Erwin, Henry Eugene, 1921-2002
Name Entries
person
Erwin, Henry Eugene, 1921-2002
Name Components
Surname :
Erwin
Forename :
Henry Eugene
Date :
1921-2002
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Erwin, Henry Eugene, Sr., 1921-2002
Name Components
Surname :
Erwin
Forename :
Henry Eugene
NameAddition :
Sr.
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Erwin, Henry E., 1921-2002
Name Components
Surname :
Erwin
Forename :
Henry E.
Date :
1921-2002
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Erwin, Red, 1921-2002
Name Components
Surname :
Erwin
Forename :
Red
Date :
1921-2002
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Genders
Male
Exist Dates
Biographical History
Henry Eugene Erwin Sr. (May 8, 1921 – January 16, 2002) was a United States Army Air Forces airman and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. For 37 years, Erwin served as a benefits counselor at the veterans' hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1951, his story was included in the movie The Wild Blue Yonder in which Erwin was portrayed by Dave Sharpe. In 1997, the Air Force created the Henry E. Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year Award. It is presented annually to an airman, noncommissioned officer and senior noncommissioned officer in the flight engineering, loadmaster, air surveillance and related career fields. It is only the second Air Force award named for an enlisted person. Erwin died at his home on January 16, 2002, and was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.
Erwin's Medal of Honor citation reads: Staff Sergeant Henry Eugene Erwin, 52nd Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, was the radio operator of a B-29 airplane leading a group formation to attack Koriyama, Japan, on 12 April 1945. He was charged with the additional duty of dropping phosphorus 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 phosphorus bombs launched by Sergeant Erwin, one proved faulty, exploding in the launching chute, and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking him in the face. The burning phosphorus obliterated his nose and completely blinded him. Smoke filled the plane, obscuring the vision of the pilot. Sergeant 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. Clasping 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. Sergeant Erwin's gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of his comrades.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
https://viaf.org/viaf/13733260
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n85038952
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n85038952
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q9287824
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7658512/henry-eugene-erwin#
https://viaf.org/viaf/4265158858121444490009
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n2020020623
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2020020623
Other Entity IDs (Same As)
Sources
Loading ...
Resource Relations
Loading ...
Internal CPF Relations
Loading ...
Languages Used
eng
Latn
Subjects
B-29 (Bomber)
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
Radio operators
World War II, 1939-1945
Nationalities
Americans
Activities
Occupations
Airforce personnel
Counselors
Radio operators
Veterans
Legal Statuses
Places
Adamsville
AssociatedPlace
Birth
Birmingham
AssociatedPlace
Death
Convention Declarations
<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>