In the waning days of World War II, as American forces pushed closer to final victory in the Pacific, one young man’s courage would leave a permanent mark on history. Master Sgt. Henry Eugene “Red” Erwin was just 23 years old when he faced a fiery ordeal aboard a B-29 Superfortress that few men could have survived.
It was April 12, 1945. Erwin was part of a mission with the 52nd Bombardment Squadron, flying over Japan. Their target: a chemical plant in Koriyama. The B-29 bomber, nicknamed the City of Los Angeles, carried a weapon that demanded flawless execution—a phosphorus smoke bomb used to mark targets for the formation. Erwin’s duty as the radio operator was to deploy this signal through a launch chute in the aircraft’s belly.
But in the chaos of war, a single moment can change everything.
When Erwin pulled the pin and attempted to drop the bomb, it malfunctioned. Instead of descending out of the plane, it ignited inside the aircraft. The canister of white phosphorus burst into flames with a temperature so intense it could melt steel. In an instant, the cockpit filled with thick, choking smoke and searing fire.
The explosion struck Erwin directly in the face. White-hot phosphorus seared his skin, blinding him instantly and burning his flesh to the bone. The grenade-sized canister fell to the floor, threatening to ignite the plane’s store of ammunition. If it wasn’t removed, the B-29 would explode midair, killing everyone aboard.
Blinded, engulfed in flames, and screaming in pain, Erwin could have collapsed. But instead, he acted.
Relying on sheer instinct and courage, Erwin reached down, grabbed the flaming canister with his bare, burning hands, and clutched it tightly against his body. The pain was unimaginable, but he refused to let go. He knew the fate of his crew rested entirely on what he did next.
Step by agonizing step, Erwin crawled forward through the smoke-filled cabin. His clothes and skin burned away as the fire devoured him. Fellow crew members shouted in horror, unable to reach him through the haze and confusion.
With every ounce of strength he had left, Erwin staggered toward the cockpit. He forced his way past the navigator’s table, still clutching the inferno to his chest. At last, he reached a small opening in the co-pilot’s window and hurled the canister outside the plane.
The danger had passed—but Erwin collapsed in a heap of flames. His body was charred, his lungs filled with smoke, and his crew believed he would not live through the hour. Yet, despite his unimaginable injuries, the bomber steadied, and the mission continued. The B-29 turned back to base, carrying with it a man whose sacrifice had just saved them all.
The Aftermath
When the aircraft landed, Erwin’s condition was so dire that medics did not expect him to survive. His burns covered most of his body, his eyesight was gone, and his lungs were severely damaged. Doctors told his comrades he would not live beyond the night.
But Erwin defied every prediction. After more than 40 reconstructive surgeries and years of painful recovery, he survived. Though permanently scarred and blinded, his courage inspired all who met him.
A Medal of Honor in Record Time
Word of Erwin’s heroism spread quickly through the Air Force. His actions were deemed so extraordinary that General Curtis LeMay himself expedited the paperwork for the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration. In fact, the process was completed in just over a week—one of the fastest in U.S. history.
On April 19, 1945, while Erwin lay in critical condition, President Harry S. Truman personally approved the award. It was placed into Erwin’s bandaged hands while he lay in the hospital, surrounded by his crew and military officials.
A Legacy of Courage
Against all odds, Henry Erwin lived until 2002, carrying with him both the scars of that day and the respect of a grateful nation. He never considered himself a hero. In his own words, he had simply done his duty—to protect his brothers in arms, no matter the cost.
His story remains a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In the darkest moment, when death was certain and escape was impossible, one man’s choice lit the path of survival for his crew.
Henry Erwin’s name may not be known to every household, but his actions embody the essence of sacrifice, courage, and devotion to others. His story is not just about war—it is about humanity at its most unbreakable.