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Münsingen, Switzerland
During World War II, there was an American Military Cemetery in Münsingen. Although it no longer holds the remains of our fallen, the ground itself remains a sacred bridge to the past. Located within the town’s municipal cemetery on Bernstrasse, this site, now called Münsingen Cemetery, was once the temporary resting site for 60 American airmen and one American civilian who lost their lives over Swiss soil.
In the years following the war, a massive effort was undertaken to bring these men closer to their families. Between 1946 and 1947, the remains were carefully disinterred, and repatriated to the United States and Épinal American Cemetery in France.
On May 30, 1946, the American Minister to Switzerland, Leland Harrison, dedicated a bronze commemorative plaque. It reads: "American Military Cemetery. Sacred to the memory of sixty-one young Americans who gave their lives in service of their country 1943-1945. May they rest in peace."
Six men from the 384th Bomb Group were originally buried here:
2nd Lt. Everett Lee Bailey⇗, Age: 20 (Co-Pilot)
Home state: Oklahoma
Missions flown: 21
Resting place: Fairlawn Cemetery, Stillwater, Oklahoma
2nd Lt. Jesse Leon Greenebaum⇗, Age: 20 (Bombardier)
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Missions flown: 1
Resting place: Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York
S/Sgt. Frank Valentine Horetski⇗, Age: 23 (Ball Turret Gunner)
Hometown: Port Austin, Michigan
Missions flown: 10
Resting place: Épinal American Cemetery, France: Plot B, Row 2, Grave 12
Sgt. Anthony Theodore Melazzi Jr.⇗, Age: 22 (Ball Turret Gunner)
Home state: Massachusetts
Missions flown: 1
Resting place: Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York
Sgt. Sidney John Pratt⇗, Age: 21 (Tail Gunner)
Hometown: Mason County, Michigan
Missions flown: 1
Resting place: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Baraboo, Wisconsin
Sgt. Richard Michael Sendlbeck⇗, Age: 21 (Waist Gunner)
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Missions flown: 1
Resting place: Mount Calvary Cemetery, New York
Further details about the memorial and location can be found on American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.⇗
2nd Lt. Everett Lee Bailey
Courtesy of American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
S/Sgt. Frank Valentine Horetski
Courtesy of Find a Grave
Sgt. Richard Michael Sendlbeck
Courtesy of American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
Memorial Plaque
Courtesy of American War Memorials Overseas, Inc. and the B-17 Museum in Utzenstrorf, Switzerland
The American flag still flies today at the cemetery
Courtesy of American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
American Military Cemetery
Courtesy of American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
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