Why Is There an American Military Cemetery in Cambridge?

Why Is There an American Military Cemetery in Cambridge?

Cub Scouts from the Tribase Area recently spent a day at Cambridge American Cemetery in England, where they learned why a piece of American history rests in the English countryside and then gave something back to the people buried there.

A “Friendly Invasion”

The day began with a talk by Tracey Garner of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). She told the Scouts about the “Friendly Invasion” of East Anglia, when almost 400,000 Americans arrived in the region during World War II.

Tracey explained that the relationship between those service members and their English neighbors grew from simple gestures. Americans hosted Christmas parties for orphaned children and shared gum and candy with local kids. Those small acts of kindness created support and admiration that has lasted across generations, and it is a big part of why this region still welcomes Americans so warmly.

A Place of Remembrance

Cambridge American Cemetery covers 30.5 acres on land donated by the University of Cambridge. It was dedicated in 1956 and holds the remains of 3,811 American service members. Most of them died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe. The names of another 5,127 who are missing in action are recorded on the Walls of the Missing, and rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

The cemetery’s memorial includes a chapel with two large military maps, stained glass windows bearing state seals and military decorations, and a mosaic ceiling honoring the air forces’ dead. A visitor center with exhibits, photographs, films and personal stories helps visitors understand the campaign these men and women served in.

Scouts Give Back

The Scouts did more than listen. They paid tribute to America’s fallen by making sure the headstones were presentation ready and by clearing the walkways so that no weeds dared to grow. Then they walked along the Wall of the Missing, where they were struck by the sheer number of names. The visit ended in the Cemetery Chapel.

Thank you to Melissa Dierdorf, Committee Chair of Pack 219 at RAF Lakenheath, for sharing this story, and to Tracey Garner and the ABMC for welcoming our Scouts.