It was 1914, however, that marked a very important change - something began that ultimately sent the world into a tailspin. It was World War I - the first war of mass destruction. A war in which many nations saw their best and brightest young men die. Although U.S. involvement in battle was limited to just over a year, the country mobilized itself for true worldwide conflict, raised money and whatever else would help, supported allied powers and prepared over four million personnel for battle.