The model of the "Risen Spirit of Man" by Donald Delue, sculptor, was enlarged to full size in 1953, and thus became ready for casting. RHONE AMERICAN CEMETERY, DRAGUIGNAN, FRANCE After viewing the designs submitted, the Commission expressed preference for a design showing the portico of the memorial with the ends closed. The sculpture proposed showed a woman holding a child, a symbol intended to show that those who died have made a better world for the next generation. Advice was requested as to the use of an inscription; two were offered, and the following by Hervey Allen was chosen : The brave men who lie here Will not have died in vain If the generations following after them The Commission recommended that the panels be done in granite. Contracts for construction were let in the spring of 1953. LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY, HAMM, LUXEMBOURG A revised model for the Hamm Military Cemetery was presented at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts on May 6, 1949. Mr. Harbeson stated that the previous recommendations of the Commission had been embodied in it. The size of the entrance circle had been reduced slightly, and a study had been made of the finish of the masonry wall, where formerly the surface had been unfinished. The names will cover a small parapet on either side of a curved terrace, so that people looking towards the graves may read the names of those whose graves are known. Mr. Harbeson said the names will be incised in stone. The stone favored for the purpose is a local material which comes from Luxembourg, although estimates will also be secured for other material. There will be a stone map at each of the end walls. The chapel is now enclosed; the roof is to be of metal, with stone facing keyed into it. The placing of the sculpture was restudied. Here, as at the other projects, much of the landscape planting has been done and the permanent, lettered, marble grave markers have been erected. The names of the missing are to be carved on the walls of the chapel, together with relief sculpture by Janet de Coux on the theme "Sacrifice". The panel on the north wall will be a subject from the Old Testament— Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac; and that on the south wall will be from the New TestamentChrist in the Garden of Gethsemane. NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY, MARGRATEN, HOLLAND At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on October 29, 1948, Mr. Harbeson submitted a design received from the architects for Margraten Military Cemetery. The question was raised as to whether or not the design seemed adequate for a battle monument memorial. Mr. Harbeson said: I think the memorial is the whole Court of Honor, including the Chapel; here your battle maps are outside instead of inside, and give a certain color at the base. They would be incised in stone, with color in certain areas, indicating the battle areas. The whole composition, including the ellipse and the reflecting pool, showing the reflection of the monument with its sculpture, would have a memorial character; there is also the retaining wall with a big dedicatory inscription at the top and all the names of the missing. The Court of Honor is really all part of the memorial. There are 8,301 graves in Margraten World War II Military Cemetery. Bids for construction are now being taken (1953), the building to be built with counterpart funds furnished by Congress through the Department of State. BRITTANY AMERICAN CEMETERY, ST. JAMES, FRANCE In considering this design, the Commission of Fine Arts favored the proportion of width. to height of the tower that existed in the original scheme. This reduced the height of the tower to 108 feet. The architect revised his design along these lines. This military cemetery is not far from Mont St. Michel. The cemetery contains 4,410 graves. The memorial was nearing completion (in 1953); it is built of Brittany granite. Here all plant materials grow well and the landscaping already gives an effective enframement. The model for the sculpture was completed in 1952. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England; memorial building. ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-EN CONDROZ, BELGIUM The architects arranged the graves area in the form of a cross on the gently sloping terrain. As this military cemetery is set among the trees of an old chateau hunting ground, with its allées, the landscape problem was simplified and its completion facilitated. Bids were taken in 1953. CAMBRIDGE AMERICAN CEMETERY, CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND In considering the proposed sculpture for this military cemetery, there was discussion with regard to the use of a cross on the exterior of the chapel, and/or the shield of the United States. Mr. Lee Lawrie, the sculptor member of the Commission stated There is nothing wrong with the symbolism-God over the country. I think the shield can be worked in so that there would not be any question about it. The cross should have a base. The Commission concurred in these suggestions. The memorial will be completed this summer or fall (1953). Much of the landscape has also been completed. The four sculptures, representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are now being carved; installation of the mosaic ceiling has begun. EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY, SOUTH OF EPINAL, FRANCE At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held in New York City on April 4, 1950, Mr. Eugene F. Savage, painter, submitted a mural painting (displayed as a panoramic scale model) for the Museum of the World War II Memorial at Epinal. The painting is to be 55 feet long and 14 feet high, and will portray the landing of the Seventh Army in southern France and its march northeastward to Germany. The model was approved. Miss Malvina Hoffman, sculptor, submitted half-size models of two large reliefs to flank the entrance to the memorial chapel, which were approved, as were models of several other pieces of sculpture for this memorial. Epinal American Cemetery, South of Epinal, France; memorial building. This memorial is nearing completion (1953). The carving of the large relief sculpture, panels by Miss Hoffman is almost