History of American Kindergraves


The American Kindergraves From 1952 to 1971, 451 American infants who died at birth or shortly after birth at the American military hospital at Landstuhl or at nearby civilian hospitals, were buried in the Kaiserslautern main cemetery (Waldfriedhof) adjacent to the U.S. Army Daenner Kaserne. Members of the German-American Women's Club knew of the graves and maintained them early on. In the 1980's, the cemetery management contacted the ladies and informed them the initial lease was expiring and the remains of the American babies would be removed, in accordance with local custom, to make room for cemetery expansion. The women’s club was determined to save the children’s graves from extinction and appealed to the local Air Force base legal office for help, however they determined the military could not do anything. The club then appealed to the U.S. State Department. They too determined that they had no authority in the matter. After the German authorities realized the steadfast position of the women’s club, the cemetery management agreed to allow a private organization directly affiliated with the military to assume responsibility for the gravesites. The Ramstein Area Chief's Group (US Air Force E-9’s) assumed this role. The cemetery management agreed to move the gravesites to a new area in the heart of the cemetery and drafted a new lease. The Ramstein Area Chief's Group now serves as the entrusted agent for the lease. The Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation (KKMF) was established in 1986 and its purpose is to maintain the memorial site, organize ceremonies in remembrance of the children and be a conduit of information for family inquiries. Representatives from the Ramstein Area Chief's Group and the German-American and International Women's Club serve as co-chairs for the foundation. Each spring following Mother’s Day, a memorial ceremony is sponsored by the KKMF in cooperation with the Kaiserslautern Military Community and Kaiserslautern city officials. Floral wreaths are placed at the front monument and a candle lighting ceremony takes place in memory of the children. A flower and an American flag are placed at each grave marker. The Air Force Jr. ROTC Color Guard leads the procession to the gravesite. The KKMF receives no funding from the US government. The upkeep of the Kindergraves is possible through the generous monetary donations of the local community. The Ramstein Area Chief’s Group designate organizes volunteers to accomplish year-round maintenance (grass cutting, edging, trimming, stone cleaning).

The American Kindergraves

From 1952 to 1971, 451 American infants who died at birth or shortly after birth at the American military hospital at Landstuhl or at nearby civilian hospitals, were buried in the Kaiserslautern main cemetery (Waldfriedhof) adjacent to the U.S. Army Daenner Kaserne. Members of the German-American Women's Club knew of the graves and maintained them early on. In the 1980's, the cemetery management contacted the ladies and informed them the initial lease was expiring and the remains of the American babies would be removed, in accordance with local custom, to make room for cemetery expansion. The women’s club was determined to save the children’s graves from extinction and appealed to the local Air Force base legal office for help, however they determined the military could not do anything. The club then appealed to the U.S. State Department. They too determined that they had no authority in the matter.

After the German authorities realized the steadfast position of the women’s club, the cemetery management agreed to allow a private organization directly affiliated with the military to assume responsibility for the gravesites. The Ramstein Area Chief's Group (US Air Force E-9’s) assumed this role. The cemetery management agreed to move the gravesites to a new area in the heart of the cemetery and drafted a new lease. The Ramstein Area Chief's Group now serves as the entrusted agent for the lease.

The Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation (KKMF) was established in 1986 and its purpose is to maintain the memorial site, organize ceremonies in remembrance of the children and be a conduit of information for family inquiries. Representatives from the Ramstein Area Chief's Group and the German-American and International Women's Club serve as co-chairs for the foundation.

Each spring following Mother’s Day, a memorial ceremony is sponsored by the KKMF in cooperation with the Kaiserslautern Military Community and Kaiserslautern city officials. Floral wreaths are placed at the front monument and a candle lighting ceremony takes place in memory of the children. A flower and an American flag are placed at each grave marker. The Air Force Jr. ROTC Color Guard leads the procession to the gravesite.

The KKMF receives no funding from the US government. The upkeep of the Kindergraves is possible through the generous monetary donations of the local community. The Ramstein Area Chief’s Group designate organizes volunteers to accomplish year-round maintenance (grass cutting, edging, trimming, stone cleaning).