Robert Hanson

Robert John Hanson (May 25, 1920 – October 1, 2005) served on board the B-17 bomber aircraft the Memphis Belle during the Second World War.

Early life Robert Hanson was born in Walla Walla, Washington state on May 25, 1920. From there Robert enlisted in the US Army in the summer of 1941.

After finishing their tour the crew were introduced to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. They then returned to the United States to take part in a 32-city tour to raise morale and sell war bonds. They were accompanied on the tour by their Highland Terrier mascot called Stuka.

Later life Hanson's headstone located at Santa Fe National Cemetery, with his customary Morris Code signoff at the bottom. For the remainder of his life, Hanson used his wartime Morse Code sign-off of "dit, dit, dit, dah, dit, dah" to end telephone calls.

There was also a 1990 film 'Memphis Belle' directed by Michael Caton-Jones.

During the 1989 production Hanson visited the cast during filming at RAF Binbrook in the United Kingdom. Hanson joked, "They're not quite as good-looking as we were ... but they are young and enthusiastic – exactly like we were".

After the release of the film Hanson spoke to his grandson's high school class. When asked if what happened in the film was true, he replied "No, it didn't all happen to the Memphis Belle, but everything in the movie happened to some B-17".