finished. The large allegorical-historical wall map by Eugene Savage, in mosaic, is completely installed. SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY, NEAR ANZIO, ITALY This memorial is nearing completion (1953). The two large reliefs by Paul Manship, sculptor, have been cut in Carrara marble and have been built into the walls of the chapel. The bronze double group of soldier and sailor is being cast. The names of the missing will be carved on the inside walls of the chapel. Here the site was entirely bare of vegetation except for one large Roman pine which has been retained as a feature of the open court; because of good growing conditions many trees, two meters high were planted and are thriving. NORTH AFRICAN AMERICAN CEMETERY, CARTHAGE, TUNISIA The Commission considered alternate designs submitted, one for sloping tile roofs and one with flat roofs. Flat roofs were preferred. The Commission suggested increasing the height of the tower and facing it with cut stone, possibly incorporating some sculptural treatment on the principal facade. MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on April 4, 1950, Mr. John F. Harbeson, consulting architect, submitted a bird's-eye perspective and other drawings by Gardner A. Dailey, architect, of San Francisco, for the Manila World War II Military Cemetery. The cemetery is being developed on the Fort McKinley Reservation, south of Manila. The cemetery will contain 21,000 graves. A feature of the design will be a series of stelae, 16 feet high, covered with a flat slab roof and arranged in circular form, containing the names of 19,000 persons whose graves are unknown. The Commission suggested that a full size model be made of one stela, so as to make certain that the names at the top will be legible. The Commission also considered a proposed tower as shown in the perspective. Mr. Harbeson said it is proposed to build it of exposed concrete; the Commission did not consider this to be a satisfactory material for the memorial and advised using stone for the exposed surfaces of the tower. Mr. Harbeson mentioned North African Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia; view from hill overlooking cemetery. the fact that there is good marble available in the Philippine Islands. The height of the tower has been limited to 104 feet, Mr. Harbeson reported later, because of proximity to the Philippine National Airport. The cemetery will have crosses to mark Christian burials; the Star of David to mark Jewish burials, and also a marker for Buddhists and Mohammedans. The Commission was satisfied with the general design as shown in the plan. They urged that further study be given to the architectural elements and, before another submission is made, that a model be prepared. Letters of Appreciation.-The Commission received the following letter from Acting Chairman Robert G. Woodside, of the American Battle Monuments Commission: January 26, 1949. DEAR MR. CLARKE: AS Acting Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission, I wish to thank you for the most valuable assistance and support we have received from your Commission in the World War II program for overseas cemeteries. I express the opinion of the Commission when I tell you that your help has been of great service to us in the great patriotic undertaking of ours. Sincerely yours, ROBERT G. WOODSIDE. The Commission of Fine Arts acknowledged this letter, as follows: February 3, 1949. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in acknowledgment of your communication of January 26th. On behalf of the Commission of Fine Arts, I wish to thank you for your generous remarks concerning our share in the work related to the program of World War II Overseas Cemeteries. The members of this Commission are most appreciative of the splendid cooperation of your representatives, in particular, Brigadier General Thomas North and Mr. John Harbeson, your consulting architect. These gentlemen, as well as all of the other members of their respective staffs, have cooperated splendidly with the result that our part of the work has been one of the most pleasant tasks we have undertaken in a long time. We all feel that the results are going to be outstanding and we are sure that the architects and other artists engaged are most eminently qualified and enthusiastic in their respective assignments. Sincerely yours, GILMORE D. CLARKE, Chairman. MEMORIALS FOR WORLD WAR II CEMETERIES PROPOSED BY THE OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Under the date of October 31, 1949, a letter was received from Colonel E. V. Freeman, Chief of the Memorial Division, Office of the Quartermaster General, Department of the Army requesting advice regarding designs for three proposed memorials in national cemeteries outside of the continental United States, "i.e., National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, Sitka National Cemetery in Alaska, and Puerto Rico National Cemetery." The designs were considered at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on November 10, 1949, and the following action was taken: (a) National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Hawaii).-The Commission gave general approval to the plans at this stage in their development. Certain suggestions were made including the simplification of the treatment at the top and rear of the amphitheatre. (b) Sitka, Alaska National Cemetery.-The Commission approved the design for the memorial building at the present stage of development with the understanding that it will be designed for construction in granite and that the names of the missing servicemen will be inscribed in granite instead of cast in bronze. The retaining walls, steps, and terrace in the vicinity of the memorial itself should also be in granite. (c) Puerto Rico National Cemetery.-The Commission approved the plans at the present stage in their development with the suggestion that (a) the architectural element in back of the rostrum be omitted; (b) that the existing terrace where the flagpole is situated be simplified; and (c) that the possibility of using large steppingstones, of the same material as the steles, be substituted for the walks. The Commission requested a resubmission of the three sets of drawings when they are further developed. |