Is any of the Memphis Belle crew still alive?
Robert Hanson, the last surviving member of the storied Memphis Belle B-17 bomber crew, which was the first to fly 25 bombing missions in Europe during World War II, has died. Hanson, the radio operator of the famed aircraft, died Oct. …
What happened to the pilot of the Memphis Belle?
He died at Mission Hospital on May 15, 2004, from complications due to his injuries, including pneumonia. Morgan was buried at the Western Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
Who was the pilot of Memphis Belle?
Bob Morgan
Bob Morgan: Pilot and Aircraft Commander Captain Robert “Bob” Morgan led the Memphis Belle crew. After the war bond tour, he volunteered for additional combat duty and flew B-29s against Japan.
What happened to Margaret Polk?
Margaret Polk died of cancer at her home on April 5, 1990, just after this story was published. She was 67.
Was the Memphis Belle restored to flying condition?
Seventy-five years after its last bombing run in World War II, the newly restored Memphis Belle is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio. The Memphis Belle returned to the United States after completing 25 combat flights over Nazi-occupied Europe, according to the museum.
Who was the woman for the Memphis Belle?
The subject of the affections of Capt. Robert K. Morgan, it was Margaret for which Army 41-24485 was named the Memphis Belle. She helped in fund raising for the Memphis Belle Memorial Association until her death in 1990.
How many missions did B-17 crews have?
25
Although crew members were required to fly a minimum of 25 combat missions before returning to the United States, some were called back to duty for another 25. However, others stayed behind to complete 30 missions to avoid having to return from the states for a second tour of duty.
Is the Memphis Belle in a museum?
The Memphis Belle being restored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Col. Robert Morgan, 85, World War II Pilot of Memphis Belle. Col. Robert Morgan, who piloted a B-17 bomber that soared into history and Hollywood movies as an icon of World War II, died Saturday night in Asheville, N.C., after breaking his neck in a fall, said his wife, Linda.
What was the Memphis Belle famous for?
For six months over battle-torn Europe, Colonel Morgan sat at the controls of the Memphis Belle, a 10-man four-engine plane that became known as the first American bomber to complete 25 bombing runs over Europe and return to the United States without losing a single crew member.
Who is Colonel Morgan?
Colonel Morgan was born on July 13, 1918, in Asheville. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, but in 1940, sensing that the United States would plunge into the war in Europe, he quit college to join the Army Air Corps, his wife said.
How old was Colonel Morgan when he lived in Asheville?
He was 85 and lived in Asheville. For six months over battle-torn Europe, Colonel Morgan sat at the controls of the Memphis Belle, a 10-man four-engine plane that became known as the first American bomber to complete 25 bombing runs over Europe and return to the United States without losing a single crew member.