Medal of Honor: Henry E. Erwin – World War II – April 12, 1945

Name: Henry E. Erwin
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
War: World War II
Unit: 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force
Date of Action: April 12, 1945
Location: Koriyama, Japan

Summary of Action

On 12 April 1945, Staff Sergeant Henry E. Erwin served as radio operator aboard a B-29 Superfortress leading a group formation assigned to attack Koriyama, Japan.

He also carried the additional duty of launching phosphorus smoke bombs used to help assemble the bomber formation at the designated point.

As the aircraft entered the assembly area, it came under anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter attack.

During the launch sequence, one smoke bomb malfunctioned.

It exploded in the launching chute and shot back into the interior of the aircraft, striking Erwin in the face.

The burning phosphorus obliterated his nose and instantly blinded him.

Thick smoke filled the plane, obscuring the pilot’s vision as the bomber began to lose control.

Erwin understood that if the burning bomb remained inside, the aircraft and entire crew would be lost.

Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own safety, he picked up the blazing bomb.

Unable to see, he felt his way around the gun turret and crawled toward the cockpit.

A navigator’s table blocked the narrow passage.

Holding the burning bomb against his own body and forearm, he released the lock, raised the table, and forced his way through.

Stumbling into the smoke-filled pilot compartment, he groped for the copilot’s window.

With hands badly burned and body aflame, he found the opening and hurled the bomb out of the aircraft.

He then collapsed to the floor.

The smoke immediately cleared, allowing the pilot—flying at only 300 feet—to recover from the dive and save the aircraft.

By enduring unimaginable injuries to save his crew, Staff Sergeant Erwin displayed gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

Medal of Honor Citation

ERWIN, HENRY E. (Air Mission)

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.