La Grange in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Veteran's Memorial

Robert E. Coulter Jr. Post 1941

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 9, 2024

1. Veteran's Memorial Marker, Side One

Inscription. The American Legion and Auxiliary La Grange, IL. dedicate this memorial in appreciation for the contributions made by the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America to preserve the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.

Erected 1998 by American Legion Robert E. Coulter Jr. Post 1941.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Patriots & Patriotism.

Location. 41° 47.854′ N, 87° 52.154′ W. Memorial is in La Grange, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of South La Grange Road (U.S. 45) and 51st Street, on the right when traveling south on South La Grange Road. The marker is in front of the American Legion Post 1941 building. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 900 South La Grange Road, La Grange IL 60525, 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.

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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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); John H. Brancato, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Specialist John R. Sullivan (approx. half a mile away); Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); La Grange Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Veterans Memorial Tree (approx. one mile away); Anne Marcisz Memorial Pathway (approx. one mile away); World War I Memorial Trees (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

More about this memorial. A plaque on the rear honors the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as four women's military group.

Also see . . . American Legion Post 1941. The post is dedicated to Robert E. Coulter Jr.

Excerpt: "‘The last mission’ [of] Major Robert E. Coulter Jr. over North Africa on February 1, 1943 …. the two Messerschmitt 109s pointed for Major Coulter, piloting the lead
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 9, 2024

2. Veteran's Memorial Marker, Side Two
ship of the formation. Guns were hammering, and maybe the 109 fighters had been struck by our bullets. As the 109 began a roll through the bomber formation, it crashed into Coulter’s plane, ripping off a wing. Coulter’s bomber burst into flames and started earthward in an uncontrollable spiral. Three men bailed out. Coulter and the rest of the crew were killed on impact Major coulter had previously flown 35 missions in Europe. Coulter’s crew bombed a German submarine pen over Lorient, France and a U-boat base in St. Nazaire, France. Major Coulter earned the Air Medal with three oak clusters and a Silver Star. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously."

(Submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Veteran's Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 9, 2024

3. Veteran's Memorial

Pavers are set in front of the memorial; a pentagonal bench behind the memorial is etched with the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Veterans Memorial Flagpole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 9, 2024

4. Veterans Memorial Flagpole

A veterans memorial flagpole sits just north of this later veterans memorial, in front of American Legion Post 1941.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.