South Carolina soldier accounted for with rosette
Epinal American Cemetery staff installed a rosette Dec. 10 on the Wall of the Missing to signify that U.S. Army Pfc. Arthur W. Crossland Jr. has been accounted for.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Crossland’s identification on Dec. 6. Crossland, who was 19 at the time of his death, was killed during Operation Nordwind in March 1945 while assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division in the European Theater. While his remains were initially unable to be recovered, they were later identified as those in an unknown grave at Normandy American Cemetery.
Crossland will be buried March 14, 2025, in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.
When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, ABMC places a rosette beside their name on the Walls of the Missing. This rosette, a symbol of eternity, is crafted as a bronze rosemary 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 2,000 that have been placed beside the names of missing service members at ABMC sites around the world. The placement of this rosette brings the total to 38 on the Wall of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery, which includes the names of 424 service members.