Bridgeport in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic World War II Victory Garden
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 25, 2024
1. Historic World War II Victory Garden Marker
Eric Lill, United States Army, KIA Iraq Larry Strom, United States Army, KIA Vietnam Melvin Osterreich, United States Army, KIA WWII Robert Conroy, United States Army, KIA WWII John Joseph Victory, United States Army, KIA Vietnam James Dragon, United States Navy, KIA WWII Pvt. James V. Fresso, United States Army, KIA WWII Charles Hobler, United States Marine Corps, KIA WWII Edward A. Kiaune, United States Army Air Force, KIA WWII
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, 2nd Iraq • War, Vietnam • War, World II.
Location. 41° 50.389′ N, 87° 38.273′ W. Memorial is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bridgeport. It is on Canal Street south of 30th Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 3004 South Canal Street, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is 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: A different marker also named Historic World War II Victory Garden (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial
this page online
More about this memorial. An identical marker, facing north, is about 15 feet away. Another sign commemorating a World War II Victory Garden, about three blocks northwest of here, includes the same text at the top but does not include the names.
This marker includes the names of nine Bridgeport men who died in war. However, it does not include four additional Bridgeport men who died in battle and who had parks in this south side Chicago neighborhood renamed after them. They are James Humbert, Florian Jacolik, Joseph McKeon Jr. and Gregory Sintic.
Regarding Historic World War II Victory Garden. Army specialist Eric Lill was 28 years old when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad on July 6, 2007. Lill
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 25, 2024
2. Historic World War II Victory Garden, south marker
Pfc. Larry Strom grew up on the same block of Canal Street as this memorial. He was 20 years old when he was killed on December 26, 1966, when the military vehicle he was riding in was struck by a roadside bomb. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in suburban Evergreen Park.
Melvin Oesterreich (the sign says Osterreich, but official documents as well as contemporary news reports about his death have the additional "e" in his last name) was a 27-year-old private first class in the U.S. Army's 124th Infantry when he was killed on January 4, 1945, during the Battle of Bulge. He was survived by his parents, three siblings and his wife, Ruth. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery on Chicago's far south side.
Robert J. Conroy, an aerial gunner, was one of 10 men killed when the B-24J Liberator bomber they were flying was shot down on January 15, 1944, on a mission from China. According to his death notice, he lived at 3019 South Parnell, which is two blocks west of this memorial. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park.
John Joseph Victory was one of two men killed on
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 25, 2024
3. Historic World War II Victory Garden, north marker
James W. Dragon Jr. lived at 3042 S. Normal Ave., a block west of this memorial, and was working at Walgreen's at the time that he registered for the draft in 1942. Dragon served as a seaman first class in the Navy; he was 21 years old when he died at a naval base in Papua New Guinea on December 4, 1943. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Private James V. Fresso was killed in action in Germany on October 15, 1944. His address at the time of his enlistment was 436 W. 31st Street, less than a block south of this memorial. Fresso is buried at Quincy National Cemetery in western Illinois, about 275 miles southeast of this memorial.
Although listed with the last name "Hobler" here, this sign is almost certainly referencing Charles Theodore Hubler, a Marine corporal who died at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, about two months before his 21st birthday. Born in Platteville, Wisconsin, his family lived in Bridgeport throughout his childhood. He is buried in Platteville's Hillside Cemetery.
Edward Kiaune, son of Lithuanian immigrants, was born and raised in this neighborhood. He enlisted in 1942. He died in June 1944, at age 29, of wounds he received in battle; the place of his injury and death could not be confirmed. He is buried at Saint Casimir Lithuanian Cemetery on the far south side of Chicago.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
