuccessful, leading to their temporary interment as unknown soldiers at Mirandola temporary cemetery. Given their association with the North African Theater of Operations, these seven service members were later transferred to the North Africa American Cemetery for permanent burial after all efforts to identify the remains were exhausted, where they now rest together beneath a single headstone Plot E, Row 5, Grave 16, honored collectively for their sacrifice.

Picture of the headstone where seven unknown service members rest at North Africa American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

A Unique Soundscape

One of the most moving aspects of the cemetery is the cultural and spiritual atmosphere that visitors often describe. The site is surrounded by both history and life, and it's common to hear the chapel bells ringing out in harmony with the Muslim call to prayer from nearby mosques. This cross-cultural soundscape is unique to Tunisia and offers a rare moment of peaceful reflection. It embodies the cemetery's setting not just as a military memorial, but as a place of coexistence and deep respect, where cultures meet in quiet unity.

Picture of a Mosque behind the chapel at North Africa American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

Trees are shaped with meaning

At the North Africa American Cemetery, the carefully shaped trees are more than just landscaping, they carry symbolic meaning. The triangular trees are inspired by the tricorn hat, a symbol of the American Revolution and the fight for independence. The rounded trees reflect the gold ball that sits atop U.S. flagpole, representing unity, honor, and the constant presence of the American flag. Together, these shapes subtly honor the legacy of those who served, blending symbolism with beauty throughout the grounds.

Picture of the shape of the trees at North Africa American Cemetery. Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission.

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."