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Alan Magee
Alan Magee
Alan Magee
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Alan Eugene Magee (January 13, 1919 – December 20, 2003) was a United States airman during World War II who survived a 22,000-foot (6,700 m) fall from his damaged B-17 Flying Fortress.[1] He was featured in the 1981 Smithsonian magazine as one of the 10 most amazing survival stories of World War II.

Key Information

Military career and fall

[edit]

Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Magee joined the United States Army Air Forces and was assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber.

On January 3, 1943, his Flying Fortress—B-17F-27-BO, 41-24620, nicknamed "Snap! Crackle! Pop!"[2]—part of the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group,[3] was on a daylight bombing run over Saint-Nazaire, France. This was Magee's seventh mission.

Magee left his ball turret when it became inoperative after being damaged by German flak, and discovered his parachute had been torn and rendered useless. Another flak hit then blew off a section of the right wing, causing the aircraft to enter a deadly spin. Magee, in the process of moving from the bomb bay to the radio room, blacked out from lack of oxygen because of the high altitude and was thrown clear of the aircraft. He fell over 4 miles (6.4 km) reaching a speed of approximately 120mph before crashing through the glass roof of the St. Nazaire railroad station. The glass roof shattered, mitigating the force of Magee's final impact. Rescuers found him on the floor of the station.

Magee was taken as a prisoner of war and given medical treatment by his captors. He had 28 shrapnel wounds in addition to his injuries from the fall: several broken bones, severe damage to his nose and eye, lung and kidney damage, and a nearly severed right arm.

Magee was liberated in May 1945 and received the Air Medal for meritorious conduct and the Purple Heart. On January 3, 1993, the 50th anniversary of the attack, the people of St. Nazaire honored Magee and the crew of his bomber by erecting a 6-foot-tall (1.8 m) memorial to them.

Personal life

[edit]

Magee was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, as the youngest of six children.

After the war, he earned his pilot's license and worked in the airline industry in a variety of roles. He retired in 1979 and moved to northern New Mexico. He died in San Angelo, Texas, on December 20, 2003, from stroke and kidney failure, at the age of 84.

See also

[edit]
Fall survivors
Other

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alan Magee

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from Grokipedia
Alan Eugene Magee (January 13, 1919 – December 20, 2003) was an American and gunner in the United States Army Air Forces during , best known for miraculously surviving a 20,000-foot fall without a after being ejected from his damaged B-17 Flying Fortress bomber over occupied . Born in , Magee enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 303rd Bomb Group, 360th Bomb Squadron in June 1942, where he participated in seven combat missions as part of the Eighth Air Force's campaign against . On January 3, 1943, during the group's ninth mission targeting German U-boat facilities in St. Nazaire, , Magee's B-17, nicknamed Snap! Crackle! Pop!, was struck by intense anti-aircraft fire and burst into flames at approximately 20,000 feet. Unable to bail out with a due to the fire and his position in the cramped , Magee was thrown from the aircraft and plummeted through the glass roof of the St. Nazaire railroad station below, where he landed on steel beams that partially cushioned the impact. He sustained severe injuries, including shattered bones, cuts from glass shards, and a nearly severed arm, but was rescued unconscious by a German military doctor who performed emergency surgery to save his life. Captured immediately after the crash, Magee was held as a in 17B until his liberation in 1945, enduring harsh conditions alongside fellow Allied airmen. For his service and extraordinary survival, he was awarded the , , and . After the war, Magee returned to civilian life, eventually settling in , where he lived until his death in San Angelo. In 1995, he revisited St. Nazaire for a honoring his seven crewmates who perished in the crash, during which the city's mayor named him an honorary citizen in recognition of his resilience and the event's historical significance.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Alan Eugene Magee was born on January 13, 1919, in Plainfield, New Jersey, as the youngest of six children born to Resue Magee and Doretta Louise (Winn) Magee. His siblings were Marjorie, Dorothy, Earl, Robert, and Adele. Magee grew up in Plainfield, a suburban community in Union County. His family resided in this environment, where his parents raised their large household amid the economic realities of the interwar period.

Pre-war occupation and enlistment

Before the outbreak of , Alan Magee worked for the Kellogg Company, the cereal manufacturer known for products like , in . The Japanese on December 7, 1941, galvanized Magee's sense of duty, reflecting the widespread patriotic fervor that swept through young American men eager to defend their nation against the . Motivated by this national crisis and a desire to contribute to the , he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on January 7, 1942, at the induction center in , entering service as a private in the Air Corps. During initial processing, Magee expressed interest in becoming a pilot, but his slight build—standing at 5 feet 6 inches and weighing 155 pounds—led him toward other aviation roles, aligning with the urgent need for skilled personnel in the expanding air forces. His enlistment embodied the era's collective call to arms, where thousands of civilians like him transitioned from everyday jobs to military service in response to the global threat.

