Master Sergeant Henry E. Erwin, Sr. =- Birmingham, AL - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

Henry E. Erwin, Sr., was born on May 8, 1921 and joined the United States Army and was serving as a Staff Sergeant with the 52nd Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force during World War II. During a bombing mission on April 12, 1945 over Koriyama, Japan a smoke bomb exploded in his B-29, seriously injuring him. As smoke filled the aircraft, Staff Sergeant Erwin pickup the burning bomb and carried through the aircraft and threw it out the window. Staff Sergeant Erwin suffered severe burns but his actions saved the aircraft and its crew. For his heroic action Staff Sergeant Erwin was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 6, 1945. Sergeant Henry E. Erwin recovered from his injuries and after the war he return to Alabama, where he lived for the rest of his life. Sergeant Erwin died on January 16, 2002 at the age of 80. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information: (visit link)

Sergeant Erwin’s Medal of Honor Citation reads:

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.”

Armed Service: Army

Visit Instructions:
To properly log your find, post a photograph of the medal recipient's grave marker. Do not place anything on the grave when taking the photo. If you have more information about the recipient please include it in your log.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   05/19/2023 TaryntheGreek visited it