Posted on 10/04/2005 6:32:56 AM PDT by TomServo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Robert Hanson, the last surviving crew member of the famed Memphis Belle B-17 bomber that flew combat missions over Europe during World War II, died Saturday of congestive heart failure. He was 85 and had suffered from heart problems, family members said.
Hanson was the radio operator on the Memphis Belle, which flew 25 combat missions over Germany and France while escaping some close calls. Hanson told his family stories about a chase involving several German planes, the bomber's tail being shot off and a nose dive that left the crew wondering if they should use their parachutes.
Hanson, who was from Walla Walla, Wash., joined the military in 1941 and was assigned to the crew of the Memphis Belle. The bomber flew to England in September 1942 and departed on its first mission in November. Army records show the plane flew 148 hours and dropped more than 60 tons of bombs.
Hanson and the crew finished their 25th mission on May 17, 1943. He went on to work as a salesman for Nalley Fine Foods in Walla Walla and became a regional manager. He later worked for a candy company in Spokane, Wash.
The adventures of the Belle were brought back to life by a 1990 film, "Memphis Belle," that told a fictionalized version of the bomber's final mission.
Every year, WWII passes out of living memory and into 'history'. God rest you, Sir.
Yet another sad passing of a member of what is,IMO,rightly called "The Greatest Generation".
so sadly true. This past weekend, there was an airshow at the old Millington Naval Air Station, (now Millington Municipal Airport), where the Memphis Belle is currently. The Belle is being readied for tranfer to the Air Force Museum for permanent display. It will leave Memphis near the end of October. The Belle's crewmembers tried to get Memphis to build an enclosed structure to house her. Sadly, that never happened. Now, the Belle, like her crew, will be lost to Memphis forever.
Rest in peace, Mr. Hanson. May you have a great reunion with the rest of your crewmates in the Wild Blue Yonder.
RIP Mr. Hanson
Well stated.
RIP, sir.
"...I'm an hour South of the USAF museum, it may be sad for Memphis, but she really belongs at Wright-Patt...."
You are correct. The really sad thing is that the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies got his way and the Memphis city mayor and city council, along with the Shelby County mayor and county commission. They couldn't come up with the $$$$ fast enough to build the Grizzlies a new, and expensive crib. However, when it came to the Belle, they NEVER even thought about kicking in even a few bucks for the structure. Memphis has some really scewed priorities. As a result, we've lost one of the most famous aircraft from WW II. I know the USAF Museum will take better care of the Belle than Memphis ever would. Even though it's still the property of the USAF, I sure hate to see her leave. I'll have to come see her in her new surroundings.
BTW, I had a chance to go through her before she was moved from her pedestal on Hollywood St and Central Ave. That was a very singular priviledge. And, I have met Mr. Hanson on a couple of occassions. What an honor.
Ping.
bttt.
Rest in peace.
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