The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, created in March 1923 by an Act of the US Congress. The ABMC's mission is the construction and permanent maintenance of overseas cemeteries and memorials. Each cemetery is supervised by an American superintendent. The entire necropolis covers approximately 0,27 sq. miles (70 hectares) and forms a rectangle 1,000m long and 600m wide. The free disposal of the land was granted in perpetuity by the French government to the American as a token of gratitude for the liberation of France.