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American Battle Monuments Commission
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American Battle Monuments Commission

St. Mihiel American Cemetery

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Discover the history

Discover the History of St. Mihiel American Cemetery

The World War I St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial in France, 40.5 acres in extent, contains the graves of 4,153 of our military dead.

The majority of these died in the offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris. The burial area is divided by Linden alignment trees and paths into four equal plots. At the center is a large sundial surmounted by an American eagle. To the west is a statue of a World War I soldier and at the eastern end is a semi-circular overlook dominated by a sculpture representing a victory vase.

Beyond the burial area to the south is the white stone memorial consisting of a small chapel, a peristyle with a large rose-granite funeral urn at its center, and a map building. The chapel contains a beautiful mosaic portraying an angel sheathing his sword. On the walls of the museum are recorded the names of 284 of the missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. On the wall facing the door is a large map of inlaid marble depicting the St. Mihiel Offensive.

St. Mihiel American Cemetery is situated at the west edge of Thiaucourt, France.

Background

By mid-1918, Allied counteroffensives had eliminated most German salients on the Western Front, except for the St. Mihiel salient, which had protruded into Allied lines since 1914.

Its elimination was crucial for Allied plans, and the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) were prepared to lead the attack.

On August 10, 1918, the U.S. First Army was officially activated under General John J. Pershing. It included 14 American divisions and 4 French divisions and was tasked with reducing the St. Mihiel salient. This operation also featured the largest use of airpower in World War I, with nearly 1,500 aircraft participating.

The St. Mihiel Offensive, launched on September 12, 1918, consisted of a main assault on the southern face of the salient, a secondary attack on the western face, and holding attacks near St. Mihiel itself. The offensive was a resounding success, and by September 16, 1918, the U.S. First Army had closed the salient. This victory prepared American forces for the larger Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which began on September 26, 1918.

Birth of an American Army
Birth of an American Army

Burial Search

More than 200,000 fallen service members are honored at an ABMC site. Search the burial database.

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Trip Planning Resources

St. Mihiel American Cemetery Brochure

St. Mihiel American Cemetery Brochure

World War I Battlefield Companion

World War I Battlefield Companion

Driving Routes of Interest - Saint Mihiel American Cemetery to the Montsec American Monument

Driving Routes of Interest – Saint Mihiel American Cemetery to the Montsec American Monument

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe: World War I

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe: World War I

ABMC Sites commémoratifs

ABMC Sites commémoratifs

ABMC and the Unknown Soldier (thumbnail)

ABMC and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1921-2021

Cover of the ABMC Commemorative Sites Booklet publication

ABMC Commemorative Sites Booklet

Photos

Montsec American Monument, a circular stone memorial with tall columns, set against a sunset sky in Montsec, France.
The Montsec American WWI Monument in Montsec, France. (Photo by Warrick Page/ABMC)
Commemorating Memorial Day 2025 at St. Mihiel American Cemetery
The youthful American officer monument, depicting a soldier holding a helmet stands in the sunlight, framed by lush greenery at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
The youthful American officer monument, depicting a soldier holding a helmet, is framed by lush greenery at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
A white stone urn sits atop a pedestal with sunlight filtering through trees at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
Sunlight filters through trees, highlighting the white stone urn at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
The stone American eagle sundial at St. Mihiel American Cemetery, parched atop a circular base and surrounded by Linden trees, with two American flags tin the background.
The limestone American eagle sundial, parched atop a circular base, surrounded by Linden trees at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
A path lined with pruned Linden trees leads to the flagpole displaying the American flag against a cloudy sky, at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
Linden trees flank the pathway leading to the flagpole at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
The “Faces of St. Mihiel” event honored World War I fallen in northeastern France with portrait photos placed by volunteers among the 4
The “Faces of St. Mihiel” event honored World War I fallen in northeastern France with portrait photos placed by volunteers among the 4
Attendees stood during the start of the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony at St. Mihiel American Cemetery in France.
Attendees stood during the start of the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony at St. Mihiel American Cemetery in France.

Contact Us

St. Mihiel American Cemetery
Route de Verdun
54470
Thiaucourt
France
48° 57' 25" N , 5° 51' 11" E
+33 (0)3 83 80 01 01
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