Glen Ellyn in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bruce Capel

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 13, 2026

1. Bruce Capel Marker

Inscription. 2D LT CO B9 MAR 3 MAR Div
Vietnam PH US Marine Corps
Glenbard West 1961 graduate
Killed in action Vietnam War May 12, 1966

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1966.

Location. 41° 52.653′ N, 88° 3.704′ W. Marker is in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Crescent Boulevard 0.1 miles east of Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. The marker is near a tree in Spalding Point, a park across the street from Glenbard West High School and just west of its football field. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glen Ellyn IL 60137, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Gold Star Mothers (a few steps from this marker); Robert F. Morgan (a few steps from this marker); John F. Scull Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Spalding's Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Heroes of Freedom Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas B. Duffy Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Glen Ellyn's First Train (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Ellyn.

More about this marker. The marker is one of four erected in front of trees as memorials to graduates of Glenbard West High School who died in Vietnam. The school is located across the street.

Regarding Bruce Capel. Bruce Capel was born in Indiana and raised in Glen Ellyn, where he was an all-conference middle linebacker for the football team. He attended college at the University of Illinois and played for the football team as its starting center, a role he shared with eventual Hall of Fame defensive star Dick Butkus. In the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day 1964, Capel made a key fumble recovery that helped the Fighting

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 13, 2026

2. Bruce Capel Marker

Illini defeat Washington 17-7.

After graduating from Illinois in 1965, Capel enlisted in the Marines, and he played on the Quantico Marine Base football team. Commissioned a second lieutenant, Capel was sent to Vietnam in the spring of 1966. On May 12, 1966, Lt. Capel was leading his patrol unit southwest of Da Nang when it was ambushed by Viet Cong troops. Capel and 13 other men died in the ambush; only two survived.

Capel was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Glen Ellyn, after a funeral service in which the entire Illini football team attended. He is the namesake of the Illinois football team's Bruce Capel Award for Courage and Dedication, which has been given to an Illini player every year since 1967.

Also see . . .
1. Revitalized park to honor Glen Ellyn veterans. The Daily Herald writes about a restoration of Spalding Point, a park across the street from Glenbard West. (Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The Original Hitter: A Tribute to Marine Veteran and the Original Glenbard West Hitter. Glenbard West's football team is unofficially known as the Hitters, a moniker

Spot of the Bruce Capel Marker near Glenbard West High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 13, 2026

3. Spot of the Bruce Capel Marker near Glenbard West High School

The marker is just off camera on the bottom.

that was created after Capel's death.

Excerpt: "Wearing his trademark smile, Bruce was a contagious force for good. His depth of character, sincerity, courage and humility earned him the respect of all who knew him. His interest in and compassion for other people was shown in his community service. He especially enjoyed his recreational work with youth groups. In 1967, to honor Bruce's lasting memory and all for which he stood, Coach Bill Duchon created The Hitters Club, with Bruce Capel - The Original Hitter. To this day, the Glenbard West football team is still called 'The Hitters.'"

(Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Echoes of Valor. The article describes Lt. Capel's football career and his service in Vietnam. (Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.