Military service

Training and assignment

Following the , Alan Magee enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 7, 1942, at , as a private. He completed basic training shortly thereafter and, due to his small stature, was selected for specialized instruction as an aerial gunner. In 1942, Magee attended aerial gunnery school, where he trained specifically to operate the on heavy bombers, earning promotion to upon completion. By June 1942, Magee was assigned as a gunner to the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, then in at Alamogordo Field, , in preparation for overseas deployment with the . He continued crew through November 1942 before the group transferred to in late 1942, with the air echelon arriving in October-November, where he served as a . The 303rd Bomb Group, known as the "Hell's Angels," was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses for high-altitude bombing missions over . As a gunner, Magee occupied the most confined position on the B-17, a transparent, electrically powered approximately four feet in diameter suspended from the bomber's underbelly. Strapped into a fetal-like position with his knees drawn up and arms extended to control the turret, he manned twin .50-caliber machine guns, using hand joysticks to traverse the turret 360 degrees horizontally and 75 degrees vertically while sighting targets through an integrated activated by foot pedals. The role demanded exceptional endurance, quick reflexes, and resistance to , as gunners often flew entire missions—up to 10 hours—without exiting the turret, relying on an for coordination with the . Hazards included extreme cold at altitude (down to -50°F or lower), vulnerability to flak and fighter attacks from below, and the inability to wear a inside the cramped space, requiring manual cranking to rotate the turret for emergency egress if power failed. Electrically heated suits and flak vests offered partial protection, but the position's isolation left the gunner "completely alone and utterly vulnerable to enemy fire."

Combat missions leading to the incident

Magee deployed to , England, in late 1942 as part of the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy), assigned to the Eighth Air Force's campaign targeting Nazi-occupied , primarily submarine pens and industrial sites along the French coast to disrupt U-boat operations. His first six combat missions, flown between November 17, 1942, and December 20, 1942, focused on high-priority targets in France, including the U-boat facilities at , , and , as well as rail yards at and Romilly-sur-Seine. These operations exposed B-17 crews to intense anti-aircraft fire, or flak, from heavily defended coastal batteries—earning sites like the nickname "Flak City"—and sporadic intercepts by fighters, resulting in aircraft losses and crew injuries even in the early phases of the campaign. Serving as a gunner in the 360th Bombardment Squadron, Magee participated in several of these sorties aboard various B-17 Flying Fortresses, including the Shak Hak on the group's inaugural mission to and the Yardbird during the raid, where he manned flexible gun positions amid the constant threat of enemy fire. Crew dynamics on these long-duration flights, often exceeding four hours at altitudes around 20,000 feet, fostered tight-knit bonds forged in shared peril, but the accumulating combat hours intensified risks from battle fatigue and mechanical vulnerabilities in the unforgiving B-17 environment. By his sixth mission, Magee and his squadron mates had gained critical experience in evading flak bursts and engaging fighters, yet the Eighth Air Force's overall casualty rates underscored the perilous escalation of operations against fortified Axis positions.

The St. Nazaire mission and fall

On January 3, 1943, Alan Magee, serving as the ball turret gunner aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress Snap! Crackle! Pop! (serial number 41-24620) of the 360th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Group, participated in his crew's seventh . This daylight raid, part of a larger operation involving 72 B-17s, targeted the heavily fortified German torpedo storage facilities adjacent to U-boat pens at St. Nazaire, , to disrupt submarine operations in the Atlantic. The 303rd Group dispatched 17 for the 7-hour mission, approaching the target at approximately 20,000 feet while carrying five 1,000-pound bombs. As the formation neared the primary point of impact over St. Nazaire, the bombers encountered intense anti-aircraft fire from German flak batteries, which created a barrage of exploding shells around the . The Snap! Crackle! Pop!, piloted by Arthur I. Adams, sustained multiple direct hits, igniting fires that spread rapidly through the and critical components. This damage crippled the B-17's flight capabilities, forcing the crew to prepare for emergency evacuation amid the chaos of the bombing run and evasive maneuvers. The flak also inflicted heavy casualties across the group, with four B-17s ultimately lost over enemy territory. Magee, positioned in the cramped beneath the , was directly exposed to the onslaught when a flak burst shattered the turret's glass and mechanisms, rendering it inoperative and wounding him. As flames engulfed the plane, the ensuing fire consumed his pack—stored nearby in the —leaving it shredded and unusable. With the B-17 breaking apart and the crew bailing out, Magee was compelled to exit the damaged turret and move toward the , but the exploding hurled him out without a parachute at approximately 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) over occupied French territory. He began a harrowing toward the ground below.

