In the spring of the year 2002, just after the 10th year anniversary of my father’s (Frederick G. Abner, Jr.) death, I read a book by Stephen Ambrose with the appropriate title The Wild Blue. I picked up the book when I saw it displayed in a bookstore thinking that I would read it as a tribute to, and in memory of, my father. It told the story of the 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II, and in particular, detailed the service of Lt. George S. McGovern, a B-24 pilot who flew 35 missions against Nazi Germany during the years 1944 to 1945. He later. of course, became a Senator from South Dakota and the democratic candidate for President of the United States in the 1972 election. McGovern was assigned to the 455th Bomb Group, 741st Squadron. I knew my father was stationed in Italy at that time and decided to research his unit and squadron. This research led me to the 456th Bomb Group Association where, with much help from the members of the association, I was able to gather the information that follows.

By coincidence, Michael J. Dancisak, Ph.D at Tulane University, son of George L. Dancisak the flight engineer, and I both posted messages on the 456th Bomb Group Association's web page guestbook requesting information about the crew of the Boojum. This prompted Robert W. Reichard, a bombardier on another plane from the 745th Squadron, to contact the association's historian, Fred H. Riley, on our behalf. Fred subsequently sent both Mic Dancisak and myself the name and email address of the co-pilot of the aircraft, Howard N. Hartman, who is an association member. Much of the information about the crew and the last mission on April 3, 1944 was provided by Mr. Hartman. Together, the three of us researched and compiled the stories, photos, and data presented below.

Later on, we were able to contact Hans Halberstadt, the son of Milton H. Halberstadt, the navigator, who provided us with the navigator's log book and additional photographs. At the 2003 456th Bomb Group Reunion in New Orleans, LA, we met Edward L. Dement, top and nose turret gunner, who filled in many of the missing details. Mr. Dement has also written a book about his experiences in the POW camps entitled, Sergeant, for you the War is Over, which I have quoted from extensively below.