(Asheville, North Carolina-AP) -- The commander of the famed World War Two bomber the Memphis Belle has died in a North Carolina hospital. Colonel Robert Morgan was 85.
Morgan was hospitalized April 22nd when he fell after an air show in Asheville. His wife says he was taken off life support Saturday afternoon and died at about 11:30 p-m.
Morgan was a native of Asheville and became famous as the pilot of the Memphis Belle, which flew 25 combat missions over Germany and France. It was a historic number -- the Belle was the first heavy bomber in the European theater to last 25 missions, the magic number to be sent home. Morgan was co-author of a book about some of those experiences.
Morgan is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, a stepson, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.