War Memorials
Illinois Korean War Memorial
The centerpiece of the Illinois Korean War Memorial is a 12-foot bronze bell surrounded by four larger-than-life warriors representing the five branches of the armed forces: Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines. The names of more than 1,700 Illinoisans killed in Korea are inscribed along the memorial’s granite base.
Dedicated: June 16, 1996
World War II Illinois Veterans Memorial
The World War II Illinois Veterans Memorial honors the 987,000 men and women from Illinois who served our country during World War II. Among them were 22,000 Illinois citizens who gave their lives during the war.
The memorial’s centerpiece is a globe 12 feet in diameter, which represents the world in conflict during World War II. It is surrounded by a granite wall engraved with the names and dates of major battles of the Pacific and European theaters of war. A central plaza of personalized engraved bricks completes the design.
Dedicated: December 4, 2004
Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial incorporates five black granite walls upon which are inscribed the 2,970 names of Illinoisans who died or are missing in action as a result of the Vietnam conflict. The five black granite walls form interior courtyards, one for each of the five branches of service. Inscribed on the 15-foot-high gray granite walls are the names of those listed as missing in action or as prisoners of war, as well as the names of the highest-decorated veterans in each branch of service. An eternal flame burns atop the memorial where the granite walls converge. The inscription on the outer walls reads: “To those who died honor and eternal rest, to those still in bondage remembrance and hope, and to those who returned gratitude and peace.”
Dedicated: May 1988
Illinois Purple Heart Memorial
The Illinois Purple Heart Memorial honors recipients of the Purple Heart, men and women who were killed or wounded in all wars involving the United States.
The center of the Memorial includes an eight-foot piece of black granite with an engraving of a Purple Heart on it. The other side of the stone features a quote from William Shakespeare’s Henry V: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.” Smaller stones to the left and right of the centerpiece display engravings of four soldiers.
Dedicated: December 2016
Illinois World War I Memorial
The Illinois World War I Memorial is a seven-foot granite obelisk topped by a world globe, also cut from granite. The obelisk originally was designed to recognize Sangamon County residents who died of wounds or disease as a result of WWI; it displays the names of 112 men and one woman.
The front of the obelisk says: “World War I/Sangamon County Honor Roll/1917-1919/Dedicated to those who lost their lives while in the service of their country.” The obelisk apparently was designed by John Kerasotes, a Springfield resident who also financed its creation. It originally sat at First Street and North Grand Avenue in Springfield.
The obelisk was moved to Oak Ridge Cemetery in 2019, when a granite pedestal was added that honors all Illinoisans who served in the war.
Two small granite benches sit on either side of the memorial.
Dedicated at Oak Ridge: September 2019