Beyond Valor : A World War II Story of Extraordinary Heroism, Sacrificial Love, and a Race Against Time

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 family How a split-second decision changed the course of his life The 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. Beyond Valor is one soldiers extraordinary tale of bravery, heroism, faith, and devotion. 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. Yet the mission did not go as planned. On board 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 yet managed to throw overboard the still-flaming bomb, before collapsing from the third-degree burns over much of 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, before the young airman died of his wounds. There was just one problem: no Medals of Honor were available in the entire Pacific theater. General Curtis LeMay dispatched a squad of airmen on a 1,000-mile mission to smash their way into a display case and steal a medal to give to Erwin before time ran out. Meanwhile, Reds courageous young bride set out on her own mission, one of against-all-odds healing. Her success would determine the fate of the twenty-three-year-old warrior--and years later make possible the birth of the book's author: their grandson, Jon Erwin. Drawn from in-depth interviews with eyewitnesses and deep archival research, Beyond Valor is an extraordinary tale of bravery, heroism, faith, and devotion. "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 emƠpire, thereby forcing an unconditional surrenƠder. Yet the mission did not go as planned. On board 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 yet managed to throw overboard the still-flaming bomb, beƠfore collapsing from the third-degree burns over much of 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, before the young airman died of his wounds. There was just one problem: no Medals of Honor were available in the entire Pacific theater. General Curtis LeMay dispatched a squad of airmen on a 1,000-mile mission to smash their way into a display case and steal a medal to give to Erwin before time ran out. Meanwhile, a courageous teenage bride set out on her own mission, one of against-all-odds healing. Her mission's success would mean an entirely new destiny for the twenty-three-year-old warrior--and years later make possible the birth of the book's author, Jon Erwin. Beyond Valor is an extraordinary, never-before-told tale of bravery, heroism, faith, and devotion."--Page 2 of cover A Miraculous True Story Of A Soldier's Unspeakable Heroism, A Teenage Woman's Unfailing Love, And The Faith That Secured Them All. On April 12, 1945, As A Fleet Of American B-29 Bombers Flew Toward Japan, Disaster Struck: A Phosphorous Bomb Detonated Inside One Of The Planes. Staff Sergeant Henry E. Red Erwin Absorbed The Blast Of Burning Phosphorous And Threw Overboard The Still-flaming Bomb, Then Collapsed From The Third-degree Burns Over Much Of His Body. Erwin's Plane Diverted To A Military Hospital To Try To Save Him, And President Truman Ordered Erwin Be Awarded The Medal Of Honor. General Curtis Lemay Ordered A Squad Of Airmen On A 1,000-mile Mission To Smash Their Way Into A Display Case And Steal A Medal Of Honor Before Erwin Died. Meanwhile, A Courageous Teenage Bride Set Out On Her Own Mission, One Of Against-all-odds Healing. Her Mission's Success Would Mean An Entirely New Destiny For The Twenty-three-year-old Warrior--and Years Later Make Possible The Birth Of The Book's Author, Jon Erwin. For Love And Honor Is An Extraordinary Tale Of Bravery, Heroism, Faith, And Devotion. Beyond Valor is one soldier's extraordinary tale of bravery, heroism, faith, and devotion. "Amazing...A thrilling and poignant story of patriotism that all Americans can be stirred, moved, and encouraged by." — Gary Sinise 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. Yet the mission did not go as planned. On board 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 yet managed to throw overboard the still-flaming bomb, be­fore collapsing from the third-degree burns over much of his body. Breaking protocol, the plane diverted to a military hospital at Iwo Jima. President Truman quickly ordered that Erwin be awarded the Medal...