The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) department at WSSI had the pleasure and privilege to work on two unique projects for the American Monuments Commission (ABMC) this fall - a map of European Battle Cemeteries, and a map of Indo-China depicting elements of the Vietnam War.

The ABMC is an independent agency of the United States government headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The ABMC operates and maintains 24 American cemeteries, memorials and monuments, which honor the achievements and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces that served in wars and conflicts around the globe.

In August 2011, WSSI developed a map marking the locations of ABMC European cemeteries. This map currently serves as a visual aid for the Public and Education Outreach division of the ABMC during presentations to target audiences of travel agents and individuals planning a European trip.

The final map measured 2 ft by 2 ft and was consistent in design and color to the information pamphlets currently used by the ABMC for European Cemeteries and Memorials, and ensured that the map clearly illustrated the correct Global Positioning System (GPS) location of both World War I and World War II ABMC cemetery and memorial sites and their proximity to major European cities, well-known tourist destinations, major transportation routes, national boundaries and major connecting highways.

In November 2011, WSSI completed work on two maps for the Engineering and Maintenance division of ABMC depicting elements of the Vietnam War that will be displayed in the Honolulu Memorial in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This memorial honors the Americans achievement and the missing in action during World War II in the Pacific, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Coordinating with ABMC staff, battle historians, engineers and an artist, WSSI compiled and produced full-size printed and digital copies of a theatre map and an operational map that covered Indochina, Vietnam, portions of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and the South China Sea. Some of the specific Vietnam War elements researched and placed on the map included the 17th Parallel, and Ho Chi Minh Trail, US Air/Naval Bases, Corps Zones (CZ) I, II, II and IV, Battlegrounds including Khe San, Con Thien, and War Zone C, and US Ground Headquarters in the 1960s.

The maps created by WSSI will serve as scaled and geographically accurate templates for the fabricator and the artist. The artist will use the maps as a base to place her graphics, which will then be transferred by the fabricator onto six precast concrete panels using the polychrome mosaic or Earley Process technique. This technique allows the concrete to be colored and textured to match the existing Korean War map at the Honolulu Memorial. Each of the final mosaic maps will measure a total of 9 ft by 10 ft and will be erected in the chapel gallery of the Honolulu Memorial in December 2012.

For more information on WSSI's work with the ABMC or our comprehensive GIS capabilities, please contact Sarah Townsend.