Within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor, war was declared against what were now being called the axis powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan. At the time no one realized what kind of sacrifice would be required by those on the battlefront or the home front. When the war finally ended, most of the population of the world would be affected in one way or another.

As the shock of the attacks in December wore off, the American government began mobilizing to fight back. Across the country, able-bodied men either volunteered or were drafted. Thousands of women joined the military or entered the work force. Those men already in uniform were gathered and sent to attack the axis powers.