R. Hanson, Part Of Memphis Belle Crew

Picked this up from one of the internet news services a couple of days ago. =======================================

Chicago Tribune October 5, 2005 R. Hanson, Part Of Memphis Belle Crew By Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Robert Hanson, the last surviving crew member of the B-17 Memphis Belle that flew bombing missions over Europe during World War II, died Saturday of congestive heart illness. 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, 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 whether they should use their parachutes.

Hanson, who was from Walla Walla, Wash., joined the military in 1941 and was assigned to the Belle, which 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 flew their last mission on May 17, 1943.

He then worked as a salesman for Nalley Fine Foods in Walla Walla and became a regional manager. Later he worked for a candy company in Spokane.

The adventures of the Belle were recounted in a 1990 film, "Memphis Belle," that fictionalized the bomber's final mission.

Reply to
Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman
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Sad.... I couldn't find anything about this in either the Journal or Tribune...

Rich

Reply to
Rich

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