Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

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Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Monument

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is a military cemetery in the Philippines honoring US and allied personnel killed in World War II. Visitors come for its vast rows of white marble headstones, extensive mosaic maps and tranquil, tree-lined lawns.

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Manila American Cemetery and Memorial essentials

Address: Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial sits inside Fort Bonifacio and contains 17,206 graves, the largest number of graves of any cemetery for U.S. personnel killed in World War II. Many interred or commemorated personnel died in campaigns across the Pacific, including the Philippines and New Guinea.

Headstones of Lasa marble are arranged in eleven plots that form a broadly circular pattern amid lawns and a variety of tropical trees, with a central mall lined by mahogany trees and a circular fountain at the entrance plaza. The grounds are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission and are laid out to be solemn and easy to walk.

The memorial building houses 25 large mosaic maps across several rooms that recall Allied operations in the Pacific, China, India and Burma, and the floors bear carved seals of U.S. states and territories. Notable commemorations on site include the Tablets of the Missing, the Camp O’Donnell Memorial, and many Medal of Honor recipients; the cemetery is open daily to the public except December 25 and January 1.

  • Circular headstone plots: Eleven interlocking plots of white Lasa marble headstones laid out in a generally circular pattern create a powerful visual tribute.
  • Central mall and fountain: The entrance plaza, circular fountain and mahogany-lined central mall form the ceremonial axis of the site and are good places to pause.
  • Memorial building mosaics: Twenty-five large mosaic maps inside the memorial recall major campaigns across the Pacific, China, India and Burma.
  • Tablets of the Missing and Camp O'Donnell Memorial: Tablets list those without graves and the Camp O’Donnell Memorial commemorates POWs and those who died in captivity.
  • Notable graves: Burials and memorials include many Medal of Honor recipients and other individuals notable for actions in the Pacific theatre.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Manila American Cemetery and Memorial#

Manila has a tropical monsoon climate; the most comfortable time to visit is the drier, cooler months when rainfall is much lower.

Winter (best)
November - February · 22°C - 32°C (72°F - 90°F)
These months are the driest and relatively cooler, making walking around the cemetery more comfortable and limiting the chance of heavy rain.
Hot season
March - May · 23°C - 34°C (73°F - 93°F)
Temperatures rise and humidity increases; visits are possible but mornings are preferable to avoid midday heat.
Monsoon (wet)
June - October · 24°C - 33°C (75°F - 91°F)
This period brings heavy rainfall, especially June to August, and a higher risk of storms, so expect wet grounds and possible disruptions.

Weather & Climate near Manila American Cemetery and Memorial#

Climate

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (2095 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 93 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 22° - 31° 26° 20 mm overcast 86% 3.0 m/s 1.5 very high 11.3h
February Excellent 22° - 32° 27° 9 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.6 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
March Excellent 23° - 33° 32° 14 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
April Very Good 24° - 34° 34° 25 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.3h
May Good 25° - 34° 36° 139 mm partly cloudy 78% 2.3 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.7h
June Acceptable 25° - 33° 34° 251 mm overcast 84% 2.3 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.8h
July Acceptable 24° - 32° 33° 374 mm overcast 87% 2.4 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.8h
August Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 432 mm overcast 88% 2.4 m/s 2.0 very high 12.5h
September Acceptable 24° - 32° 33° 327 mm overcast 88% 2.2 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
October Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 272 mm overcast 88% 2.2 m/s 1.7 very high 11.7h
November Good 23° - 31° 32° 147 mm overcast 89% 2.9 m/s 1.5 very high 11.3h
December Good 22° - 31° 27° 85 mm overcast 89% 3.2 m/s 1.3 high 11.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Manila American Cemetery and Memorial#

The cemetery is within the Metro Manila area; the nearest major airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila). It is located in the Fort Bonifacio area near Bonifacio Global City and is accessed from the road network around Manila and surrounding business districts.

From the city or airport the last stretch is typically covered by taxi or ride-hailing services; it is also reached from nearby business districts such as Makati by a short road trip. Expect to pass a military sentinel post at the entrance and follow signs to the visitors’ building and cemetery plaza.

Tips for Visiting Manila American Cemetery and Memorial#

  • Observe silence and respectful behavior; this is an active war cemetery and memorial.
  • Check opening days locally before you go, as the cemetery is closed on December 25 and January 1.
  • Bring sun protection and water in the dry season and a rain jacket in the wet months, since the grounds are open and largely exposed.
  • Photography is generally possible on the grounds, but be discreet and avoid photographing people without permission.