The American and Allied invasion and victory of North Africa is less celebrated than other significant battles against Germany. Coming early in the war it kept the Mediterranean Ocean free for shipping and supplies for battles in Europe and, importantly, guaranteed Russia of a warm water port. The cemetery, where 2,833 men were buried and 3,724 missing were honored was chosen to be placed in Tunisia.
Tunisia was a former summer platground for rich Romans who build villas and decorated them with mosaics. When Rome fell, the villas were left to the shifting sands of the Sahara, which saved the mosaics!
This cemetery is unique to the other 24 burial sites in foreign soil because it is the only one designed and executed by an American in the United States: David Holleman. The largest mural is 12′ high and 58′ long. Others are smaller to highlight important events in the battle. It took David 4 years of working 7 days a week to complete, package and number each panel [weighing 100 pounds] to be reassembled on the site in Carthage, Tunisia.
Born in Arlington, Ma in 1927, David cannot remember a time when he did not want to be an artist. He was given his first set of paints when he was six and painted a mural on his family’s coal bin. At an early age he studied art at the Ruggles Street Art Center and portraiture as an adolescent at the Scott Carbee School.
His work is owned by museums, colleges, hospitals, and private collectors
Holleman’s works are owned, among others, by the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. and the Jewish Museum in New York. His mural of the Aztec Calendar Stone, under the Foucault Pendulum, is on permanent display at Boston’s Science Museum.
