by Elke Sittel
86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office May 23, 2025
People gather during a wreath laying ceremony at the Kindergraves Memorial in Kaiserslautern, Germany, May 17, 2025. The memorial service, commemorating the 451 American infants who died shortly after birth between 1952 and 1971, consisted of a chapel service, followed by a graveside blessing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)
From 1952 to 1971 American infants, born at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center or at German hospitals nearby, who passed away at birth or shortly after, were laid to rest at the main cemetery in Kaiserslautern (Waldfriedhof) adjacent to U.S. Army Daenner Kaserne. At that time, many military members did not have the capability or funds to send the bodies to the United States.
Four hundred-fifty-two babies were buried at the cemetery and members of the German-American and International Women’s Club knew of the graves and maintained them early on, as the military families had moved on to other duty locations.
U.S. Army soldiers lay a wreath at the Kindergraves Memorial site in Kaiserslautern, Germany, May 17, 2025. Each spring following Mother’s Day, a memorial ceremony is sponsored by the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation, in cooperation with the Kaiserslautern Military Community and Kaiserslautern city officials, to commemorate the 451 American infants who died shortly after birth between 1952 and 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)
The Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation was established in 1986, and its purpose is to maintain the memorial site, organize ceremonies in remembrance of the children and be a conduit of information for family inquiries. Representatives from the Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group and the German-American Club (former German-American International Women’s Club) serve as co-chairs for the foundation.
Each spring following Mother’s Day, a memorial ceremony is sponsored by the KKMF in cooperation with the Kaiserslautern Military Community leadership and Kaiserslautern city officials. Floral wreaths are placed at the front monument and a candle lighting ceremony takes place in during the church service in memory of the children. A flower and an American flag are placed at each grave marker.
U.S. Air Force Senior MSgt. Benjamin Kadow, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Band superintendent; Renae Fischer, 86th Airlift Wing deputy director; Bruni Pütz, member of the German-American and International Women’s Club; and Tech Sgt. Bradley Green, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Band arranger, pose for a group photo at the Kindergraves Memorial site in Kaiserslautern, Germany, May 17, 2025. The Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation was established in 1986 to upkeep the memorial site honoring the 451 infants who passed between 1952 and 1971 during war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)
The upkeep of the Kindergraves is possible through the generous monetary donations of the local community. The Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group, students from the Kaiserslautern Burggymnasium and the Sergeant Morales Club organize volunteers to accomplish year-round maintenance (grass cutting, edging, trimming and stone cleaning) as well as decorating the graves for the ceremony.
U.S. and German Kaiserslautern Military Community leaders light candles during the Kindergraves Memorial Ceremony in Kaiserslautern, Germany, May 17, 2025. The memorial service, commemorating the 451 American infants who died shortly after birth between 1952 and 1971, consisted of a chapel service, followed by a graveside blessing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)
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