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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: SSgt Henry "Red" Erwin ~ July 14, 2014
Serving The Best Troops & Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

Posted on 07/13/2014 4:59:47 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska


Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 
 
~ Hall of Heroes ~

SSgt Henry "Red" Erwin

Some info from this website.

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

 By: DaveTroll

Without counting the cost to himself, SSgt. Henry Erwin
did what had to be done to save the B-29 crew.


We may marvel at the heroism and tenacity of the men whose stories have been told in this column, but few readers can truly comprehend the suffering of many Vietnam POWs, the epic struggle of Lance Sijan, or the gallantry of Jack Mathis. What they did lies beyond the realm of our experience. But most of us have borne in some small degree the kind of anguish SSgt. Henry E. Erwin endured to save the lives of his fellow crewmen. We can empathize with his suffering and perhaps more fully appreciate the depth of his heroism.

On April 12, 1945, the City of Los Angeles, a 29th Bombardment Group aircraft commanded by Capt. George Simeral, led a formation of Guam-based B-29s in a low-level attack on a chemical plant at Koriyama, some 120 miles north of Tokyo. It was the 11th combat mission for Simeral's lead crew. Alabama-born Henry Erwin, known to his family as "Gene" and to his squadron mates as "Red," was the B-29's radio operator. According to retired Colonel Simeral, a holder of the Distinguished Service Cross, Erwin was "a country boy, quiet, unassuming, religiously devout," and the best radioman of the 52d Bomb Squadron.

One of Erwin's additional duties was to drop a phosphorus smoke bomb through a chute in the B-29's floor when the lead plane reached an assembly area over enemy territory. He was given the signal to drop the bomb when the City of Los Angeles was off the south coast of Japan and under attack by flak ships. Erwin, bare-headed and with shirtsleeves rolled up, pulled the pin and released his bomb into the chute. The fuse malfunctioned, igniting the phosphorus, which burned at a temperature of 1,300 degrees. (The heating element of an electric range glows red at 1,100 degrees.) The canister blew back up the chute into Erwin's face, blinding him, searing off one ear, and filling the B-29 with heavy smoke that obscured the pilots' instrument panel.

Erwin knew that the bomb would burn through the metal floor into the bomb bay. It had to be jettisoned or the aircraft and crew were lost. Totally blind, he located the burning bomb on the floor, picked it up in his bare hands, and stumbled forward toward the flight deck, aiming to throw it out the copilot's window. As he groped his way around the gun turret, his face and arms covered with ignited phosphorus, his path was blocked by the navigator's folding table, hinged to the wall but now down and locked. The navigator had left his table to make a sighting.

Erwin needed both hands to release the table's latches. While he felt for them, he held the white-hot bomb under his bare right arm. In those seconds, the phosphorus burned through his flesh to the bone. Now a walking torch, Erwin staggered on into the pit, threw the bomb out the window, and collapsed between the pilots' seats.

Simeral, no longer blinded by smoke, pulled the B-29 out of a dive at 300 feet above the water and turned toward Iwo Jima where Erwin could be given emergency treatment. Horrified crew members extinguished the flames consuming Erwin's clothing and administered first aid. Whenever the sergeant's burns were uncovered, phosphorus embedded in his flesh began to smoulder. In terrible pain, Erwin remained conscious throughout the flight to Iwo. He spoke only to inquire about the safety of the crew.

The crew of the City of Los Angeles, Major General Willis Hale, and Red Erwin at the presentation of his Medal of Honor.The medics at Iwo did not believe Erwin could survive. Cutting through red tape, Army Air Force officials, spurred by Maj. Gen. Curtis LeMay and Brig. Gen. Lauris Norstad, approved award of the Medal of Honor in a matter of hours, so a presentation could be made while Erwin lived. A Medal was flown to Guam and presented in the hospital there.

Contrary to the flight surgeons' opinion, Erwin did survive. He was evacuated to the States, and after 30 months and reconstructive surgery that restored his eyesight and the use of one arm, Erwin was given a disability discharge from the AAF as a master sergeant in October 1947. For 37 years he served as a Veterans' Benefit Counselor at the VA Hospital in Birmingham.

