Roy Bascom Erwin, Jr. was born on March 17, 1920. He was the son of Roy Bascom Erwin and Verda Pauline Erwin White Hess.

Roy, Jr. served in the 67th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of the B-24 #41-23806 "Bat outta Hell" during World War II. On January 3, 1943, their airplane crash-landed at New House Farm, Dreenhill, Wales, due to fuel exhaustion. Their plane was engaged in bombing the submarine pens in St. Nazaire, France, and was returning home when they were mistakenly headed for the Pembrokeshire coast. Three crew members died in the incident.

1Lt Erwin survived the crash-landing and was taken back to the hospital in Louisiana. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and died on January 5, 1943. 1Lt Erwin is now buried in the Rose Hill Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas, USA.