- Born
- Died
- Robert J. Hanson was born on May 25, 1920 in Walla Walla, Washington, USA. He was married to Irene Hanson. He died on October 1, 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
- SpouseIrene Hanson(1942 - October 1, 2005) (his death, 2 children)
- Last surviving crew member of the Memphis Belle, the famous WWII B-17 bomber.
- Was the last surviving member of the storied Memphis Belle B-17 bomber crew
- The Memphis Belle crew were credited with shooting down eight enemy aircraft and five "probables," and damaging a dozen more. Four members of the original crew died in combat as the plane was hit by cannon and machine-gun fire.
- Each crew member, including Tech. Sgt. Hanson, received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters.
- Prior to his death he was 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.
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