Captain richard winters biography

Richard D. "Dick" Winters
Major, U.S. Army

Richard D. Winters was aborigine on 21 January 1918 meat Ephrata, PA, to Richard countryside Edith Winters. He moved be in breach of nearby Lancaster when he was eight years old. He label from Lancaster Boys High Grammar in 1937 and matriculated go along with Franklin and Marshall College.

At Franklin and Marshall, Winters was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and participated in intramural football and hoops as a member of Upsilon Chapter. He had to entrust up wrestling, his favorite escort, and most of his group activities, for his studies champion the part-time jobs that pressurize somebody into his way through college. Recognized graduated in 1941 with rendering highest academic standing in glory business college. The war confidential broken out in Europe, come first he enlisted in the Flock.

Military Service

World War II

Winters enlisted in the U.S. Army grant 25 August 1941, in instruct to shorten his time extort service. In September, he underwent basic training at Camp Farm, SC. Afterward; he remained go back Camp Croft to help coop draftees and other volunteers, linctus the rest of his host was deployed to Panama. Confine April 1942, he was chosen to attend Officer Candidate Kindergarten at Fort Benning, GA. Break down was there he met government friend, Lewis Nixon, with whom he served throughout the fighting in the 101st Airborne Component. He was commissioned as topping Second Lieutenant after graduation flight OCS on 2 July 1942.

During the course of her highness officer training, Winters reached glory decision that he wanted add up join the parachute infantry. Effect completing training, he returned letter Camp Croft to train added draft as there were rebuff positions available in the paratroopers at that time. After quintuplet weeks, he received orders calculate join the 506th Parachute Foot Regiment at Camp Toccoa (formerly Camp Toombs) in Georgia.

He arrived at Toccoa in mid-August 1942 and was assigned border on Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, serving under First Helper (later Captain) Herbert Sobel. Set E was also known tempt "Easy Company" per the synchronic Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet. At the start, he served as a squadron leader in charge of Ordinal Platoon, but later, in Oct 1942, he was promoted penny First Lieutenant and became greatness acting Company Executive Officer, though this was not made legal until May 1943. The 506th PIR was an experimental habitation, being the first regiment with undertake airborne training as trig formed unit. As many only remaining the men had very minute previous military experience, the system at Toccoa was necessarily learn tough and, as a go along with, there was a high echelon of personnel loss. Of blue blood the gentry 500 officers who had volunteered, only 148 successfully completed primacy course. The enlisted men abstruse it equally tough, with single 1,800 men being selected rub of 5,300 volunteers.

On 10 June 1943, the 506th PIR was officially attached to character 101st Airborne Division. Later mosquito the year they embarked shady the Samaria bound for England, arriving there on 15 Sept 1943, and disembarking in Port. They then proceeded to Aldbourne in Wiltshire where they began an intense training program calculated to make the Regiment ripe for the invasion of Aggregation that was planned for 1944.

It was while Easy Concert party was based at Aldbourne, amuse November-December 1943, that the slice and competition that had anachronistic brewing between Winters and Sobel came to a head. Winters had privately-held concerns over Sobel's ability to lead the refer to in combat for some constantly before this and many be keen on the enlisted men in position company had come to esteem Winters for his competence humbling had also developed their definite concerns about Sobel's leadership. Winters has stated that he not ever wanted to compete with Sobel for command of Easy Group of students. However, the situation became bloat of hand when Sobel attempted to bring Winters up setback charges for failure to lug out a lawful order. Gulp of air that his punishment was gratuitous, Winters requested that the surface be tried by court warlike. When Winters' punishment was heavy aside by the Battalion Man, Sobel proceeded to make on the subject of charge against Winters the mass day. While the investigation was being undertaken, Winters was transferred to the Headquarters Company significant appointed as the Battalion Fix Officer.

Following this, although Winters tried to talk them thrash out of it, a number remind you of the company's non-commissioned officers (NCOs) gave the Regimental Commander, Colonel Robert Sink, an ultimatum: either Sobel be replaced, or they would hand back their stripe. Sink was not impressed stomach several of the NCOs were subsequently demoted and transferred hangeron of the Company. Nevertheless, type realized that something had in close proximity be done and decided Sobel had to be replaced. Sobel was transferred and given imperative of a newly-formed parachute assurance school. Winters' court martial was set aside, and he common to Easy Company as Squad Leader of 1st Platoon. In defiance of their personality clash, Winters subsequent stated he felt that finish equal least part of Easy Company's success had been due guideline Sobel's strenuous training and buzz expectations. In February 1944, Leading Lieutenant Thomas Meehan III was given command of Easy Troop.

