On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States declared war. On December 11, 1941, the United States declared war on Germany and Italy. Gage County residents served in Europe and in the Pacific. They fought in major battles, received honors, became prisoners of war, and were wounded or killed in action. Some served behind the lines as nurses, clerks, cooks, truck drivers, and airplane mechanics; others worked with communications and intelligence. Margaret Brewster enlisted in the Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps at the beginning of World War II, served in several commands, was among the first group of women officers selected for entry in the regular Army in 1943, gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and retired in 1965. Lucile Totsch enlisted in the WAVES in June 1943 and was stationed in San Francisco and Honolulu. Eldon Goble of Beatrice later recalled, “We were young and you just did it because you were expected to....”