Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan
Photographed By Sean Flynn
1. Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan Marker
John & Cecilia Brennan have erected
this image of Our Blessed Lady
in loving memory of their beloved son
Staff Sargeant John Thomas Brennan
who was born on the 9th of April 1920,
was mortally wounded in combat
on the 14th of January 1945
and who now lies buried in France
The restoration of this statue
is in loving memory of
Ann O'Connor
who served this parish with
true kindness and compassion
Erected by John & Cecilia Brennan.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, World II.
Location. 41° 52.423′ N, 87° 47.362′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. Memorial is at the intersection of South East Avenue and Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling south on South East Avenue. The monument to Staff Sgt. John Thomas Brennan can be found on the grounds of Ascension Catholic Church, near the labyrinth is about 100 feet south of the entrance to the sanctuary. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oak Park IL 60304, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oak Park Conservatory (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gold Star Men of the World War (approx. 0.3 miles
this page online
More about this marker. The tablet is at the base of a statue to the Virgin Mary.
Regarding Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan. Staff Sgt. John Thomas Brennan was 24 years old when he was killed in Belgium as a member of the U.S. Army's 11th Armored Division. He is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery. According to a 1945 article in the Oak Leaves newspaper, he was inducted into the Army in October 1942. The 11th Armored went into combat in December 1944 and Brennan was serving as a gunner on a half track when he was killed about two weeks later in Belgium. The paper reported that Brennan and another Ascension parishioner who was a member of the
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 8, 2023
2. Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan Memorial
The tablet is at the bottom of the statue of Mary, hidden behind the vase
Brennan's draft card, filed in July 1941 in Berwyn, lists his home 3028 S. Maple Ave. in Berwyn, about three miles south of Ascension Church. He was working for the company owned by his father John Sr., John Brennan & Company, also located in Berwyn. The Oak Leaves article from 1945 said that his family at that time was living on the 700 south block of Ridgeland Avenue, about five blocks from where the statue to Mary sits today.
Additional keywords. ascension catholic church oak park
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 8, 2023
3. Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan monument and Ascension Church
The back of the statue of Mary can be seen in the left center of the photo
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 8, 2023
4. Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park, Illinois
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
