Veterans of Springfield Illinois

October 3, 2025
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Honoring Our Heroes

(Photos above courtesy of Visit Springfield staff of their family members who served)

Across generations, local men and women have answered the call to defend freedom and serve their country. Their stories, sacrifices, and legacies are etched into the heart of the community. Here are a few of their stories.

Although Springfield wasn’t founded until 1821, there are some veteran ties to the Revolutionary War 40 years prior. Along Chatham Road, you’ll see the gravesite of Philip Crowder who fought in the Revolutionary War and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis to General George Washington at Yorktown. While originally born in Virginia, Crowder came to Sangamon County in 1830.

Did you know Springfield’s most famous resident, Abraham Lincoln, served in the military? Years before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Lincoln joined the Illinois Militia in 1832 and held the rank of captain during the Black Hawk War. Before his time as captain, Lincoln was commanded by one of the first settlers of Springfield, Captain Elijah Iles. You can learn more about Lincoln’s time in the military at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and you can learn more about Elijah Iles at the Elijah Iles House.

Another soon-to-be president would call Springfield home for a short time, Ulysses S. Grant. While working for his father’s leather goods business in Galena during the outbreak of the Civil War, Grant was persuaded to travel to Springfield when President Lincoln put out the call for volunteers. During his time in Springfield, he became a military aide to Illinois Governor Richard Yates and eventually would command the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Two Medal of Honor recipients were born right here in Springfield. Henry C. Courtney earned a Medal of Honor for his actions in 1882 serving aboard the US Navy ship USS Portsmouth. Arthur H Wilson earned a Medal of Honor in 1909 for his actions in the Philippines during the Moro Rebellion (which sprang from the Philippine-American War 1899–1902).

At 500 N MacArthur Blvd in Springfield, you’ll find Duncan Park. The park is named after Springfield resident Otis B. Duncan. Duncan served with the 8th Illinois Infantry during the Pancho Villa Expedition and was the highest-ranking African American in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. While serving on the Western Front in WWI, Duncan was awarded the Purple Heart and French Croix de Guerre medals.

These are just a few stories of the thousands of men and women from Springfield who have served this nation. To learn more about the veterans of Springfield and Illinois at large, we encourage you to visit the Illinois State Military Museum which is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Illinois National Guard from its beginnings through modern times.

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And to pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country when you visit the Illinois War Memorials at Oak Ridge Cemetery which includes the WWI Sangamon County Veterans Memorial, the WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial, the Illinois Korean War Memorial, the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the new Gold Star Families Memorial which is being dedicated on October 18, 2025 at special ceremony (CLICK HERE to see the event details). You can also visit Camp Butler National Cemetary which was once a training camp for the Union Army during the civil war. The cemetary is resting place of over 25,000 persons including several hundred Union and Confederate soldiers.