Richard “Dick” Winters was born on January 21,1918 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
He attended the Franklin & Marshall College and graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of science in economics. In August 1941 Winters enlisted in the Army and after basic training he attended the Army Officers Candidate school. It was there he met Lewis Nixon, and that was a start of a lifetime friendship.
He volunteered for the paratroopers and was assigned to “E” Comp. 506th PIR.
Lt. Sobel was the Commander of the Company, Winters did not get along with him very good.
After Paratrooper training, Winters and the 101st Airborne Division, were deployed to England in September 1943, prior to the Invasion of Europe.
Richard Winters stayed with the Barnes family in the little town of Aldbourne. He kept in touch with them, even years after the war, until they passed away.
On D-Day, he landed in occupied France without gear and weapons because, as many other troopers, he lost his leg bag.
Later that day, after collecting a weapon and some “E” Comp. troopers, he got orders to eliminate a battery of German 105mm guns, at the Brecourt Manor, who was firing at the landing troops at Utah Beach.
He and his men successfully completed that mission. Later he was awarded the DSC(Distinguished Service Cross) for that action.
He also became Commander of Easy Company, after Lt. Meeham was MIA.
He proved to be a true leader, respected by his men. Like many Easy Company veterans quoted: “ we would follow him, blind folded”
He distinguished himself again as a true leader during the Market Garden campaign in Holland, leading a front attack with a small number of US troopers against approximately 200 Germans on the “Island”.
Shortly after, Colonel Sink promoted Winters ( by that time Captain) to battalion Headquarters. A job, Capt. Winters accepted with mixed feelings. He wanted to stay with the boys in the field.
Even during the siege of Bastogne, Winters was able to lead his men and keep the moral high, even under severe conditions.
Later, in the Elzas area, Winters was promoted by Colonel Sink to Major. That was also the rank he retired with.
After the war he worked for Lewis Nixon at the “Nixon Nitration Works” and married on May 16 1948 with Ethel Estoppey.
He moved to Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he started his own company, selling livestock food to farmers. He moved to a farm and had a nice and peaceful life, which he had promised to himself and to God after surviving the first day on D-Day.
Major Winters proved to be a true leader during and after the war.
His “10 principles to success” is still used in military & civilian leadership and in management training.
One of the principles is:
Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.
Major Winter passed away on January 2nd, 2011 at the age of 92.
He was one of the “Greatest” men of the ” Greatest” generation.
HANG TOUGH!
Author Ivan Heytens
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Winters Richard D. - 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment - Easy Company
News has come to us of the passing of major Richard D. Winters.
Here a quick note of Linda from the Major Dick Winters website.
Nieuws heeft ons bereikt van het overlijden van majoor Richard D. Winters.
Hier het bericht van Linda op de Major Dick Winters website.
"Dear friends, I regret to inform you that Major Winters passed away earlier this week after a long illness.
Please do not contact the Winters family and respect their privacy.
Mrs. Winters will release the news to the public shortly.
That is all info I have for now dear members...I'm still recovering from the news"
by Linda Cautaert on Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:27 pm
More information click here (only Dutch)
Website Major Winters click here
Susquehanna Valley Native Maj. Dick Winters Dies
REST IN PEACE
During the interview segment of the miniseries Band of Brothers, Winters quoted a passage from a letter he received from Sergeant Mike Ranney, "I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"
May you rest in peace, Major. Thanks for everything you gave us. Thank you for your service We will always be gratefull. Have a safe landing, Sir!
Link tot para research Team click here
New New click here for a movie "Tribute to Major Winters"
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