The country was at war almost the world over. In Europe, the lights were dimming for Germany. Italy had fallen and the Russians and Allies were waging a pincer operation with Berlin in the crosshairs. The Russians were winning, and fully intended to beat the Allies to seize Hitler and Germany’s capital city. As the new year dawned, the U.S., under General George Patton, was mired in the “Battle of the Bulge” with Britain to the north and the Canadians and European soldiers to the south essentially stalemated.