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

Gulf War, 1990-1991

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Gulf War, 1990-1991 Marker

Inscription. Due to unresolved conflicts over national debts and petroleum rights, Iraq invaded and annexed the country of Kuwait in August 1990. The United States deployed military assets to the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia to prevent further Iraqi expansion. After Iraq refused to withdraw from Kuwait, a US-led coalition drove Iraqi forces out in less than two months. Just under 300 Americans lost their lives in the Gulf War, none of them from Des Plaines.

[Caption beneath photo:]
Des Plaines resident Matt Didier (standing second from right) with comrades and locals during the Gulf

Erected by Des Plaines History Center.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1990.

Location. 42° 0.789′ N, 87° 53.685′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street east of Fargo Avenue. The marker is in Lake Park, near the memorial pavilion just east of Lake Opeka. It is part of the memorial garden walk, 11 signs that discuss America's military engagements and Des Plaines's link to them, that sits behind the POW/MIA memorial. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60018, 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 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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: Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021 (here, next to this marker); Cold War, 1946-1991 (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); Lake Park Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Vietnam War, 1955-1975 (here, next to this marker); Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker); Civil War, 1861-1865 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

Memorial Garden Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. Memorial Garden Walk

Between Lake Park's memorial pavilion and the POW/MIA memorial is a small "garden walk" that includes 11 signs describing America's military history and Des Plaines's link.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.