{"product_id":"the-wild-blue-the-men-and-boys-who-flew-the-b-24s-over-germany-1944-45-9780743223096","title":"The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany 1944-45","description":"Stephen E. Ambrose, acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eBand of Brothers \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eUndaunted Courage\u003c\/i\u003e, carries us along in the crowded and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to destroy the German war machine during World War II. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe young men who flew the B-24s over Germany in World War II fought against horrific odds, and, in \u003ci\u003eThe Wild Blue, \u003c\/i\u003e Ambrose recounts their extraordinary heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship with vivid detail and affection. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAmbrose describes how the Army Air Forces recruited, trained, and selected the elite few who would undertake the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the war. These are the boys--turned pilots, bombardiers, navigators, and gunners of the B-24s--who suffered over fifty percent casualties. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith his remarkable gift for bringing alive the action and tension of combat, Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to the death through thick black smoke and deadly flak to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, who was to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew thirty-five combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. We meet him and his mates, his co-pilot killed in action, and crews of other planes. Many went down in flames. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs \u003ci\u003eBand of Brothers\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCitizen Soldiers\u003c\/i\u003e portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldiers from Normandy on to Germany, \u003ci\u003eThe Wild Blue \u003c\/i\u003eillustrates the enormous contribution that these young men of the Army Air Forces made to the Allied victory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Simon \u0026amp; Schuster\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/07\/2002\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780743223096\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.80lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.28h x 6.12w x 0.77d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader Quiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e55311 \/ Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.7 \/ \u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Upper Grade \/ \u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 15\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Stephen E. Ambrose","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36641348485276,"sku":"9780743223096","price":16.14,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_fd8edfc7-f247-48ce-b1ec-0a81ec97e08c.jpg?v=1603853467","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-wild-blue-the-men-and-boys-who-flew-the-b-24s-over-germany-1944-45-9780743223096","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}