RIP Major Richard 'Dick' Winters

[i_got_a_mohawk]

This happened just over a week ago, but I only heard today (search didn't show any threads, so apologies if there was one).

Commanded the real 'Band of Brothers' through some horrific sights, not many well known heros of that generation left these days.

Originally Posted by Washington Post

Dick Winters, a decorated Army officer whose World War II service was recounted in the best-selling book and HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers," died Jan. 2. News reports listed his age at 92.

Based on the 1992 book by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, the HBO mini-series came out in 2001 and was produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

The story follows the tragedies and triumphs of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, E Company.

To Mr. Winters, these citizen-soldiers came to be known as the men of Easy Company -- paratroopers who jumped into combat on June 6, 1944 above Normandy, France.

According to Ambrose's account, Easy Company suffered 150 percent casualties throughout the war.

One of the soldiers who served in Easy Company, David Webster, once wrote that among his colleagues the Purple Heart "was not a decoration but a badge of office."

Mr. Winters, who separated from the Army at the rank of major, and his men fought together through D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge and later occupied Adolf Hitler's mountainside retreat, the Eagle's Nest, near Berchtesgaden.

A charismatic officer who led by example, Mr. Winters received the Distinguished Service Cross, the country's second highest decoration for valor, while conducting combat operations on D-Day.

Mr. Winters led a small group of men on a raid of German cannon emplacements near Utah beach on Normandy's coastline.

While taking out the heavily fortified bunker, Mr. Winters and his men killed 15 German soldiers and took 12 more as prisoners, helping to save countless American lives from the withering cannon fire.

Later in the war, one of Mr. Winters's soldiers, Floyd Talbert, wrote a letter to the officer from a hospital in Indiana expressing gratitude for his loyalty and leadership.

"You are loved and will never be forgotten by any soldier that ever served under you," Talbert wrote to Mr. Winters in 1945. "I would follow you into hell."

For Mr. Winters, his soldiers were his Band of Brothers and their experiences together in the war "created a bond between the men of E company that will last forever."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/pos...i-hero-co.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Winters

[Staccato]

RIP Major Winters.

I read his book during the holidays. What a man! This is the first time that I've heard the news of his passing, thanks.

[stratovani]

The Greatest Generation has lost another hero. I'm glad some of them are able to commit to print and film some of their wartime experiences - lest we forget.

RIP, Major Winters.

[pica]

I love Band of Brothers. Watch it most every time it's on. Sorry to hear of Major Winters passing.

[ThisisCraigP]

It must have been cool to see all the changes that had happened to the world while he was alive.

[sloasdaylight]

My dad told me this when I got home from work today. Maj. Winters was a real American Hero in my mind, one of many who made the Greatest Generation what it is.

[MIJ-VI]

I'd expect that there were many great fighting men amongst the victorious Allied nations in World War II (otherwise the war's outcome may have been different).

To me what distinguishes the efforts of individuals like Major Richard Winters is that he made the time to chronicle the events which he and his men experienced, and in doing so, has provided subsequent generations with a gut-wrenching glimpse into those times which one can more easily related to than the grand overviews of WW 2 which are portrayed on TV and often taught in history classes.

R.I.P. Major Winters and thank you for sharing that which many of your brothers-in-arms found too painful to share.

[superfunk47]

Even though he lived a long, admirable life, its still a shame to hear of his passing. Rest in peace, Major. One of my very few heroes.

[Bevo1995]

RIP Maj. Winters.

[coldfoot_luke]

I had the opportunity to go to the D-day memorial in Bedford, Virginia last year. I had seen the series, and after going to the memorial, read the book. It's amazing how much they suffered and endured. The world has one less man of true integrity and courage.

Edit: I highly encourage anyone in the west part of Virginia to spend an afternoon at the D-day memorial. It's an amazing place, very sobering what they went through, but very inspirational that men can survive and overcome what they did.

[Riverrunsred]

Wow, sorry to hear about the Major's passing. I absolutely love Band of Brothers. A true hero.

[machine gewehr]

Man it's like I know him already.He wasn't a hero only for Americans but the whole mankind.RIP.

I should watch the series soon to honor all the heroes...

[Hutzbordello]

depresssinnnng i loved history when i was younger, esp WWII

and this guy was pretty much a badass

[John D@508]

RIP!

[Randall]

Band of Brothers was a great series. I loved how they talked to the "real" soldiers at the end of each show. Great man. RIP.

[Big_Daddy]

I got shivers reading this.

Rest In Peace.