[Romad Wife]

Wish I had come sooner to this site! Going to miss it, just like my Dad who just passed 9/13/05. A Great WWII vet in my eyes. Long live the 410th Bomb Group!
God speed all!
Prayers to all those who are not home tonight, Those going and coming!
Air Force....A Great way of Life! If only he could get station at a Air Base instead of Post!

[SAMWolf]

Robert Hanson, last Memphis Belle crew member, dies

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Robert Hanson -- the last surviving crew member of the famed Memphis Belle B-17 bomber of World War Two -- has died of congestive heart failure. He was 85.

Hanson and his wife, Irene, had moved from Arizona to Albuquerque recently to be close to their daughter. His family says he died Saturday in Albuquerque.

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 joined the military in 1941 and was assigned to the Memphis Belle. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday in Albuquerque.

Thanks to FReeper for the heads up on this news

[SAMWolf]

A-20 Havocs of the 410th Bomb Group attack German ground forces advancing near Blankenheim in the eastern Ardennes, January 23, 1945

Nicolas Trudgian's new painting recreates an attack on January 23, 1945 by Douglas A-20 Havocs of the 410th Bomb Group and pays tribute to the Ninth Air Force pilots and crews who flew the tough missions during the Battle of the Bulge. Locating an enemy convoy in open space near the German town of Blankenheim, the Havoc pilots make a swift attack diving from 8000 feet, catching the German Force by surprise. In the space of a few minutes the attack is completed and the convoy decimated.

[snippy_about_it]

Please accept our condolences on the recent death of your Dad. We are grateful for his service.