River Grove in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
River Grove World War II Memorial
Photographed By Sean Flynn
1. River Grove World War II Memorial Marker
For God and country
This tablet is dedicated
in honor of
the
men and women of River Grove
Illinois who answered their
country's call in World War II
and
in memory of
these men who made
the supreme sacrifice
George Finley
Louis Kyriazopulos
Pasquale Pizzirulli
Christen Hansen
Erected 1945.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is May 31, 1945.
Location. 41° 55.636′ N, 87° 50.134′ W. Marker is in River Grove, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on Thatcher Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of the River Grove municipal building, flanked by a Vietnam War memorial to the left and a Korean War memorial to the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2621 N Thatcher Ave, River Grove IL 60171, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Korean War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Evangelists Shrine (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. Joseph Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Apollo Test Capsule
this page online
More about this memorial. On the bottom left portion of this memorial is a stone dedicated in 1978 by a local VFW post and a local American Legion post to all veterans of River Grove. On the bottom right is a stone with the quote "A Future to Hold," presented by River Grove's Bicentennial Commission in 1976.
Regarding River Grove World War II Memorial. George Finley was a boatswain's mate, second class, on the USS Argonaut submarine in the Pacific Theater. He was killed in action when the Argonaut was destroyed by Japanese fire, on January 10, 1943, near the island of New Britain.
Louis Kyriazopulos was born in River Grove and lived at 2826 North Thatcher, about a quarter-mile north of the monument. He was a 23-year-old sergeant in the 501st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion and was killed in action in May 1943 on Attu Island. His remains were returned in 1946 and he is buried in Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Pasquale Pizzirulli was killed in action in Limey,
Photographed By Sean Flynn
2. River Grove World War II Memorial
Christen Hansen Jr. was living with his grandfather, H.E. Hoyle, in River Grove when he submitted his draft card on October 18, 1943, the day after his 18th birthday. A private first class in the 26th Marines, 5th Marines Division, Hansen died on March 4, 1945 at the age of 19. He is buried near his parents in Macon County, Illinois, near Decatur, about 185 miles southwest of River Grove.
Photographed By Sean Flynn
3. VFW/American Legion memorial
Photographed By Sean Flynn
4. "A Future to Hold," from River Grove's Bicentennial Commission
Photographed By Sean Flynn
5. River Grove Municipal Building and war memorials
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