Capture and survival

Immediate aftermath and injuries

After being ejected from the B-17 Flying Fortress without a during the mission over on January 3, 1943, Alan Magee fell approximately 22,000 feet before crashing through the glass roof of the local railroad station. The impact was partially cushioned by the station's steel beams and girders, followed by a short drop of about three feet to the floor below, which contributed to his improbable survival. Magee sustained severe injuries from both the preceding flak damage and the fall itself, including 28 shrapnel wounds across his body. These were compounded by a nearly severed right , a punctured , kidney damage, a broken with severe damage to one eye, and fractures including a broken right leg and ankle. Amid the shattered glass and debris inside the station, German soldiers discovered Magee and initially presumed him dead due to the extent of his wounds and the circumstances of the crash. To their astonishment, he was still alive, though unconscious, and they quickly moved to extract him from the wreckage.

Medical treatment and POW captivity

Following his fall through the glass roof of the railway station on January 3, 1943, Magee was rescued by German soldiers and rushed to a local for emergency treatment by German medical staff. He had sustained severe injuries, including a nearly severed right , 28 shrapnel wounds, a punctured , kidney damage, a broken with severe damage to one eye, and fractures including a broken right leg and ankle. A German doctor performed to reattach his arm and remove shrapnel fragments, providing compassionate care that prevented and addressed his critical condition during a prolonged and painful recovery period. After several months of hospitalization under German control, Magee was transferred as a to 17B in Braunau-Gneikendorf, near Krems, , where he received further medical attention despite the wartime constraints on resources. His recovery continued in the camp's facilities, allowing him to regain functionality in his limbs and overcome internal injuries that would have been fatal without timely intervention. Magee's survival was attributed to the effectiveness of the initial surgical procedures combined with his personal resilience amid ongoing health challenges. From January 1943 until his liberation in May 1945, Magee endured the daily hardships of POW life at 17B, including limited rations that often consisted of meager portions of bread, soup, and ersatz coffee, leading to widespread among inmates. He interacted with fellow American and Allied prisoners, sharing stories of their missions and supporting one another through forced labor details, interrogations, and the psychological strain of captivity. Despite these adversities, Magee maintained his fortitude, gradually rebuilding his strength while awaiting Allied advances.

Post-war life

Career and relocation

Following his discharge from the military in 1945, Alan Magee returned to his hometown of , where he earned a pilot's license in the late 1940s, building on his wartime background. Drawing from his experiences as a B-17 gunner, he transitioned into civilian by securing positions in the airline industry. He worked for in Miami, Florida, and later for Delta Airlines. Magee's professional roles spanned operations and air freight, contributing to the and maintenance aspects of commercial over more than three decades. He advanced through various capacities in the sector, leveraging his technical expertise until his retirement in 1979. After retiring, Magee relocated to northern , seeking a more serene environment away from the East Coast's bustle. He later moved to . This move allowed him to enjoy a quieter amid the region's landscapes.

Family and personal developments

Following his discharge from the military in 1945, Alan Magee remained unmarried for nearly four decades, focusing initially on his civilian career before forming a personal partnership later in life. In 1984, at the age of 65, he married Helen F. Harrison, with whom he shared a companionship marked by extensive and adventures. The couple had no children, and their family life centered on a close-knit bond without offspring, as evidenced by obituaries noting only his wife and extended relatives among survivors. Magee's personal interests post-war reflected a continued passion for aviation, stemming from his wartime experiences. After earning his pilot's license, he enjoyed flying recreationally and maintained ties to communities through his professional roles in the airline industry until retirement in 1979. Relocating to , that same year provided a serene setting for these pursuits, where he occasionally engaged in local gatherings, though details of formal involvement remain sparse. His career stability in enabled this supportive lifestyle for his . In private reflections on his extraordinary survival, Magee often attributed his endurance during recovery to spiritual , crediting divine intervention for sparing his life during the 20,000-foot fall. As he later recounted, "I don't know how I got there, but here I am, thanks to ," a sentiment that underscored his psychological coping mechanism amid severe injuries like shattered bones and internal damage treated in . This faith appears to have sustained him through post-war rehabilitation, fostering a resilient outlook in his personal life without public fanfare. In retirement with Helen, they embraced RV travel across the and abroad, embodying a quiet appreciation for life's second chances.

