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

Inscription. 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: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II.

Location. 41° 52.423′ N, 87° 47.362′ W. Memorial is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of South East Avenue and Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling south on South East Avenue. The monument is on the grounds of Ascension Catholic Church, near the labyrinth about 100 feet south of the entrance to the sanctuary. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Oak Park IL 60304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the

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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: Oak Park Conservatory (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elvira Rubinstein (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gold Star Men of the World War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (approx. 0.4 miles away); The New [Green] Bungalow (approx. half a mile away); "Family-Style" Electric Home (approx. half a mile away); Growing a Community: Principal John Hodge and the White Oak (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Gold Star Men of the World War (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this memorial. 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

Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan Memorial image. Click for full size.

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

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 11th Armored, 19-year-old James J. Walsh, died a few days apart in Belgium.

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 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

Staff Sergeant John Thomas Brennan monument and Ascension Church image. Click for full size.

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

Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park, Illinois image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, October 8, 2023

4. Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park, Illinois

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.