Margraten Cemetery Removed Panels Honoring Black American Soldiers
Removal of Black American Soldier Panels at Margraten Cemetery: What Happened and Why It Matters
Last update: 11 November 2025: 14:30.
The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. It is the resting place of 8,288 American casualties from World War II and has 1,722 names recorded on the Wall of the Missing. The site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission(ABMC).
Among those buried at Margraten are 174 Black Americans, including Medal of Honor recipient Willy F. James Jr.
The grave of Willy F. James at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.
Recent Removal of Panels
Recently, it was observed that two panels dedicated to the history of Black Americans in the U.S. military and the death of George H. Pruitt (43rd Signal Construction Battalion) were removed from the visitors center at the cemetery. Pruitt himself is interred in Margraten. The removals have sparked questions both locally and internationally.
The discussion began after a Dutch newspaper, NRC, published an article on November 7, 2025: Op Margraten zijn twee panelen over zwarte Amerikaanse bevrijders ineens weg: past bij beleid van de regering Trump. The title in Dutch reads: "At Margraten, two panels about black American liberators have suddenly disappeared: this fits in with the Trump administration's policy."
What Was On The Panels?
The two panels contained information in Dutch and English about Black Americans soldiers during World War II.
One panel contained the following text:
African American Servicemembers in WWII: Fighting on Two Fronts
During World War II, the U.S. military followed a strict policy of segregation. Despite the ongoing fight for civil rights at home during an era of racist policies, more than a million African Americans answered their nation's call enlisting in every branch of the military.
Although limited to serving primarily in labor and support positions, Black service members regularly faced the horrors of war. In the fall of 1944, the 960th Quartermaster Service Company (QMSC)-composed primarily of African Americans - arrived in Margraten to dig graves at the newly created cemetery. First Lieutenant Jefferson Wiggins of the 960th QMSC recounted the suffering of service members under his command who "cried when they were digging the graves... they were just completely traumatized."
President Harry S. Truman finally ordered the US military to desegregate in 1948. However, African Americans' fight for civil rights was far from over. Many Black soldiers, including Wiggins, returned home to become leaders in the Civil Rights movement. The achievements of African American service members in WWII served as a powerful claim for equality then and now.
The other highlighted George H. Pruitt, a Technician Fourth Class, who drowned while attempting to save a comrade. He was a member of the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion, also known as the 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Soldiers Medal, which was given to his widow Blanche Pruitt. The panel indicated he was buried at Plot L, Row 4, Grave 4 and contained this text in Dutch and English:
George H. Pruitt was born on March 26th 1922, in Camden, New Jersey. On December 31st 1942, Pruitt enlisted and was assigned to the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion.
On June 10th 1945, Pruilt and his comrades were constructing a telephone line across a river in Bremen, when one of them fell into the fast flowing river. Without hesitation, Pruitt dove into the water to save him. Despite multiple attempts, he was not able to save his comrade. The river also claimed the life of Pruitt, he was 23 years old.
George H. Pruitt was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal. His widow, Blanche Pruitt, received the award during an Armistice Day celebration in his hometown on November 13th 1945.
George H. Pruitt of the 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. Image taken from the book: 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion, 1945, page 78. Book is in possession of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.
Official Responses from the American Battle Monuments Commission
In the article it notes: According to Hélène Chaulin, ABMC spokesperson, “these panels [like the one about Pruitt] were designed to rotate regularly throughout the exhibition's run, so that as many individual stories as possible are featured.” She clarified: “The panel is currently not on display, but not out of rotation.”
When asked specifically about the panel covering Black American gravediggers, there was no answer provided. The spokesperson further noted that two portrait photographs out of 200 on display remain and in a 15-minute documentary there is still a fragment featuring Black soldiers digging graves. One minor note, but the NRC article stated, “a portrait photo has been placed next to the five white soldiers. Of the Black soldier James, only a photo of his gravestone is visible, while photos of him are circulating online.” This is incorrect, as no known photographs of Willy F. James exist.
