It is 1922. An Italian veteran of WWI, Anthony Anselmo is assigned by his wealthy grandfather to award the widows of soldiers in his company who were killed in "The Great War To End All Wars". He arrives in Chicago Heights, and while delaying talking to the widow Rosa Gambriotti, accepts a job working at a local Steel mill. Anselmo is trying to forget his past; he is burdened by the guilt he feels for his actions in the war, and is further puzzled...