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

Korean War, 1950-1975

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Korean War, 1950-1975 Marker

Inscription. Following World War II, Korea was divided into a north section overseen by the Soviet Union and a south section overseen by the United States. The north was soon placed in the hands of a communist dictatorship, whereas the south created a democratic government that was soon corrupted by opportunists. The north began a civil war for control of the entire Korean peninsula in June 1950. The United States sought to prevent a communist triumph that could encourage further incursions into democratic countries. The campaign succeeded in liberating South Korea, but became a stalemate when China stepped in to support North Korea. Active warfare ended in 1953 with a ceasefire, but Korea remains tensely partitioned at the 38th parallel. Nearly 40,000 Americans died in the war, including five from Des Plaines. Their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion.

[Caption beneath photo:]
Des Plaines native Albert Klippert served as a pilot for the US Army in World War II and the US Air Force in the Korean War.

Erected by Des Plaines History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 42° 0.788′ N, 87° 53.686′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois,

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in Cook County. It is on Lee Street west of Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling south. 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. Marker is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker 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: Lake Park Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (here, next to this marker); World War I, 1917-1918 (here, next to this marker); Gulf War, 1990-1991 (here, next to this marker); Spanish-American War, 1898 (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

Also see . . . Des Plaines History Center: Albert Klippert's WWII Escape Map (YouTube video). This video from the Des Plaines History Center displays Albert Klippert's World War II escape map, which is part of the museum's collections.

YouTube caption: "Check out the WWII escape [map] issued to US Army pilot Albert Klippert. He and his crew bailed out of their B-24 over liberated France. If they had gone
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.
down behind enemy lines, they would have relied on one of these maps to guide them in finding refuge or a path to escape. Many people call these "silk escape maps," and they are silky in texture; but they are actually made of lightweight rayon fabric."

(Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

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 127 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.