ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Col. Robert Morgan, commander of the famed Memphis Belle B-17 bomber that flew combat missions over Europe during World War II, died late Saturday of complications from a fall, his wife said. He was 85.
Morgan was hospitalized April 22 with a fractured neck after falling following an air show at Asheville Regional Airport, said Carole Donnelly, spokeswoman for Mission Hospitals, where Morgan was treated.
His condition had been deteriorating in the last week or so, and Morgan was taken off life support systems, his wife, Linda, said. His wife, two daughters, a close family friend and two ministers were at his side when he died, she said.
A native of Asheville, Morgan became famous as the pilot of the Memphis Belle, which flew 25 combat missions over Germany and France during World War II. Morgan co-authored a book about some of his experiences, "The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle," with Ron Powers.