Oak Lawn in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

VFW Post 5220

Oak Lawn Historical Landmark

— Built 1948 —

VFW Post 5220 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 25, 2026

1. VFW Post 5220 Marker

Inscription. It was stated that the VFW property was donated by Dr. Gasteyer in 1946 for the explicit use of the returning military veterans. The existing building has had a number of additions, but construction began in 1948. The Post is named after Raymond H. Johnson and Leslie P. Phelps whose names were drawn from a hat which included the names of 23 young men from the Oak Lawn area who lost their lives in World War II. During the 1967 tornado crisis the VFW post was used as a morgue.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 41° 43.147′ N, 87° 45.042′ W. Memorial is in Oak Lawn, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 52nd Avenue near Yourell Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 9514 South 52nd Avenue, Oak Lawn IL 60453, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named VFW Post 5220 (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Freedom Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); Hometown Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.8

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miles away); St. Bede the Venerable Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); St. Mary Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); In Memory (approx. 2.1 miles away); Spc. Jared D. Stanker (approx. 2.3 miles away).

More about this memorial. There are two identical markers affixed to the VFW hall, this one facing west toward 52nd Avenue and another facing south toward the train tracks.

Regarding VFW Post 5220. The Oak Lawn tornado of April 21, 1967, was the deadliest ever to hit the Chicago area. Traveling 16 miles across Palos Hills, Oak Lawn, Hometown, Evergreen Park and the south side of Chicago before dissipating over Lake Michigan, the F4 tornado (meaning wind speeds up to 200 miles per hour) left 33 people dead, producing some of its heaviest damage in Oak Lawn. The tornado was the most severe of the roughly 45 recorded across the Midwest that day.

Also see . . . Johnson-Phelps VFW Post #5220 official site.

Excerpt: "In 1950, land near 52nd Avenue and Wabash Avenue was purchased with the help of donations and proceeds from a play. These funds were used to construct a building for the members of the Johnson-Phelps Post. Completed
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 25, 2026

2. VFW Post 5220
in 1951 with most of the work done by members, the post officially opened on November 11th during observance of Veteran's Day."

(Submitted on June 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Damage in Oak Lawn from the April 1967 tornado image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service, April 1967

3. Damage in Oak Lawn from the April 1967 tornado

The 16-mile tornado, which registered F4 on the Fujita scale, unleashed its heaviest damage in Oak Lawn.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.