Korean War State Memorial
        Dedicated on June 16, 1996

In 1950, the State of Illinois sent 206,500 of her citizens to serve and fight for freedom in a war more savage than any other. Our citizens were dispatched to Korea as a part of the United Nations Forces to stop the spread of communism after South Korea was invaded by North Korea forces. Some thirty seven months later, after a negotiated peace and over 100,000 casualties, the bulk of U.S. Troops left Korea. Illinois sons and daughters returned home, with little recognition for the portion of their lives sacrificed to war-until now. The memorial’s central feature is bronze bell (12’ X 12”) with larger than life sculptures of men representing the four branches of the military – Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. The Memorials’ granite base is inscribed with the names of 1,754 Illinois service members killed in action during the war. A carillon broadcasts timed musical selections every half hour.
Korean War State Memorial
The Illinois Korean Memorial Association worked valiantly for 7 years raising funds needed to build a memorial in honor of “those who served and died fighting for freedom” in the June 1950 – July 1953 Korean War. They succeeded in raising, not only the money, but the awareness of a war nearly forgotten in the annals of history. The results of their efforts have been given tribute as the Illinois Korean War Memorial.

Also a granite sculpture, “March out of the Chosin”, was created and donated by Tom Green of Arnold Monument Company, Springfield, Illinois. Known as the most savage battle of the Korean War, there were 12,000 casualties out of 15,000 troops. 17 Medals of Honor and 70 Navy Crosses were awarded to the brave soldiers who fought in this single battle -- the most ever in military history. The large surrounding lawn provides space for special events. The Memorial is provided with parking facilities for forty-eight vehicles.