Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Master Sgt. Henry E. Erwin
B-29 ...an enlisted story.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
1. Master Sgt. Henry E. Erwin Marker
Inscription.
Master Sgt. Henry E. Erwin. B-29 ...an enlisted story.. For combat aircrews the danger isn't always from flak and enemy fighters. It sometimes comes from within as Staff Sgt. Henry "Red" Erwin found out April 12, 1945, during a B-29 mission over Koriyama, Japan. One of the young radio operator's duties was to trigger and drop a phosphorous flare to signal other bombers in the formation to release their lethal loads. A faulty arming device ignited the flare but failed to release it. Despite injuries from the phosphorus flash, Sergeant Erwin grabbed the flare, which burned at a metal-melting 1,300 degrees, and made for the front of the aircraft where he successfully jettisoned it through the co-pilot's window. As he lapsed into unconsciousness, Sergeant Erwin inquired about the crew's safety. Officials rushed through a recommendation for the Medal of Honor fully expecting the hero to die from his burns. But he survived and was later discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. He went on to serve the Veterans Administration for more than 30 years.
For combat aircrews the danger isn't always from flak and enemy fighters. It sometimes comes from within as Staff Sgt. Henry "Red" Erwin found out April 12, 1945, during a B-29 mission over Koriyama, Japan. One of the young radio operator's duties was to trigger and drop a phosphorous flare to signal other bombers in the formation to release their lethal loads. A faulty arming device ignited the flare but failed to release it. Despite injuries from the phosphorus flash, Sergeant Erwin grabbed the flare, which burned at a metal-melting 1,300 degrees, and made for the front of the aircraft where he successfully jettisoned it through the co-pilot's window. As he lapsed into unconsciousness, Sergeant Erwin inquired about the crew's safety. Officials rushed through a recommendation for the Medal of Honor fully expecting the hero to die from his burns. But he survived and was later discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. He went on to serve the Veterans Administration for more than 30 years.
Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
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• War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1945.
Location. 29° 23.384′ N, 98° 37.161′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museums Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museums web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.
Also see . . . Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
3. B-29 Superfortress
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
