Exploits of World War II Medal of Honor recipient recalled
HENRY E. ERWIN, B-29 SUPER-FORTRESS RADIO OPERATOR’S HEROISM SAVED AIRCRAFT AND CREW MEMBERS
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| Air guardsman receives prestigious Henry e. Erwin Award |
Story by Staff Sgt. Lealan Buehrer 182ND AIRLIFT WING
Peoria air guardsman receives prestigious Red Erwin Award
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan J. Lane of the 169th Airlift Squadron, center, displays the Red Erwin award with family members at the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill., Dec. 8, 2013. Lane competed against 3,000 other Air National Guard candidates to win the Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member Airman of the Year Award. He was presented the honor for his outstanding accomplishments, leadership traits that impacted his unit’s mission and self-improvement in areas such as education and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lealan C. Buehrer/Released) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
HENRY E. ERWIN
JUNE 6, 1945 MEDAL OF HONOR Citation
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| Henry Erwin |
He was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphoresce smoke bombs to aid in assembling the group when the launching point was reached. Upon entering the assembly area, aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition was encountered. Among the phosphoresce bombs launched by S/Sgt. Erwin, 1 proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphoresce obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. S/Sgt. Erwin realized that the aircraft and crew would be lost if the burning bomb remained in the plane. Without regard for his own safety, he picked it up and feeling his way, instinctively, crawled around the gun turret and headed for the copilot’s window. He found the navigator’s table obstructing his passage. Grasping the burning bomb between his forearm and body, he unleashed the spring lock and raised the table. Struggling through the narrow passage he stumbled forward into the smoke-filled pilot’s compartment. Groping with his burning hands, he located the window and threw the bomb out. Completely aflame, he fell back upon the floor. The smoke cleared, the pilot, at 300 feet, pulled the plane out of its dive. S/Sgt. Erwin’s gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.
Erwin survived his burns. He was flown back to the United States, and after 30 months and 41 surgeries, his eyesight was restored and he regained use of one arm.
Erwin died at the age of 80 in 2002.
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