Lt. John Peter Hart, a first-generation German-American from Troy, New York was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country, in Operation Overlord.

Unknown to him, his friend and future wife's second husband was building bridges and roads along the Apennines in Italy. John Hart's decision to join up in early 1940 and become an officer sealed the fate of not only himself but also that of three families.

This is the true story of Lieutenant John "Johnny" Hart, Sergeant Allison "Al" Langworthy, and Beatrice "Betty" Connally, caught up in the turmoil and aftermath of the Second World War, as recounted in their family stories, memories, and personal letters from 1940 to 1948.

The complicated background of the three families frame their personal stories and place them into historical context. The multilingual and multicultural reality of late 19th and early 20th century Troy, New York, is exemplified in the joys and sorrows—the anxieties and guilt—experienced by Johnny, Al, and Betty, and puts a very human face on a time period often glorified by fiction writers and moviemakers.

But the War never really ended...