605th Graves registration QM company at Son

Just before the start of operation Market Garden the first platoon and a detachment of the Headquarters company of the 605th Graves Registration QM company were attached to the 101st airborne division. The first platoon and detachment of the 605th Graves Registration QM company arrived in Son in the afternoon of the 19th of september 1944 and started immediately with their work.

Graves registration personel of the 101st airborne division already established a cemetery site and had about 20 deceased american soldiers ready for processing and burial. The burial site selected by the Graves registration of the 101st airborne division wasn't a perfect one because of the water level of four feet. So a better location was selected by second lieutenant William F. Cocklin commanding officer of the first platoon.

Picture of the cemetery in Son taken in the spring of 1945.

The bodies of the deceased were brought to the newly selected location east from the farm called "Waterhoef" on the northern side of Son around dark on the 19th of september.

On 20 september the cemetery called " Zon cemetery #1" and "Zon cemetery #2" the last one is known as the german part of the cemetery were fully operational. About 50 to 100 German prisoners of war were brought in by 101st Airborne division members and glider pilots daily from the assembly area at the soccer field in Son to work on the cemetery.

On this day about 80 deceased servicemen were buried on the cemetery and the first ful militairy service was held in he evening which was attended by General Taylor and some members of his staff.

On the 5th of october 1944 the cemetery was closed for further burials.

US CEMETERY SON-

605th Graves registration QM company at Son