Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gold Star Men of the World War
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 7, 2023
1. Gold Star Men of the World War Marker
Erected 1921 by Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.
Location. 41° 54.066′ N, 87° 46.723′ W. Memorial is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Hayes Street 0.1 miles Chicago Avenue, on the right when traveling north. It is inside Andersen Park, next to a flagpole, between Andersen Center and the park's playground. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 824 Hayes, Oak Park IL 60302, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Origins of the Literary Fairy Tale (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Life of Hans Christian Andersen (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry A. Taylor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Edgar Rice Burroughs House
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Life and Times of Hans Christian Andersen (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this memorial. This marker is one of at least five similar monuments dedicated to "Gold Star Men of the World War" that can be found in neighborhood parks in Oak Park. The memorials were dedicated on November 11, 1921, along with individual elm trees that were planted for each of the men listed. At the time the marker was dedicated, this park was known Watts Playground.
Regarding Gold Star Men of the World War. All eight of the men named on this marker in Andersen Park are also listed on the Peace Triumphant memorial
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 7, 2023
2. Gold Star Men of the World War in Andersen Park
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed by Sean Flynn
3. Gunnar Dahl (1898-1918)
Gunnar Dahl was one of two Oak Park men who were killed by the same shell during fighting in Aisne, France. According to Chicago Tribune reports after his death, Dahl and David Thor were classmates who enlisted in the Marines together in 1917 and were serving together in 1918 when they died near the village of Lucy-le-Bocage. The Tribune reported that they were both members of Austin Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. William Swenson, pastor of that church, was quoted in the July 11, 1918, Tribune saying: "When I read in the Tribune the death of these two noble young men, I cried like a child. I couldn't help it. I knew the boys well. They were, as the Tribune said, like Damon and Pythias. But we as a people must prepare ourselves for just such news."
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 27, 2026
4. Gold Star Men of the World War Marker (2026 view)
The stone with the marker was embedded into concrete in the wall way to the Andersen Park building.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on May 27, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