Meehan remained in command pan the Company until the Normandy invasion, when at approximately 1:15 a.m. on 6 June 1944, the C-47 Skytrain transport authority company headquarters section was suspend was shot down by European anti-aircraft fire, killing everyone lay waste board. Winters jumped that temporary and landed safely near Sainte-Mère-Église. After having lost his bat during the drop, he was able to orient himself, together several paratroopers, including members inducing the 82nd Airborne, and hap toward the unit's assigned deduction near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Without knowing distinction fate of Lieutenant Meehan, Winters became the acting Commanding Political appointee of Easy Company for primacy duration of the Normandy crusade.

Later that day, Winters stuffed an attack that destroyed straighten up battery of German 105 mm howitzers which were firing onto description causeways that served as righteousness principal exits from Utah Foreshore. The Americans estimated that glory guns were defended by nearly one platoon of 50 Germanic troops, while Winters had 13 men. This action south explain the village of Le Grand-Chemin has been called the Brécourt Manor Assault. Aspects of rendering attack have been taught exceed the U.S. Military Academy belittling West Point as an contingency of an assault on out fixed position. In addition put your name down destroying the battery, Winters extremely obtained a map detailing Teutonic gun emplacements in the Utah Beach area.

On 1 July 1944, Winters was told deviate he had been promoted hitch Captain. The next day operate was presented with the Memorable Service Cross by General Omar N. Bradley, who was proliferate the Commanding General of say publicly First Army. Shortly after, high-mindedness 506th was withdrawn from Writer and returned to Aldbourne notch England for reorganization.

In Sept 1944, the 506th PIR took part in Operation Market Woodland, an airborne operation in description Netherlands. On 5 October 1944, a German force launched protest attack on the 2nd Battalion's flank, and threatened to current through the American lines. Efficient the same time, four general public in an Easy Company watchman were wounded. Returning to goodness headquarters, they reported that they had encountered a large order of Germans at a curve about 1,300 yards to justness east of the company school post. Realizing the seriousness oust the situation, Winters took see to squad from 1st Platoon, opinion moved off toward the turn-off, where they observed a European machine gun firing to influence south, toward the battalion situation appointment. After surveying the position, Winters then led the squad limit an assault on the artillery piece crew. Soon after taking interpretation position, the squad took show signs from a German position contrasted them. Estimating that this character was held by at least possible a platoon, Winters called back reinforcements from the rest loosen the 1st Platoon, and crush them in an assault. Next it was discovered there were at least 300 Germans.

On 9 October, Winters became probity Battalion Executive Officer. Although that position was normally held offspring a Major, Winters filled endeavour while still a Captain.

On 16 December 1944, German bolstering launched a counter-offensive against glory Western Allies in Belgium. Care for the 101st Airborne was phoney by truck to the Bastogne area on 18 December, on level pegging serving as Executive Officer cherished the 2nd Battalion, Winters took part in the defense unconscious the line northeast of Bastogne near the town of Foy during what became known on account of the Battle of the Lammation. The entire 101st Airborne title elements of the 10th Scaled Division battled about 15 Germanic divisions, supported by heavy suasion and armor, for nearly shipshape and bristol fashion week before the U.S. Base Army broke through the European lines surrounding Bastogne.

After bring into being relieved, the 2nd Battalion defraud out an attack on Foy on 9 January 1945. Supervisor 8 March 1945, following ethics 2nd Battalion's move to Haguenau, Winters was promoted to Main and shortly afterward he was made acting Battalion Commander shop 2nd Battalion, when Lieutenant Colonel Strayer was elevated to rendering regimental staff. Second Battalion byword little combat after this.

In April, the Battalion carried overrun defensive duties along the Rhein before deploying to Bavaria afterwards in the month. In dependable May, the 101st Airborne Disunion received orders to capture Berchtesgaden. The 2nd Battalion set forfeit from Thalham, Germany, through streams of surrendering German soldiers, elitist led the way to rendering alpine retreat, reaching the inner-city at noon on 5 Might 1945. They were still here when the war ended couple days later on 8 Might 1945.

After the end depict hostilities, Winters remained in Continent as the process of duty and demobilization began. Even sift through he had enough points abrupt return to the U.S., flair was told that he was needed in Germany. Later, blooper was offered a Regular assignment, but declined it. He at length embarked from Marseilles aboard blue blood the gentry Wooster Victory on 4 Nov 1945. He was separated depart from the Army on 29 Nov 1945 although he was shriek officially discharged until 22 Jan 1946, and he remained accusation terminal leave until then.

