A short drive from the busy, crowded streets of Makati in the Philippines lies the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial located in Global City, Taguig. With manicured lawns this tranquil memorial is quiet and reserved, demanding respect for those that claim this as a final resting place.
On Dec 7th 1941 simultaneous attacks on Pearl Harbor Hawaii and The Philippines led to war. For six months US Forces, made up of US Military, Philippine Military and Philippine Scouts, held off the Japanese until surrendering. On April 9th 1942 the remaining US Forces surrendered on Bataan and 76,000 prisoners, 12,000 of which were Americans, began a 65 mile march to a prisoner of war camp. Of the 30,000 Americans captured in The Philippines nearly 11,000 died in captivity. On July 5th 1945 The Philippines was liberated at a cost of another 14,000 Americans.
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission which operates 24 cemeteries in various parts of the world. These cemeteries are the final resting place for thousands of American military that have died in previous wars.
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is the largest of the 24 both in area and in number of graves. 16,636 military dead from WWII rest here along with 570 Philippine Nationals who were serving with the US Forces. Additionally 32,520 Americans and 3,762 Philippine Nationals whose remains were never recovered or identified are inscribed in the walls of the memorial. There are 20 sets of brothers buried here and 29 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The 152 acre cemetery and memorial is the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The Philippine government and people granted use of the land in perpetuity.
Sitting on the marble benches in the memorial and looking up at the thousands of names inscribed in the walls is a humbling experience. Listed are men and women from every state and I also saw several whose listed home was China that served in the US Navy. Nurses, Medics, Artillerymen, Tankers, Infantry, Officers, Enlisted. They are all there in the walls. The graves are arranged in concentric rings around the Memorial and Mall. Solid white marble crosses with a simple inscription consisting of Name, Rank, Branch of Service, home State and date of death. In what could only be a million to one shot the very first cross I approached happen to be a relative of mine. To say I was a little shocked is an understatement. The Circular Mall surrounded by the names of the missing and the small chapel is open, quiet and reserved as you would expect.
Anyone wishing to visit the Manila American Military Cemetery and Memorial can find it located on McKinley Road, Global City, Taguig, Philippines. The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitor Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
That’s beautiful! Thanks so much for tweeting me the link. I’m afraid that I don’t know enough about military cemeteries oversees — or cemeteries in the Philippines. Any pointers would be appreciated.
The American Battle Monuments Commission is a great resource, listing all the Military cemeteries and holding a searchable database.
Awww I was just passing it from/to office when I was still in Phils. Never attempted to get in…
For me it was quite humbling.
I like to see Memorial grounds that are so well taken care of. It’s a very deserving tribute to so many soldiers who lost their lives in war.
there is something serene and peaceful about going to a memorial cemetery. I think its one of those things that if you have the time to go, its a nice visit. Thanks for sharing Bob. I loved the post.
I always pass this place everytime I go to the office. How can I get inside? is there any schedule or fee if I pay a visit.
Hi Philip, There is no fee.If I remember correctly they are open every day except Christmas day and New Years day. When you enter there is a welcome center and they can help in finding a specific grave if you are looking for one and I believe they have a brochure about the facility.
I was doing some genealogy research on an ancestor who is listed on the “Tables of the Missing” when I came across a photo you had posted. Thanks for posting your photos and the information about the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial. It seems to be a well kept humbling and peaceful place to remember the many who were lost to the horrors of war.
On this Memorial Day of May 27, 2019, I reminisce of the sacrifice of the American soldiers who died in the Philippines, many of which were still in their teens. They never returned to their sweethearts, their wives, families, friends, and to their “Galveston.” The adage “freedom is not free” is certainly so true..
I was in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Clark AFB (Philippines) during the Vietnam War. Always wondered where the cemetery was located but now know due to your website. Thanks and will visit the cemetery next year.
It is worthy of a visit if you get the chance.
good morning from the west coast of California, Ontrario. My name is Arnold Valdez but call me A.J. I’m heading out to the Phillipines on 3/25/20 and should be arriving on the 27th. The purpose of heading out to the Phillipines is to visit an uncle of mine buried out there at the American Memorial Cemetary under the name of Florencio Castro Ponce-Aviation Engineer crew and died M.I.A. I am prior service Army and retired law enforcement gang unit out here in California. Now I’m out seeing the world and interestingly I found my uncle here at this cemetary. My question to you is “How can I have staff at the site set aside a meet and greet to direct me where my uncle is located at since this appears to be a huge cemetary?” I would appreciate any sort of guidance on this. Much thanks in advance.
A.J. Valdez
Hi A.J.,
The cemetery is staffed during open hours and they have a register for all the burials. If your Uncle’s body was never recovered and was not buried there his name will be inscribed on one of the memorial walls by alphabetical order.
Is it possible to get a listing off those buried in the Manila American Cemetery as well as a list of those missing? I see the partial list of the missing in alphabetical order but not the complete list. I ask because I would like to make virtual memorials to those who do not have memorials already, but I need names, dates, and details to do so.
Thanks very much. Dave Leonard
If you contact the cemetery they could probably give you the info.