General George S Patton Jr died 21 Dec 1945
During a visit of Luxembourg in 1997.
The News article from Luxembourg Wort date 10 March 2014
Many Americans mistakenly think that General George Patton Junior, whose grave is at the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg, was buried in front of his troops, because that's how he led.
Little do they know, however, that the famous warrior's final resting place is actually located behind the graves of his troops.
What is more, his grave came close to being removed from Luxembourg altogether following a fall-out between the American Battle Monuments Commission and Patton's wife, Beatrice, according to the Scott Desjardins, superintendent of the American Military Cemetery in Hamm.
General Patton died on December 21, 1945 from complications following a car accident which took place 12 days earlier – a day before he was due to retire.
His wife, Beatrice, was asked if she wanted him to be buried at the military cemetery at St Avold in France, where his company had fought or Luxembourg, which he helped to liberate. She chose Luxembourg and he was buried alongside his troops in one of 30 plots at the cemetery on December 24, 1945.
When the American Battle Monuments Commission began its programme of repatriating soldiers killed in combat, 68 percent of the American soldiers were sent back to the US.
The cemetery shrunk to just nine plots, so Patton was reburied among the general population. However, with the tens of thousands of visitors attending his grave to pay their respects, surrounding graves quickly became trampled and desecrated.
So, in 1947, it was decided to move his grave on its own to the back temporarily. The plan was to later move it to a plot alongside other soldiers as under cemetery policy all soldiers were to be buried together regardless of rank.
When Patton's widow discovered he had been moved a second time and that he would be moved again, she dug in her heels saying that she would rather the General be repatriated to California than see his remains moved.
At this point, Luxembourg Grand Duchess Charlotte, a friend of Beatrice Patton stepped forward and offered a place in the Grand Ducal crypt in Luxembourg's “Notre Dame” cathedral.
When the US government found out, they finally acquiesced and allowed Patton's grave to stay as it was on its own, behind the 5,075 other graves, where it remains today.
Last year the Military Cemetery in Luxembourg received 79,000 visitors, the majority of which are thought to have visited Patton's grave.
The cemetery is open daily from 9am to 5pm and entry is free of charge.
Find out more by visiting www.abmc.gov
General George S Patton Jr died 21 Dec 1945
During a visit of Luxembourg in 1997.
The News article from Luxembourg Wort date 10 March 2014
Many Americans mistakenly think that General George Patton Junior, whose grave is at the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg, was buried in front of his troops, because that's how he led.
Little do they know, however, that the famous warrior's final resting place is actually located behind the graves of his troops.
What is more, his grave came close to being removed from Luxembourg altogether following a fall-out between the American Battle Monuments Commission and Patton's wife, Beatrice, according to the Scott Desjardins, superintendent of the American Military Cemetery in Hamm.
General Patton died on December 21, 1945 from complications following a car accident which took place 12 days earlier – a day before he was due to retire.
His wife, Beatrice, was asked if she wanted him to be buried at the military cemetery at St Avold in France, where his company had fought or Luxembourg, which he helped to liberate. She chose Luxembourg and he was buried alongside his troops in one of 30 plots at the cemetery on December 24, 1945.
When the American Battle Monuments Commission began its programme of repatriating soldiers killed in combat, 68 percent of the American soldiers were sent back to the US.
The cemetery shrunk to just nine plots, so Patton was reburied among the general population. However, with the tens of thousands of visitors attending his grave to pay their respects, surrounding graves quickly became trampled and desecrated.
So, in 1947, it was decided to move his grave on its own to the back temporarily. The plan was to later move it to a plot alongside other soldiers as under cemetery policy all soldiers were to be buried together regardless of rank.
When Patton's widow discovered he had been moved a second time and that he would be moved again, she dug in her heels saying that she would rather the General be repatriated to California than see his remains moved.
At this point, Luxembourg Grand Duchess Charlotte, a friend of Beatrice Patton stepped forward and offered a place in the Grand Ducal crypt in Luxembourg's “Notre Dame” cathedral.
When the US government found out, they finally acquiesced and allowed Patton's grave to stay as it was on its own, behind the 5,075 other graves, where it remains today.
Last year the Military Cemetery in Luxembourg received 79,000 visitors, the majority of which are thought to have visited Patton's grave.
The cemetery is open daily from 9am to 5pm and entry is free of charge.
Find out more by visiting www.abmc.gov