Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Manila American Cemetery Jon Opol (Atlas Obscura User)

More than 400,000 American military personnel died during World War II and more than 17,000 American service men and women are buried in Manila American Cemetery. Twenty-five mosaic maps recall the achievements of the American armed forces in the Pacific, China, India and Burma. On rectangular Trani limestone piers within the hemicycles, are inscribed the Tablets of the Missing containing 36,286 names.

The 152 acres (62 hectares) cemetery is located on a plateau. In the center is a monument and chapel, behind that is a small museum dedicated to the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II, with a focus on the Philippines. Most of the interned died at New Guinea and the Battle of the Philippines. Now surrounded by high rises in one direction, it’s a great breathing space on this part of Metro Manila.

Twenty-three Medal of Honor recipients are buried or memorialized at the Manila cemetery.

Know Before You Go

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 am to 5 pm, except on December 25 and January 1. It is open on most 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. A valid photo ID is required for entrance to the cemetery.