| The Memorial Chapel at the foot of Belleau Wood, of French Romanesque architecture (designed by Cram and Ferguson of Boston, Massachussetts), rises more than 80 feet (24 meters). The exterior walls, steps and terrace are of native St. Maximin, Savonnieres and Massangis limestone. The exterior embellishments were designed by William F. Ross and Company of East Cambridge, Massachusetts and were executed by Alfred Bottiau, Paris. The five beautiful stained-glass windows are the works of Reynolds, Francis and Rhonstock of Boston. Three depict patron saints: St. Denis, patron saint of France; St. Michael, triumphing over evil, who would become the patron saint of paratroopers, as well as St. Louis, one of the great crusaders. The remaining two windows in the alcove contain the coats of arms of some of the Allied nations: the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Serbvia, and Romania, and the coats of arms of the United States along with the insignia of I and II Corps, the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th 26th, 28th 32d, 42d and 77th Divisions. The focal point in the chapel is the exquisitely gilded altar carved in Italian marble, the color of peach blossom. On the walls of the chapel are inscribed the names and particulars of 1,060 men who fought in this region and whose remains were either never recovered or positively identified. |
