Posted on 05/15/2004 9:35:56 PM PDT by nuconvert
Robert Morgan, Famed WWII Bomber Commander, Dies at 85
The Associated Press
May 16, 2004
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Col. Robert Morgan, commander of the famed Memphis Belle B-17 bomber that flew combat missions over Europe during World War II, died late Saturday of complications from a fall, his wife said. He was 85. Morgan was hospitalized April 22 with a fractured neck after falling following an air show at Asheville Regional Airport, said Carole Donnelly, spokeswoman for Mission Hospitals, where Morgan was treated.
His condition had been deteriorating in the last week or so, and Morgan was taken off life support systems, his wife, Linda, said. His wife, two daughters, a close family friend and two ministers were at his side when he died, she said.
A native of Asheville, Morgan became famous as the pilot of the Memphis Belle, which flew 25 combat missions over Germany and France during World War II. Morgan co-authored a book about some of his experiences, "The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle," with Ron Powers.
Morgan and three other members of the Memphis Belle's crew were made honorary colonels of the state of Tennessee in 2000. The airplane is parked on Mud Island in the city whose name it honors.
The crew completed its 25th bombing mission during World War II on May 17, 1943. 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.
"Twenty-five doesn't sound like much until you start flying them," Morgan later said.
Morgan and his crew were assigned to the plane Sept. 1, 1942. The pilot named the craft after his wartime sweetheart's home town.
The Belle flew to England in late September and departed on its first bombing mission on Nov. 7.
In the next six months, the Belle flew missions over France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. She was struck by flak, 20mm cannon shells and machine gun bullets. Every major part of the plane was replaced at least once, including the engines (nine times), both wings, tails and main landing gears. Four of the plane's crew of 10 died during combat.
According to Army records, the plane flew 148 hours, dropping more than 60 tons of bombs, all on daylight missions.
"Some of them were pretty rough missions. The Luftwaffe (the German air force) boys would sometimes fly into their own flak to get at us. They were mean devils, I tell you," said top turret gunner Harold Loch of Green Bay, Wis.
There were many close calls: engine fires, bullet holes, confrontations with fighter planes. Somehow the Belle always made it back to base when other planes went down.
Morgan said he and his men never talked about crashing or dying.
"Every time we were going to fly, we gathered in a huddle and we just told ourselves that if only one plane was coming back, it was going to be ours," he said.
The exploits of the Belle were brought to later generations by a 1990 film, "Memphis Belle," that told a heavily fictionalized version of the bomber's 25th and final mission.
Pong
God bless his soul, and welcome into Heaven...............FRegards
Here!
Got one myself a few years back and got to speak with him briefly. Heck of a nice guy.
Where do we get these men?
They're here, but sadly we'll first have to put some real men in charge, willing, not afraid, to do what's needed.
I raise a glass to this hero. May his eternity in Valhalla be filled with song, ale, and Honor!
Ping. Another hero, whom God loaned to us, has returned home to Glory.
This man was one of the lucky few that flew these dangerous missions and beat the odds. RIP Col. Robert Morgan.
Does anyone know if the Memphis Belle aircraft is on display somewhere in a museum? I would love to see it.
It's on display in Memphis!
bump
Here's some info.:
http://www.memphisbelle.com/
Can I see The Belle?
Yes, the Memphis Belle has been relocated from her pavilion on Mud Island River Park in downtown Memphis, TN to hangar N7 at Millington Airport.
The "Belle's" restoration facility is open Tuesday-Friday 10-3; Monday & Saturday by appointment. Come and pay your respects to this grand airplane, her crew and through them to everyone who sacrificed for our freedom and democracy in WWII.
For more information, please contact us at Belle@Memphisbelle.com
American 'Heroes'...are just plain average people in horrible situations...who have the courage to do their duty.
...and we don't have enough of 'em...and have NONE in Congress.
redrock
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.