Merriam Press World War 2 History. During World War II the state of Montana gave over 1,000 men to the final sacrifice to defend the United States. Thousands of military personnel trained in the state, before moving onto combat, especially those of four B-17 bomb groups. The state was temporary home to alien detainees and German Prisoners of War. Now, over 75 years from these events, this book is dedicated to these Americans who helped win the two-ocean war the United States fought, 1941-1945. This is truly a look back in time to America's greatest generation. 304 photos, maps, illustrations.