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

by Jon Erwin, William Doyle

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400216840
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	865,060
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Jon Erwin, the grandson of Medal of Honor recipient Henry E. “Red” Erwin isan American film director and producer. With his brother Andrew, he is among only eight directors to receive the incredibly rare A+ Cinemascore not once but twice, joining a list that includes Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis. Their film I Can Only Imagine was the #1 independent movie of 2018. The brothers have a multi-year film and TV deal at Lionsgate and are developing Beyond Valor into a major motion picture

William Doyle is the award winning, New York Times bestselling author of ten nonfiction books, and has produced TV shows for HBO, the History Channel, and PBS. He is coauthor with Chris Kyle of American Gun and, with Dick Couch, of Navy SEALs. He is also author of the highly acclaimed 2015 book PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy. Doyle is a Fulbright Scholar and the son of a US Army combat veteran who served in the Pacific theater during World War II.

Table of Contents

Prologue xv

Introduction xix

Chapter 1 The Making of a Man 1

Chapter 2 To End This Business of War 11

Chapter 3 Journey to the Apocalypse 33

Chapter 4 Day of Destiny 67

Chapter 5 Race Against Time 77

Chapter 6 The Gates of Eternity 99

Chapter 7 Homecoming 113

Chapter 8 Guardian Angel 133

Chapter 9 Legacy in the Clouds 153

Afterword: In His Own Words 165

Acknowledgments 169

Appendix: Seven Prayers 171

Author Note 181

Notes 185

Bibliography 203

About the Authors 213

Editorial Reviews

06/08/2020

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. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly