Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Belleau Wood

Formerly known as Senne Wood

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Belleau Wood Marker

Inscription.
[Text etched into the memorial:]
Named to dedicate the services rendered by the men of the Second Division in the World War
1917 - 1918
[Text of first small plaque:]
In memory of all 2nd Infantry Division soldiers that served/died during the Korean War, 1950-1953

[Text of second small plaque:]
In memory of
Arthur L. Maur
Feb. 6 1928 - Jan. 13 1979
Service 1950-1952

[Text of third small plaque:]
In memory of all 2nd Infantry Division soldiers that served/died in the DMZ in Korea, 1953-

[Text of fourth small plaque:]
N.E. Lewis
Died Jan. 24 1981—82 No. Co. WWI

John L. Baker
Died Nov. 8 1983—96 Co. WWI

Aaron L. Sparks
Jan 13 1917-July 17 1986
38th Inf WW2

Randy Crawford
May 23 1920-Sept 11 1983
Service Oct 6 1939-Jun 26 1945

[Text of fifth small plaque:]
In memory of all 2nd Infantry Division soldiers that served/died during the GWOT
2011-2017

[Text of sixth small plaque:]
Re-dedicated Sept. 24, 1977 to the men in the 2nd Divsion
World War 2 1941—1945

[Text of seventh small plaque:]
Re-dedicated Sept 24, 1977 to the men in the 2nd Division
Korea War 1950–1951

[Text of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

eighth small plaque:]
Flag pole dedicated in memory of my loving husband
Robbie Robinson
National President
1979–1979

[Text of ninth small plaque:]
Re-dedicated Nov. 11, 1998 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Des Plaines Post 2992

Erected 1926.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Korean • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 42° 2.624′ N, 87° 52.567′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of East Ballard Road and Rand on East Ballard Road. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60016, 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

Three Belleau Wood memorials in Des Plaines image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. Three Belleau Wood memorials in Des Plaines

other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Belleau Wood — June 1918 (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Belleau Wood: The 2nd Infantry's Triumph (here, next to this marker); Des Plaines River Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); First McDonald's Franchise (approx. half a mile away); Socrates Rand Grist Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association (approx. 0.6 miles away); Des Plaines Pumping Station Cornerstone (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

More about this memorial. The memorial is the middle and oldest of three markers at this spot in the Belleau Wood Forest Preserve. To the left is a history of the Battle of Belleau Wood, erected by an Eagle Scout in 2003, and to the right is a 2009 plaque and boulder in honor of the 2nd Division at Belleau Wood.

Affixed to this memorial are nine small plaques that have been added over the past 100 years, honoring the 2nd Marine Division's participation in other military actions and local veterans.

Regarding Belleau Wood. Belleau

The 2nd Division's "Indianhead" insignia image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. The 2nd Division's "Indianhead" insignia

The memorial includes the 2nd Division's "Indianhead" insignia—an Indian's head over a white star— which was assigned to the division during World War I and gave the unit its long-standing nickname.

Wood was one of the biggest battles involving U.S. troops during World War I. Fought for nearly the entirety of June 1918, the 2nd Marine Division (honored here) along with the 3rd Marines and British and French troops defeated German troops during Germany's spring 1918 offensive. About 10,000 men died, were captured or were missing in the battle, which began June 1 and concluded on June 26.

The forest preserve's original name, Senne Wood, was almost certainly in honor of Henry Senne, a tailor who settled in this area in the 1850s and later served as a Cook County Commissioner. According to contemporary news reports, this part of the forest preserve was renamed after Belleau Wood in 1923, with the memorial erected in 1926.

Also see . . . Chicago Tribune: WWI memorial near Des Plaines receives Landmarks Illinois grant.

Excerpt: "By 1923, the portion of forest preserve at Rand and Ballard roads in Des Plaines was renamed in recognition of the Belleau Wood battle, a piece published that year by the Chicago Tribune indicated. A 1930 article reported that two trees, reportedly taken from the battlefield in France, were replanted
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

4. View from across the street
In the foreground is a historical marker about the Des Plaines River Trail.
at Belleau Wood in Des Plaines.... The memorial to the 4,000 soldiers killed was originally dedicated on June 5, 1926, and the dedication ceremony was attended by 3,000 2nd Division veterans, the Tribune reported."

(Submitted on March 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Painting of the Battle of Belleau Wood image. Click for full size.

Painting by Frank E. Schoonover; courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy

5. Painting of the Battle of Belleau Wood

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, this painting of the Battle of Belleau Wood is in the possession of the U.S. Marine Corps Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on March 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.