WWI Unknown soldier’s remains unearthed after more than a century, to be laid to rest at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, June 7, 2023
On June 7, 2023, ABMC will inter the remains of an unknown WWI soldier at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in France,
one of ABMC’s eight WWI cemeteries located overseas. The full honor
military burial follows a year-long process to exhume remains and
artifacts, and to identify the soldier’s nationality in order to provide
a place of final rest. This is the first burial of an unknown from WWI
since 1988, and the first burial at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery since
it was dedicated in 1937.
On February 8, 2022, the remains of an unidentified presumed American
soldier were discovered in the civilian cemetery grounds of
Villers-sur-Fère, France. After an investigation by local authorities,
military experts and archeologists, it was established that the remains
were those of a U.S. soldier who fought in the area during World War I.
With his remains were a 1917 steel helmet used by American troops, U.S.
insignia buttons, a model 1917 U.S. trench knife, a metal cross arm of a
U.S. issue stretcher, remnants of a round U.S. identity tag, and U.S.
issue 30.06 ammunition dated 1917 still in ammunition pouches. Based on
the location of the remains, analysis of the artifacts, and research of
the archeological experts, military historians, and government agencies,
it was established that the remains are those of a U.S. soldier who
fought in the area during World War I.
Artifacts discovered with the remains of an unidentified presumed
American soldier in the civilian cemetery grounds of Villers-sur-Fère,
France, on February 8, 2022
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery honors the service and legacy of 6,012
buried service members and 241 Missing in Action memorialized on the
Wall of the Missing. Most of them lost their lives while fighting in
this vicinity in 1918 during World War I. A new headstone will be
engraved and installed to welcome the remains of this unknown soldier.
The burial ceremony will take place at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery,
France, at 1 p.m., local time, and will be open to the public.
This year, ABMC not only remembers the service, achievements and
sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces during World War I and the legacy of this
unknown soldier. We also commemorate a hundred years of existence,
affirming our determination to continue to share, remember, and honor
those who fell abroad defending our nation, whether they be known or
unknown.
