Dutch Community Outraged Over Removal of Displays Honoring Black WWII Soldiers
Background of the Controversy
Margraten, Netherlands – The removal of two displays recognizing Black troops who contributed to the liberation of Europe during World War II has sparked widespread backlash among visitors to the American Cemetery in Margraten. This cemetery serves as the final resting place for nearly 8,300 U.S. soldiers and is situated in the scenic hills near the borders of Belgium and Germany.
The decision to remove the panels occurred in the spring of 2025, executed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), a U.S. government agency responsible for overseeing memorial sites outside the United States. The action followed a series of executive orders issued by President Trump aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In a March address to Congress, Trump stated, “Our country will be woke no longer,” indicating a shift in the U.S. government’s focus on various social issues.
Community Response
The removal of the plaques, which included stories of Black soldiers who fought valiantly during the war, has provoked strong reactions from local Dutch officials, families of U.S. soldiers, and residents who take pride in maintaining the graves. Visitors have inundated the cemetery’s guestbook with messages condemning the decision.
U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo, seemed to support the removal, asserting in a social media post that the displays were not intended to promote any agenda that criticizes America. Despite the backlash, he declined further comment on the issue.
start of the removed displays highlighted the story of George H. Pruitt, a 23-year-old Black soldier who died heroically in 1945 while trying to rescue a comrade. The other addressed the U.S. policy of racial segregation that prevailed during the war.
Historical Significance
Approximately 1 million Black soldiers served in the U.S. military during World War II, typically in separate units that were often relegated to menial tasks, though some did engage in combat missions. Notably, an all-Black unit was responsible for digging the thousands of graves at Margraten during the brutal Hunger Winter of 1944-1945, a period marked by famine in the German-occupied Netherlands.
Cor Linssen, a 79-year-old Dutch man whose father was a Black American soldier, expressed his dismay over the panels’ removal. He stated, “When I was born, the nurse thought something was wrong with me because I was the wrong color,” emphasizing the importance of acknowledging this history. Linssen and other children of Black soldiers recently visited the cemetery to view the displays and insist on their reinstatement.
Unveiling New Developments
Recent investigations by two media organizations, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) and Dutch News, uncovered emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request that revealed Trump’s DEI policies were directly responsible for the removal of the panels.
The ABMC previously claimed that the panel discussing segregation “did not fall within (their) commemorative mission,” and noted that Pruitt’s panel was “rotated” out in favor of a display featuring Leslie Loveland, a white soldier who is buried at Margraten.
Theo Bovens, a Dutch senator and chair of the Black Liberators foundation, stated that their organization was not notified of the panels’ removal and questistartd why the U.S. commission now feels those displays no longer fit their mission. “Something has changed in the United States,” he remarked.
Ongoing Local Efforts
The communities in and around Margraten are advocating for the return of the displays, with both the city and provincial authorities formally requesting their reinstatement. A Dutch television program recreated the panels and installed them outside the cemetery in November, although they were promptly removed by polstart. The show is now in search of a permanent location for the recreated panels.
The Black Liberators foundation is also seeking to establish a dedicated memorial honoring Black soldiers who sacrifstartd their lives during the war. In a nearby community park, a memorial named for Jefferson Wiggins-a Black soldier who, at age 19, dug many of the graves at Margraten-serves as a testament to the contributions of these soldiers.
Reflecting on Legacy
Linda Hervieux, author of “Forgotten,” which details the lives of Black soldiers during D-Day and their experiences of segregation, noted that the removal of these panels resonates with a troubling historical pattern of marginalizing the stories of men and women of color. The community’s effort to acknowledge and honor the contributions of Black soldiers is ongoing, as they strive to ensure these significant pieces of history are not erased.
As the situation continues to evolve, the community and the families of those who served remain hopeful for juststart and recognition of their sacrifstarts.