Cleveland County, North Carolina, selflessly gave to World War II, with 6,500 people–more than 11% of the county’s population at that time–taking part in the conflict. This rural county, which contributed almost double its share of service personnel, lost 190 fine young men–almost five times the expected casualties for a North Carolina county. Cleveland County residents participated in most significant engagements of the war, in every imaginable capacity, and in every branch of service–from the infantrymen, to the sailors, to the airmen, to the marines. At home, window banners displayed blue stars for each family member serving and gold stars for those who made the supreme sacrifice.