Beyond Valor
A World War II Story of Extraordinary Heroism, Sacrificial Love, and a Race against Time
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
On April 12, 1945, a fleet of American B-29 bombers flew toward Japan. Their mission was simple: Stop World War II by burning the cities, factories, and military bases of the Japanese empire, thereby forcing an unconditional surrender. But it didn't go as planned. Beyond Valor is one soldier's extraordinary tale of bravery, faith, and devotion.
Onboard one of the B-29s, the City of Los Angeles, a phosphorus bomb detonated inside the plane. Staff Sergeant Henry E. "Red" Erwin absorbed the blast of burning phosphorus and managed to throw the still-flaming bomb overboard before collapsing from the third-degree burns that covered his body.
Breaking protocol, the plane diverted to a military hospital at Iwo Jima. President Truman quickly ordered that Erwin be awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest honor of the American military.
Drawn from in-depth interviews with eyewitnesses and deep archival research, Beyond Valor tells the gripping story of Erwin's life--from his upbringing in the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama to his enduring commitment to supporting veterans. Beyond Valor gives you a front-row seat to Erwin's amazing life and legacy. Along the way, you'll learn:
How Erwin's childhood in Birmingham shaped his faith and his familyHow a split-second decision changed the course of his lifeThe countless ways that Erwin chose to give back to his fellow veterans after he returned home
Beyond Valor is about more than that fateful day in April 1945. It's a story of one man's journey from the ultimate despair to a place beyond service, beyond honor, and beyond valor: a life illuminated by the light of God's love.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Director and film producer Erwin recounts the experiences of his grandfather, staff sergeant Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, during WWII in this thrilling biography. Red earned the Medal of Honor for his actions when a phosphorus bomb exploded in his B-29 Superfortress over Tokyo on Apr. 12, 1945. Blinded and burning, he grabbed the bomb and threw it out the window, saving the crew. The breathless drama aboard the massive aircraft, which recovered control after a fall to 300 feet and barely emergency landed on Iwo Jima, will tantalize readers with Red's resolve, sense of duty, and the power of prayer. Generously supported by interviews with the flight crew, Erwin combines historical fact and anecdotal material to reveal Red's religious devotion and profound patriotism. (He also offers a history of the Superfortress class of bombers.) Erwin's research is keen on historical data and delivery of technical, medical, and emotional detail, and helps him make his case about the lasting effects of heroic actions on the lives of survivors. This is a miraculous story of tenacity under pressure and the optimistic power of faith.