Legacy

Awards and military honors

For his service as a gunner with the 303rd Bomb Group of the , Staff Sergeant Alan E. Magee was awarded the for meritorious achievement in aerial flight during his combat missions over . This recognition honored his participation in seven bombing raids, including the perilous mission to St. Nazaire, , on January 3, 1943, where his B-17 Flying Fortress was severely damaged by enemy fire. Magee received for the severe injuries he sustained during that same mission, including shattered bones such as a fractured leg and ankle, a nearly severed , and numerous lacerations and internal injuries from crashing through the roof of the St. Nazaire railroad station after falling approximately 20,000 feet without a . The medal was presented to him upon his recovery and return to the United States following liberation from captivity in May 1945. In addition, Magee was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal for his endurance as a POW from January 1943 until the end of the war, during which he was held in Stalag 17B. This commendation acknowledged the hardships faced by American airmen captured while contributing to the Allied air campaign against Nazi-occupied Europe.

Commemorations and historical recognition

In 1995, on the 52nd anniversary of the incident, Alan Magee returned to the area near , , accompanied by his wife Helen, to participate in a commemoration ceremony organized by local French citizens. The event included a memorial mass and the unveiling of a at the crash site in , honoring the seven crew members of the B-17 Flying Fortress Snap! Crackle! Pop! who perished on January 3, 1943, as well as Magee's miraculous survival. The rough grey stone , standing on a tile walkway along Boulevard Jean Joseph de Cacqueray, features a black plaque with gold lettering detailing the crew's sacrifice and Magee's 20,000-foot fall without a , through which he was saved after crashing into a railroad station roof. Sponsored by the American Memorial Association and local residents, the dedication also involved Magee planting a "" at the site, symbolizing enduring Franco-American friendship. During the ceremony, the Mayor of named Magee an "Honorary Citizen" in recognition of his bravery and the lasting impact of his story on the community, which has preserved memories of the event through local accounts of his descent. The town has continued to maintain the memorial as a tribute to the Allied airmen, ensuring the crew's contributions to the against German facilities remain commemorated. Magee's survival has been highlighted in aviation history as an extraordinary tale of resilience, often cited in discussions of aerial combat perils. Following his death on December 20, 2003, Magee was initially buried in Pioneer Memorial Park Cemetery in Grape Creek, Texas, before being reinterred with military honors at the in , in plot COL 4 SITE B488. His headstone bears the inscription "TSGT ARMY AIR FORCES ," acknowledging his service as a ball turret gunner with the 303rd Bomb Group. This final resting place in a national cemetery serves as ongoing recognition of his contributions to the war and his remarkable endurance as a .

References

  1. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/alan-eugene-magee
  2. https://www.303rdbg.com/magee.html
  3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254192171/alan_eugene-magee
  4. https://gunsamerica.com/digest/ssg-alan-magee-the-luckiest-man-in-the-world/
  5. http://www.303rdbg.com/magee.html
  6. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/featured/gunner-fell-22000-feet-without-a-parachute-and-survived.html
  7. https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=BattleMemoryExt&ID=54687
  8. https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/alan-magee-22000-feet-no-parachute/
  9. https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=DecorationExt&ID=896556
  10. https://www.303rdbg.com/h-stations.html
  11. https://www.hhhistory.com/2021/09/wwii-b-17-ball-turrets-and-gunners-that.html
  12. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/unit/303rd-bomb-group
  13. https://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html
  14. https://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf
  15. https://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf
  16. https://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf
  17. https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-alan-e-magee-the-b-17-belly-gunner-who-survived-a-20000-foot-fall-without-parachute-from-his-damaged-flying-fortress/
  18. https://airfactsjournal.com/2025/08/the-miracle-of-saint-nazaire/
  19. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/04/17/ww2-airman-fell-20000-feet-without-a-parachute-before-smashing-through-the-glass-roof-of-a-train-station-he-survived-and-lived-to-82/
  20. https://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/FreeFall1943.htm
  21. https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=5229
  22. https://archive.gosanangelo.com/news/local/the-wwii-fighter-who-fell-to-earth--and-lived-3a49feab-c26c-1342-e053-0100007fb33d-390627751.html
  23. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Harrison-32746
  24. https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-369413/
  25. https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=635&MemID=919
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