Big D / 1919–1945

Prosperity Ends

More the 52,000 Dallas County residents served in World War II. Some made the ultimate sacrifice, including the 14 Dallasites who died at Pearl Harbor. Some broke barriers, such as First Lieutenant Mary L. Roberts. In 1944, she became the first woman in U.S. history to be awarded the Silver Star commendation for her leadership as Operating Room Chief Nurse at the 56^th Evacuation Hospital near Nettuno, Italy. And some rode horses. In November, 1940, the last mounted cavalry in the U.S. Army was called to duty and served in the South Pacific. The official blazon of the 112^th Cavalry Regiment of the Texas National Guard states their readiness to serve.