JIM GRAHAM, a WWII veteran, historian, and member of Billy's 71st Fighter squadron, had never met Billy but takes up the quest. He and DICK KAHLER had found Carl Hoenshell, another 71st Fighter Squadron member who had disappeared over Bulgaria, and both think it might be possible to find Billy Wisner.

PAOLO CAGNAN, an Italian newspaper reporter with Alto Adige, the Bolzano newspaper, initially senses just a good story, but he ends up taking the search to heart.

INGA HOSP, a German-born journalist lives near the crash site initially thought to be Billy's. Her 20-year-old son, the same age Billy was when he crashed, inspires her to see the search through to the end.

CHRISTOPH MAIR, a high-school student interested in WWII, grew up near the crash. His unique position as cultural go-between keeps the search on course.

BILL MAYS, an American working in Bulgaria, was on hand to help when Carl Hoenshell's crash site was found. He stands by as adviser on how and when to get the U.S. government involved in Billy's case.

KEITH BULLOCK,a former RAF pilot living in Austria, provides research on bomber crashes to help solve another crash mystery.

EYEWITNESSES, who saw Billy's plane and two others come down over their mountain community on that fateful day in 1944, describe what happened afterward.

The collaboration forms lifelong friendships despite cultural differences and formerly opposing alliances as everyone works toward one goal -- FINDING BILLY.