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

Vietnam War, 1955-1975

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Vietnam War, 1955-1975 Marker

Inscription. Vietnamese independence from France became entangled with the Cold War struggle between democratic and communist global political control beginning in the 1940s. Interested world powers supported opposing governments that emerged in the new Vietnam. The United States in stages committed an increasing military presence to support the pro-western South Vietnam against insurgency and invasion perpetrated by the communist North Vietnam. The conflict escalated over more than a decade before military inadequacies and public opinion led to the United States' withdrawal in 1973-5. Just over 58,000 Americans died in military operations, including 24 from Des Plaines. Their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion.

[Caption beneath photo:]
In July 1988, a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall was on display in downtown Des Plaines. This photo taken at that event shows a Vietnam veteran mourning the loss of his comrades.

Erected by Des Plaines History Center.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 42° 0.79′ N, 87° 53.687′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street west of Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling south

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. 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: Cold War, 1946-1991 (here, next to this marker); War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021 (here, next to this marker); Gulf War, 1990-1991 (here, next to this marker); Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); Lake Park Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (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 151 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.