World War II Honoree

Robert Hanson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Walla Walla, Washington

MEMBER OF THE FAMED MEMPHIS BELLE B-17 BOMBER THAT FLEW COMBAT MISSIONS OVER EUROPE. HE WAS THE RADIO OPERATOR ON THE BELLE, WHICH FLEW 25 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER GERMANY AND FRANCE, WHILE ESCAPING SOME CLOSE CALLS. SEVERAL GERMAN PLANES CHASED THE BOMBER, AND SHOT OFF THE TAIL. THE PLANE WENT INTO A NOSE DIVE THAT LEFT THE CREW WONDERING WHETHER THEY SHOULD USE THEIR PARACHUTES, BUT THEY MADE IT BACK TO BASE. THE BOMBER 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. HE AND THE CREW FINISHED THEIR 25TH MISSION ON MAY 17, 1943.