FINDING BOMB BOOGIE
A Daughter’s Search to Rediscover Her Father—the World War II Bomber Boy, Prisoner of War & American Veteran
"Maureen Buick has done a remarkable job of capturing the experiences of her father and other members of the B-17 "Bomb Boogie" crew."
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"This is a beautifully written and well-researched story--a tribute to a daughter's love and her courageous father's service and sacrifice."
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"A thought-provoking exploration and a great read."
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"Informative, riveting, and suspense-driven."
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"Maureen Buick has done a remarkable job of capturing the experiences of her father and other members of the B-17 "Bomb Boogie" crew." *** "This is a beautifully written and well-researched story--a tribute to a daughter's love and her courageous father's service and sacrifice." *** "A thought-provoking exploration and a great read." *** "Informative, riveting, and suspense-driven." ***
Finding Bomb Boogie is a deeply personal, historically grounded exploration of a daughter’s search for understanding across generations. Written long after her father’s death, the book traces the author’s effort to uncover his World War II story and make sense of a complicated yet loving relationship shaped by war, silence, and survival.
At the heart of the narrative is a quiet young American who served as a tail gunner aboard a B-17 bomber nicknamed Bomb Boogie. Shot down over Nazi-occupied Europe, captured by German forces, and imprisoned for nearly two years, he endured the hardships of captivity at Stalag 17B, including disease, starvation, extreme cold, and a brutal forced march during one of the coldest winters in decades.
Blending memoir with meticulous historical research, Finding Bomb Boogie immerses readers in the lived experience of World War II airmen—from enlistment and training through combat missions over Europe to the long aftermath of war carried home. The book also reflects on the enduring cost of combat and the quiet battles veterans continued to fight long after liberation.
By sharing her father’s story, the author invites readers to reflect on the importance of preserving veterans’ histories and passing on their lessons to future generations—before these voices and what they endured silently slip away.
Awards for Finding Bomb Boogie
Nonfiction Authors Association Book Awards: Gold Award Winner, 2023
Global Book Award: Gold Winner, 2024 (History)
Global Book Award: Bronze Winner 2024, (War & Military)
International Book Awards: History/Military Finalist, 2024
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For Book Clubs
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Man of Confidence
Finding Bomb Boogie marked the beginning of the author’s work in World War II aviation and prisoner-of-war history. The research and questions that arose during its writing led directly to her later biography, Man of Confidence: Kenneth J. Kurtenbach—WWII’s Longest-Serving American POW Camp Leader, which offers a deeper exploration of leadership and moral authority in captivity.