Col Morgan is saluted today !

BlueNoser352 reporting in on a wonderful , but sad day here in the great state of North Carolina. Col Robert K Morgan, who commanded the B-17 Memphis Belle in World War II and flew in the Pacific theather as well in a B-29 was buried today with full military honors. What a site as the B-17 Sentimental Journey, P-51 Mustang “Obession” flew in formation over the services. A B-52 also made a wonderful pass over the crowd in salute to a fine man and all those who served in our nations wars. One of our photographers flew in the B-17 on wonderful tribute to Col Morgan, having flown in this same B-17 years ago, you can feel such vibrations and noise and wonder how anyone survived flying and fighting in these machines. I know many were touched by the out pouring of respect the entire city of Asheville, North Carolina has shown for the memory of Col Morgan this past week. He was such a well respected figure in the state of North Carolina and of course across this great land of ours. I am sure many in the Uk who knew him over the years were touched today as well. I wish a thousand B-17’s from the 91st and the Mighty Eighth could have flown in formation over his services today. Quite a site as those on the ground heard the sounds of four Wright radials and that wonderful P-51 Merlin passing overhead in tribute to the man who guided the Memphis Belle twenty-five times back to station 121, Bassingbourn! Home of the Ragged Irregulars of the 91st Bomb Group !

Morgan, famed Memphis Belle pilot, honored with military funeral

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — The bombers came slow and low. First, a B-52, its lumbering body appearing massive against the brilliant blue sky. Next, a B-17, flying low over the Black Mountain Range with a P-51 Mustang flying escort at its flank.

They tipped their wings in a final salute to retired Col. Robert K. Morgan, the man who made another B-17 famous. He had called her the Memphis Belle, for the hometown of his wartime sweetheart.

Morgan’s ashes were buried Saturday at the North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at Black Mountain following a funeral at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville.

Morgan became famous as the first pilot to successfully fly a B-17 on 25 unescorted bombing missions during World War II. He died May 15 from complications from a fall. He was 85.

During the church service, Air Force Brig. Gen. Greg Power called Morgan a “warrior airman” and a “stellar bomber pilot” who inspired many with his courage while piloting the Memphis Belle over Europe.

Morgan’s wife, Linda, also a pilot, called her husband of 11 years “a natural, a damn learn-by-the-seat-of-the-pants pilot.” She was presented with an American flag moments before the flyover.

As the bombers flew overhead, Montreat College professor William Forstchen followed them with his right hand over his heart and tears in his eyes. Morgan had spoken to one of his military history classes, Forstchen said.

“It was the greatest generation,” he said of Morgan and the other soldiers who fought in World War II.

Morgan had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma 15 months before his death, though few people knew it. It was the aviator’s third bout with cancer since 1993. He had previously survived prostate and colon cancer.

An Asheville native, Morgan co-authored a book about some of his experiences, “The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle,” with Ron Powers.

Morgan and his crew were assigned to the plane Sept. 1, 1942. 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. It 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.

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.

Morgan continued to work after retirement in real estate and tour air shows. He was also active in animal welfare causes and held a pilot’s license, Linda Morgan said.