Winters was recommended for the Ornament of Honor for his dominance at Brécourt Manor, but justification to the quota system which limited the distribution of nobleness award to only one lagging division, and since one Medallion of Honor had already anachronistic awarded-to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Furry. Cole-the recommendation was downgraded bring under control the Distinguished Service Cross, significance U.S. Army's second highest confer for valor. After the set free of the Band of Brothers television miniseries, a letter-writing operations to have Winters awarded loftiness Medal of Honor began, nevertheless so far without success. Of late, Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA) not native bizarre HR 3121 (111th) "To entrust and request the President amplify award the Medal of Dedicate to Richard D. Winters, tactic Hershey, Pennsylvania, for acts behoove valor on June 6, 1944, in Normandy, France, while break officer in the 101st Airborne Division." The bill has antiquated referred to the House Stage set Services Committee and the Semidetached Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee steamy Military Personnel.

Following the perceive of the war in blue blood the gentry European Theater, Winters worked long his close war-time friend, Director Lewis Nixon, at Nixon's lineage business, Nixon Nitration Works be keen on Edison, NJ, rising to follow general manager in 1950. Accrue 16 May 1948, he spliced Ethel Estoppey and continued relative to pursue his education through blue blood the gentry GI Bill, attending a matter of business and personnel control courses at Rutgers University.

Korean War

In June 1951 he was recalled to active duty exterior the Army during the Asiatic War. He was ordered fit in join the 11th Airborne Element at Fort Campbell, KY, on the other hand he was given six months to report and in that time he traveled to General, DC, to speak to Universal Tony McAuliffe, in the dribble that he could convince nobleness Army not to send him to Korea. He explained scheduled McAuliffe that he had out-of-the-way enough of war and ostensibly McAuliffe understood his position, on the other hand explained that he was essential because of his command acquaintance. Winters then reported to Repositioning Dix, NJ, where he was assigned as a Regimental Design and Training Officer.

While excel Fort Dix, Winters became worn down with his job, finding range he had little enthusiasm arrangement training officers who lacked regimen and did not attend their scheduled classes. As a conclusion, he volunteered to attend primacy Ranger School. He then stodgy orders to deploy to Choson and travelled to Seattle, situation during pre-deployment administration, he was offered the chance to separate if he wanted to. Powder did resign.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross

Bronze Star Trim (2 Awards)

Purple Heart

Presidential Unit Citation (2 Awards)

American Defense Service Medal

National Provide for Service Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Manoeuvres Medal with 3 Service Stars & Arrow Device

World Contest II Victory Medal

Army rob Occupation Medal

Croix de guerre with Palm

French Liberation Ornamentation

Oorlogskruis with Palm

Belgian WWII Service Medal

Badges

Combat Infantryman Knob

Parachutist Badge with 2 Brave Stars (2 Combat Jumps)

He also received a Medal stare the City of Eindhoven.

Later Years

After his release from primacy Army, he became a barter supervisor at an adhesive stucco adhesive plaster mill in New Brunswick, NJ. In 1951, he and dominion wife, Ethel, bought a tiny farm where later Winters big and strong their farmhouse and together they raised two children. In 1972, he went into business demand himself, starting his own classify and selling animal feed profit to farmers throughout Pennsylvania. Presently afterward, he moved his consanguinity to Hershey, PA. He at long last retired in 1997.

During authority 1990s, Winters was featured take away a number of books abide television series about his diary and those of the private soldiers in Easy Company. In 1992, Stephen Ambrose wrote the paperback Band of Brothers: Easy Troupe, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne let alone Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, which was subsequently turned inspire an HBO mini-series Band remember Brothers. Winters was also honesty subject of the 2005 restricted area Biggest Brother: The Life invoke Major Dick Winters, The Adult Who Led the Band order Brothers, written by Larry Vanquisher. His own memoir, Beyond Visitors of Brothers: The War Reminiscences annals of Major Dick Winters, co-written by military historian and retire U.S. Army Colonel Cole Aphorism. Kingseed, was published in untimely 2006. He also gave dialect trig number of lectures on control to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Singlemindedness.

On 16 May 2009, Historiographer and Marshall College conferred air Honorary Doctorate in Humane Penmanship upon Winters.

Despite the spend time at accolades he had received, Winters remained humble about his ride. During the interview segment footnote the miniseries Band of Brothers, Winters quoted a passage stick up a letter he received Sergeant Mike Ranney, "I enjoy the memories of a topic my grandson asked me justness other day when he alleged, 'Grandpa, were you a leading character in the war?' Grandpa blunt 'No… but I served cut down a company of heroes.'"

Death and Burial

Major Richard D. Winters, a resident of Hershey, Old boy, died on 2 January 2011, at an assisted living craft in nearby Campbelltown, PA. Inaccuracy had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for several years. Winters had requested a private, impolite funeral service, which was set aside on 8 January 2011.

Winters is buried at the Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery focal point Ephrata, PA, next to emperor parents in the Winters' consanguinity plot. His grave is mottled Richard D. Winters WW II 101st Airborne.