Napoleon Black, one of the Black American liberators of WWII, is listed on the Wall of Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Political and Local Reactions in Limburg
A follow-up NRC article (Nov. 8, 2025) described how several political parties in the provincial executive council of Limburg are now discussing a temporary memorial site to honor Black American soldiers: Limburgse statenleden willen tijdelijke herdenkingsplek voor zwarte bevrijders. The title in Dutch reads: "Limburg provincial council members want a temporary memorial site for Black liberators".
Local Limburg news source L1Nieuws shared additional context from cemetery caretakers: Verdwenen panelen zwarte bevrijders op begraafplaats Margraten onderdeel van roulerend systeem. “Due to the limited space in the visitors center there are often changes in the different panels, so that continually several stories can be told.” This echoes the earlier statements from the ABMC in the NRC article.
De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, wrote an article titled: The article mentions that this appears to be part of the battle against what the Trump government calls 'woke'. The article mentions how the Trump government also made edits to the training videos of American air force pilots and how thousands of web articles were deleted with stories or images about Black, native, LGBTIQ+, or female veterans.
Nu.nl, an Dutch newssite, wrote an article titled: Limburg wil dat VS borden over zwarte soldaten op WO II-begraafplaats terugzet
NOS, the Dutch state news broadcast, wrote this article on their website: Limburg roept VS op om panelen over zwarte soldaten terug te plaatsen. The title reads: "Limburg calls on US to put back the panels".
English Language Sources
NL-Times, an English-language Dutch news sources, wrote about it here: Limburg demands answers over U.S. whitewashing of Black history at WWII cemetery
The article is similar to the NRC article and includes the quote that it is "indecent and unacceptable" to remove the panels as well as 'They stated the move "does not do justice to history.'" The article also mentions that Limburg King's Commissioner Emile Roemer shares the concerns and will meet with the US ambassador to talk about the issue.
Dutch News, another English-language Dutch news site, wrote about it here:Calls for permanent memorial in Limburg to black US liberators
The article is similar to the original NRC articles, including the political parties which asked to replace the plaques.
Dutch News also published a follow-up article: Mayor calls for Black Liberators to be commemorated at Margraten
The article notes that the mayor submitted as request to put back the panels.
Internnational News
The newspage Newsweek has published an article titled: Memorial to Black US Soldiers Who Died in WW2 Quietly Removed The article is similar to the NRC articles, but also includes extra information from the Black Liberators, such as "might explain the removal of the story of Technician Fourth Class George H. Pruitt, even though it was already the last story to be added, it does not explain why the panel highlighting racial segregation was removed".
What Makes It So Sensitive?
Margraten Cemetery is a symbol of international gratitude. It’s the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands and Dutch families have cared for American graves for generations. Black American soldiers played a crucial role in Europe’s liberation in WWII.
For many years, their sacrifice was overlooked, forgotten, or left out of public memory. The panels in the visitors center helped people to get a fuller understanding of history. By focusing on the experiences and sacrifices of Black soldiers, they let visitors understand not just heroism in battle, but also the difficulties and discrimination Black Americans faced, while fighting for freedom. When this aspect of history is removed or minimized, it sends a message about whose contributions are valued, and it makes it harder for current and future generations to learn from both the victories and the struggles of the past.
Honoring all those who served and died for our freedom helps people to understand the present better as well as lead to understanding across social groups. It thus helps create a better society.
What’s Next?
This situation is ongoing. Local officials and community members are seeking ways to honor the sacrifice of Black American soldiers. As more information becomes available, this article will be updated to remain a comprehensive and reliable resource.
If you have new information, send me message! This article aims to serve as the go-to source for updates on this important issue.
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The grave of Whitney C. Bland, of the 784th Tank Battalion, a Black American unit, at the Margraten Cemetery.
