In a poignant ceremony held at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in France, the remains of an unidentified World War I soldier were laid to rest. This solemn event, occurring over a century after the Great War, marked the culmination of a year-long endeavor to determine the nationality of remains discovered in a French village – a site of intense clashes between American and German forces. The soldier, believed to be American, was interred with full military honors, joining over 6,000 fellow countrymen who perished in WWI.
“Today, we gather to pay our respects to an unknown American World War I soldier,” stated Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville. He emphasized the soldier’s sacrifice, saying, “We honor this courageous soldier who gave his life for his country, championing democracy and freedom.”
Gen. James C. McConville delivering a speech at the WWI soldier's burial in France.
Gen. McConville spoke of the valor and dedication shared by this soldier and his comrades, fighting alongside allied forces. “He was a hero, embodying courage and honor. His heroism stemmed from fighting for a cause greater than himself. He made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield for liberty,” McConville declared. This ceremony was particularly significant, marking the first burial of an unknown U.S. soldier from World War I since 1988 and the first at Oise-Aisne since 1932, underscoring the enduring legacy of the conflict and the uniforms worn by soldiers of all nations, including the distinctive French Wwi Uniform, during those battles.
The soldier’s remains were unearthed in February 2022 within a cemetery in Villers-sur-Fere, a French village roughly 60 miles northeast of Paris. This region witnessed fierce combat in the summer of 1918 as American forces confronted German troops. Discovered alongside the remains were pieces of U.S. military equipment, including a steel helmet, a trench knife, an ammunition belt, and .30-06 ammunition cartridges.
The discovery was made by a French undertaker, who promptly notified authorities. This led to the involvement of the French government agency tasked with identifying war casualties.
U.S. Army soldiers carrying the flag-draped casket of the WWI unknown soldier.
French authorities subsequently contacted Yves Desfosses, an expert in World War I archaeology, to oversee the recovery of the remains and assess the artifacts found. The French agency also collaborated with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), responsible for maintaining 23 World War I and World War II cemeteries globally, including Oise-Aisne.
Based on Desfosses’ expert analysis, French officials formally concluded that the remains were those of a U.S. soldier. ABMC historians further corroborated the soldier’s nationality through analysis, referencing wartime accounts, including the memoir of Army Chaplain Francis P. Duffy. Duffy’s writings detailed the burial of soldiers from the 42nd “Rainbow” Division in the precise location of the discovery, adding historical context to the artifacts and perhaps even the remnants of a French WWI uniform or American equivalents used in cooperation.
Bert Caloud, superintendent of Oise-Aisne, commended the profound respect shown by French officials in handling the remains. He highlighted the meticulous efforts undertaken by both France and the U.S. to ensure the soldier received appropriate honors for his service. Caloud emphasized that the shared history of World War I strengthens the enduring bond between the two nations.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville placing a white rose on the unknown soldier's casket.
This alliance was visibly present during the solemn burial ceremony at Oise-Aisne. French and U.S. military personnel stood together, side by side, paying tribute to the fallen soldier. Caloud noted the indelible mark of World War I on French towns and villages, ensuring the sacrifices of American soldiers, who fought alongside them and wore their own distinct uniforms alongside the French WWI uniform in the trenches, would never be forgotten.
“Looking ahead to Memorial Day, his grave will be adorned with flowers,” Caloud remarked about the unknown soldier. “Flowers placed by the French people.”
In his address, McConville expressed gratitude to the allied nations present at the burial and to all those involved in the recovery and identification process. “God bless this soldier and all soldiers who serve our nations to protect our freedoms,” he concluded. The burial served as a powerful reminder of the shared history and lasting alliance between France and the United States, forged in the battles of World War I, where the French WWI uniform and the spirit of their wearers played a crucial role.
