During World War II’s European Theater, two county men earned Silver Stars during the drive through Italy in 1943-44: MSG Henry S. Furst of the 82nd Airborne for gallantry in action at Salerno and Anzio, and SGT Gordon R. Shaffer of the 141st Infantry for his part in crossing the Gari River under heavy fire. More than a hundred county women were in uniform. SGT Alice M. Kelley served with the WAC in England. LT Florence A. Shade of the Army Nursing Corps and Mary F. Sharp of the Red Cross served in North Africa, Italy, and France. Many soldiers did not return. SSGT Stanley B. Mason, a B17 gunner with the 390th Bombardment Group, was killed in a crash landing in England on September 16, 1943, after his bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire over France. CAPT William R. McCollum of the 313th Infantry was killed on July 8, 1944, while rooting out the last of the Nazi troops in Normandy.