I regret to report that Richard "Dick" Winters has made his final jump - he has passed away on January 2, 2011 after a long illness; Major Winters had suffered from Parkinson's disease for several years. A quiet and humble man, Winters received a level of fame he wasn't used to after HBO turned the Stephen Ambrose book Band of Brothers into an acclaimed mini-series in 2001.
Winters served as an officer in the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Easy Company. As a Lieutenant on D-Day, Winters led a successful assault on German artillery battery, consisting of four 105 mm howitzers, at Brécourt Manor. By taking out these guns, Winters and his men made it easier for Allied troops to land at Utah Beach. Winters' superior officer, Colonel Robert Sink nominated Winters for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but the award was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross as a result of a policy of only awarding on CMOH to any single division for the events that occurred on D-Day.
Winters went on to earn the rank of Major before Germany surrendered in 1945.
Winters was 92 years old.
As the Major would say - Hang Tough!
For more information on the Major, the men he served with, and efforts to get him awarded with the CMOH - CLICK HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment