Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
World War II, 1941-1945
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
1. World War II, 1941-1945 Marker
Inscription.
World War II, 1941-1945. . Fascist Italy began expanding its empire in Africa beginning in 1935. Imperial Japan invaded China in 1937. These were the early rumblings of a worldwide conflict. Nazi Germany sparked World War II by invading Poland in 1939. As in World War I, a portion of Americans believed at first that the United States should not become involved in conflict on other continents. On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces bombed the US naval fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. After this direct attack, the United States mobilized for "total war" against the imperial overreach of the Axis powers. Hundreds of Des Plaines citizens enlisted or were drafted for military duty, while thousands of others worked in factories on the home front. The US dead totaled over 400,000, including 31 from Des Plaines. Their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion. , , [Caption beneath photo:] , The six Radlein brothers from Des Plaines served in the US military during World War II. Fortunately, all of them returned home to their mother, Bertha. Not all families were so fortunate.
Fascist Italy began expanding its empire in Africa beginning in 1935. Imperial Japan invaded China in 1937. These were the early rumblings of a worldwide conflict. Nazi Germany sparked World War II by invading Poland in 1939. As in World War I, a portion of Americans believed at first that the United States should not become involved in conflict on other continents. On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces bombed the US naval fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. After this direct attack, the United States mobilized for "total war" against the imperial overreach of the Axis powers. Hundreds of Des Plaines citizens enlisted or were drafted for military duty, while thousands of others worked in factories on the home front. The US dead totaled over 400,000, including 31 from Des Plaines. Their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion.
[Caption beneath photo:] The six Radlein brothers from Des Plaines served in the US military during World War II. Fortunately, all of them returned home to their mother, Bertha. Not all families were so fortunate.
Erected by Des Plaines History Center.
Topics. This memorial is listed
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in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 42° 0.787′ 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. 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. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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: Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker);
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.
Caption from Journal & Topics newspaper: "James Radlein and five of his brothers served during World War II in various branches of the military. Radlein will be featured in the Des Plaines History Center exhibit."
(Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
