Story perspectives

Panels Removed: Calls for African American Soldier Memorial

11/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Two informational panels at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten were removed, detailing U.S. Army soldier George H. Pruitt and U.S. military segregation policies.
Approximately 1 million African American soldiers served in Europe, with 174 buried or memorialized at the Margraten site.
Local officials were not informed of the removal.
Discussions are underway for an alternative memorial recognizing African American soldiers' contributions to the Netherlands’ liberation.

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Story summary

Two informational panels at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten were removed, detailing U.S. Army soldier George H. Pruitt and U.S. military segregation policies.
Approximately 1 million African American soldiers served in Europe, with 174 buried or memorialized at the Margraten site.
Local officials were not informed of the removal.
Discussions are underway for an alternative memorial recognizing African American soldiers' contributions to the Netherlands’ liberation.