I CAN ONLY IMAGINE Director to Make Movie About WWII Hero Grandfather
By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer
After his success directing 2018’s I CAN ONLY IMAGINE and 2019’s I STILL BELIEVE, Jon Erwin is undertaking a personal story: his heroic grandfather’s sacrifice and service in World War II.
The 38-year-old filmmaker and CEO of Kingdom Story Company says the movie, based on his recently released book, will tell the true story of how his grandfather, Henry “Red” Erwin, threw a bomb out of a fighter plane to save his comrades. His heroic sacrifice saved the entire B-29 bomber crew and earned him a Medal of Honor—as well as extensive burn injuries.
“Of course, the dream has always been to do a movie of our Granddad’s story,” Erwin. “It’s a big movie. There are only two flying B-29s left in the world. It’s going to take a while. We’re starting that process now. I’d love to see the story on the big screen where it belongs. But I’m really happy to have gotten this [book] version of it done so that we can preserve the story, and I hope it inspires people, and reminds people.”
While on a B-29 bomber flying over Japan on April 12, 1945, a phosphorus bomb malfunctioned and detonated inside the plane, engulfing “Red” Erwin in flames. With smoke blocking the pilot’s controls, the plane nosedived. While still burning, “Red” Erwin bear-hugged the phosphorus bomb, carried it to the front window of the bomber, and threw it out, saving the plane and 12 men.
“Red” Erwin received emergency treatment for his burns and eventually went to Northington Hospital in Tuscaloosa on May 7, 1945. Over the course of two years, he underwent 41 surgeries. “Red” Erwin received the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.
In 2002, “Red” Erwin passed away. After the funeral, then-19-year-old Jon Erwin started to realize how impressive his grandfather’s story was. This sparked years of research for the Erwin brothers, Jon and Andy.
“That started a journey, for Andy and me, over 15 years ago, to find his surviving crew members, and to interview his family, his brothers, my grandmother, other B-29ers, to go to the B-29 reunions,” Jon Erwin said. “It was this incredible journey of discovery.”
Those years of research culminated in Erwin’s new book, “Beyond Valor,” which he co-wrote with William Doyle.
Despite Erwin’s passion for his grandfather’s story and the release of his new book and plans for a movie, his initial response to his grandfather’s life was intimidation.
“For a long time, I ran away from my grandfather’s story as a Medal of Honor recipient. I didn’t want to be overshadowed by it,” Erwin wrote.
But the story became bigger than the Medal of Honor, and Erwin noted that “Red” Erwin’s personal story should be shared in all its beauty.
Erwin said that seeing how his grandmother responded to her husband coming home is just one example of how the story extends beyond the event in the B-29 bomber.
“One of the great things about this is it’s a beautiful love story,” Erwin said. “The way my grandmother accepted him and loved him after his injuries is just incredible.”
“He was horribly burned on the right side of his body, He was terrified that she would abandon him, as many of the wives of burn victims did,” Erwin continued. “They just didn’t know what to do. This was his greatest fear. And she came and found the only unburned portion of his cheek, on his left side, kissed him, and said, ‘Welcome home, I love you.’ It was really special.”
The book and upcoming film are some of the first steps in telling the full story, which Erwin hopes will inspire people and remind them of the sacrifice of those who serve their country.
“I hope this is another story of heroism that reminds people that the freedoms that we enjoy came at a price,” Erwin said. “We should never forget that.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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