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Paris - Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery

Posted by on

We are going to Paris for a Paris-Normandy Cruise. I have an extra day that i’m Setting aside to visit the grave of my great uncle Robert Anthony Strzempek who was killed-in-action (KIA) in the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne on October 19, 1918, just three months after his 18th birthday and three weeks before the Armistice that ended the war. He was U.S. Army, PFC and killed in the area of Verdun. He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. The last family member to visit his grave was my great grandmother in 1930. I will likely be the last family member to visit.

I am looking for recommendations for a bi-lingual tour guide that can provide transportation from Paris to the Cemetery with knowledge of the surrounding area and sites along the way. This would be a day trip returning to Paris.

Would like to know of anyone’s great experience with a guide for a safe journey.

Thank you!

Posted by
2087 posts

I have seen a few years back the cemetery on tv and the functionary there was and likely still is an American. He must be able to give information about good guiding tours. There is as far as I can see no website of Meuse-Argonne itself, but the American Battle Monuments Commission hopefully can help you to get in touch with the functionary. Under the next URL you can find driving routes and more info under “publications”. Good luck!

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/meuse-argonne-american-cemetery#.WmRaEExFx9D

Posted by
153 posts

As the above poster says, it is about 37 kilometers from Verdun to the cemetery, which is about a 35 minute drive. I think your best bet is to call or email the cemetery and ask for the name of a knowledgeable guide, or cab driver, who could meet you at the train station and drive you to the site.

My son lives about a mile from a WWII cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, in Belgium, and I have found the staff at the site to be always more than helpful.

Posted by
441 posts

I visited this cemetery on a lovely March day some 15 years ago. As someone already posted, it is the largest American cemetery (as I recall, both WW1 and WW2) in Europe, and I did not see a single other visitor when I was there. These brave soldiers deserve to be remembered as much as those buried at other American military cemeteries.

Yes, it would be a long day trip from Paris, but I hope you go. I, too, encourage you to contact the staff at the cemetery to ask for their recommendations about a day guide.

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