On a bitter January day in 1963, a Cold War training flight ended in tragedy when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed into the remote wilderness of Elephant Mountain near Moosehead Lake. Seven men aboard perished, while two survived against staggering odds in subzero temperatures.

Join author Dr. Joseph Wax for a gripping presentation based on his book Final Mission: The North Woods, which brings new light to this somber chapter in local and military history. Wax spent 18 months interviewing surviving crew families, uncovering personal stories that humanize the men behind the mission and the aftermath that forever shaped Greenville’s connection to the crash.

As part of this special event, visitors will have the rare opportunity to view two original ejection seats from the B-52, now on display at the Center for Moosehead History—powerful physical reminders of survival and sacrifice.

The site remains a solemn destination for hikers and history lovers, and this presentation honors both the memory and the spirit of the crew.