While Erwin lay swathed in bandages in the hospital at Guam, Gen. Hap Arnold wrote: "I regard your act as one of the bravest in the records of this war." No one could argue with that judgment. Erwin was, and always will remain, a hero among heroes.

Related Links:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/wings/erwin.html
http://www.homeofheroes.com/wings/erwin_tribute.html
Citation

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 52d Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force.

Place and date: Koriyama, Japan, 12 April 1945.

Entered service at: Bessemer, Ala.

Born: 8 May 1921, Adamsville, Ala. G.O. No.: 44, 6 June 1945.

Citation: 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.
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: SandRat

To funny, Sand, too funny!! Perfect caption for the little guy.


41 posted on 07/13/2014 9:51:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: SkyDancer

Enjoy your time off, Janey.

Record hot, record cold! BRRRR!!


42 posted on 07/13/2014 10:10:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa; SandRat
I hate Mondays.

Me, too!!!

43 posted on 07/13/2014 10:21:49 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thunderstorms due tomorrow. Generally, however, this July seems a little milder than those in the past.


44 posted on 07/13/2014 10:50:00 PM PDT by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: LUV W

Good morning, Luv...happy Monday!

Yes, so many heroes! So amazing!


45 posted on 07/13/2014 10:57:05 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: MoochPooch

Stay dry, and cool! Enjoy the summer.


46 posted on 07/13/2014 10:59:47 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa

A nice night out...good for you.

Be careful with your new walking regimen, and good luck!


47 posted on 07/13/2014 11:14:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: yarddog

You are so right, yarddog, you really must admire those who overcome some of the worst challenges to make it, and even make it big.


48 posted on 07/13/2014 11:24:33 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa


49 posted on 07/14/2014 12:37:02 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

God Bless you good, Mac. *HUGS* Good night and rest well.
Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present.
Thank you for your service to our country.


50 posted on 07/14/2014 12:42:18 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: E.G.C.; beachn4fun; Arrowhead1952; ConorMacNessa; MEG33; LUV W; PROCON; SandRat; Allegra; ...



51 posted on 07/14/2014 12:44:20 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: All
Good afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a cupcake?

Cookies?

Pancakes?

Treats?


52 posted on 07/14/2014 12:48:55 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Jet Jaguar; txradioguy; JemiansTerror; MEG33; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; Defender2; ...


God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.


Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art


53 posted on 07/14/2014 12:49:49 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

This is the first time I’ve logged on in almost 2 years, and just noticed I missed my 10 year anniversary here on FR (June 25, 2004). Time flies when you’re working 60-70 hours a week, I guess :)

May God bless and keep our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen!!!


54 posted on 07/14/2014 1:23:21 AM PDT by SirLurkedalot (My carry permit was issued in 1791.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

55 posted on 07/14/2014 1:26:10 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


56 posted on 07/14/2014 1:26:30 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska

We had a beautiful day Sunday.

The “Triumphant trio” introduced two new songs, “Power in the Blood” (Over 100 years old) and “10,000 Reasons” (Last year’s Christian Music Award Winner, by Matt Redman)

AND, later on, I got to ride my Harley.

AND, last night, in the absence of cable, I watched “The Ten Commandments” on a special DVD that had running commentary about the Production, People, and other lore about the film.

We don’t NEED no Steenking cable! LOL


57 posted on 07/14/2014 5:37:54 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: ConorMacNessa

“aux armes, citoyens!”

Hmmmmmm.
je parle enought Francais to sais what THAT means! LOL


58 posted on 07/14/2014 5:40:06 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: All; Kathy in Alaska; The Mayor; beachn4fun; Arrowhead1952; LUV W

Happy Monday To The Canteen



Navy grandson is home and my family will be here today
in celebration.
*HUGS*
Have A Good Week

59 posted on 07/14/2014 6:02:18 AM PDT by MEG33 (Pray For Our Nation)
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To: beachn4fun

Hiya Beachie! Wow, we had a huge thunderstorm descend upon us yesterday, rain and temps in the 60’s. Suppose to be hot today. Hope your weekend went well.


60 posted on 07/14/2014 6:06:32 AM PDT by PROCON (I WILL NOT SUBMIT TO TYRANNY!)
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