Author Marion Piccolomini celebrates the resilience and perseverance of Chester County residents in the midst of total war. Regiments from Chester County fought bravely in all theaters of World War II, while locals at home took extraordinary measures to support the Allies. West Chester resident G. Raymond Rettew developed a process to mass produce vitally needed penicillin while a peaceful farm transformed into the bustling Valley Forge General Hospital in 1943. Women entered labor positions at companies, including Lukens Steel, to meet production demands. The Coatesville YMCA created and distributed a newsletter to soldiers so the boys on the front had the news from back home.

Marion Piccolomini is an officer of the Downingtown Area Historical Society and a member of the West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission. She holds a master’s degree in speech language pathology from the Pennsylvania State University.