Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
World War I, 1917-1918
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
1. World War I, 1917-1918 Marker
Inscription.
World War I, 1917-1918. . When war broke out among European nations in 1914, the United States went to great lengths to remain neutral. After Germany sank the passenger liner RMS Lusitania in 1915, killing American citizens, public opinion began to swing toward US involvement. When Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico in the infamous Zimmermann Telegram and sank several US merchant vessels in 1917, the United States was triggered to act. Warfare in World War I employed poison gases, automatic rifles, tanks, and other means that created shockingly brutal battles. Nearly 250 Des Plaines residents served in the military during World War I. Seven of them perished. Two died in combat, and the other five died when the 1918 Flu Pandemic swept through the crowded and unhygienic conditions of military life during this war. All of their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion. , , [Caption beneath photo:] , Des Plaines native son George Cook posed in full "doughboy" uniform for this photo. He died of influenza while in the service.
When war broke out among European nations in 1914, the United States went to great lengths to remain neutral. After Germany sank the passenger liner RMS Lusitania in 1915, killing American citizens, public opinion began to swing toward US involvement. When Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico in the infamous Zimmermann Telegram and sank several US merchant vessels in 1917, the United States was triggered to act. Warfare in World War I employed poison gases, automatic rifles, tanks, and other means that created shockingly brutal battles. Nearly 250 Des Plaines residents served in the military during World War I. Seven of them perished. Two died in combat, and the other five died when the 1918 Flu Pandemic swept through the crowded and unhygienic conditions of military life during this war. All of their names are on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion.
[Caption beneath photo:] Des Plaines native son George Cook posed in full "doughboy" uniform for this photo. He died of influenza while in the service.
Erected by Des Plaines History Center.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists:
Location. 42° 0.787′ N, 87° 53.684′ 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 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
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 136 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
