Andrews, whose exploits in a crippled B-17 bomber during World War II inspired the best-selling novel and movie The War Lover, died Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. He was 86.
A retired brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve, he founded 11 companies, including BTI, N.C. Natural Gas and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. He owned his own mountain, which was called Hanging Rock.
During a mission over France in 1944, a German shell blew the nose off Andrews' bomber, knocked out two engines and killed or wounded a gunner, the navigator and the bombardier. The crew then attempted to nurse the damaged plane all the way back to England because the bombardier was too gravely wounded to risk a jump from the plane.
His story inspired a novel written by John Hersey in 1959. The book later was made into a film starring Steve McQueen. Andrews received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
A retired brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve, he founded 11 companies, including BTI, N.C. Natural Gas and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. He owned his own mountain, which was called Hanging Rock.
During a mission over France in 1944, a German shell blew the nose off Andrews' bomber, knocked out two engines and killed or wounded a gunner, the navigator and the bombardier. The crew then attempted to nurse the damaged plane all the way back to England because the bombardier was too gravely wounded to risk a jump from the plane.
His story inspired a novel written by John Hersey in 1959. The book later was made into a film starring Steve McQueen. Andrews received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Andrews, whose exploits in a crippled B-17 bomber during World War II inspired the best-selling novel and movie The War Lover, died Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. He was 86.
A retired brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve, he founded 11 companies, including BTI, N.C. Natural Gas and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. He owned his own mountain, which was called Hanging Rock.
During a mission over France in 1944, a German shell blew the nose off Andrews' bomber, knocked out two engines and killed or wounded a gunner, the navigator and the bombardier. The crew then attempted to nurse the damaged plane all the way back to England because the bombardier was too gravely wounded to risk a jump from the plane.
His story inspired a novel written by John Hersey in 1959. The book later was made into a film starring Steve McQueen. Andrews received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
A retired brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve, he founded 11 companies, including BTI, N.C. Natural Gas and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. He owned his own mountain, which was called Hanging Rock.
During a mission over France in 1944, a German shell blew the nose off Andrews' bomber, knocked out two engines and killed or wounded a gunner, the navigator and the bombardier. The crew then attempted to nurse the damaged plane all the way back to England because the bombardier was too gravely wounded to risk a jump from the plane.
His story inspired a novel written by John Hersey in 1959. The book later was made into a film starring Steve McQueen. Andrews received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
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In Combat after Bombing Nazi-Europe in France 1944 Alex tended wounded on one of the most disabled B-17 Flying Fortresses to return to England receiving the Air Medal. After 60 Combat hours, The Distinguished Flying Cross. In commerce, Alex was a lawyer,Real Estate negotiator, director of 21 companies,and founder of 11 businesses including business Telecom, Inc., (B.T.I), N.C. Natural Gas and Sugar Mountain - pioneering the ski industry to N.C.
HE HAD IT ALL. HE DID IT ALL. HE WAS LOVED.
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