Rosette placed for Missouri soldier

American Battle Monuments Commission staff placed a bronze rosette next to the name of U.S. Army Pvt. William A. Smith on the Wall of the Missing July 17 at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, signifying he has been accounted for.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Smith’s identification on July 9, 2024. Smith, who was from Syracuse, Missouri, and was 21 when declared missing, will be buried Nov. 11, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri.

When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, the ABMC places a rosette beside their name on the Walls of the Missing. This rosette, a symbol of eternity, is crafted from the laurel wreath—a timeless emblem of honor and victory. Encircled by the eight-points of a compass, it signifies America's commitment, reaching out in all directions to recover their remains from the farthest corners of the earth.

This rosette is one of more than 900 that have been placed beside the names of missing service members at ABMC sites around the world. Smith's rosette is the 28th to be placed on the Wall of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery, which includes the names of 1,557 service members.