My friends, we recently lost a true hero and I apologise I was not here until now to address it. Major Richard "Dick" Winters, commander of Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division on D-Day has passed away at age 92 only days before what would have been his 93rd birthday.
Anyone who watched HBO's legendary successful mini-series Band of Brothers is familiar with the story of Maj. Winters, who as a lieutenant and 2IC of Easy Company jumped into Normandy to find himself promoted due to the loss of his commander's plane. Winters commanded his troops behind the German lines at Utah Beach near Sainte-Mère-Église. He positioned any paratroopers that remained to eliminate several monstrous Jerry artillery guns that could have thwarted the invasion of Utah Beach. Despite being recommended for the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross due to an insane quota system that prohibited anyone in his unit from receiving the medal again. His supporters at http://www.majordickwinters.com/ have been calling for him to be retroactively awarded the Medal Of Honor, but the always humble man himself never endorsed it.Captain Winters commanded the company through Operation: Market Garden and The Battle of the Bulge before finally capturing The Eagles Nest and some of Hitler's most prized possessions. He left the Army in '46 as a Major but served in the Korean War later.
Was it not for Stephen Ambrose’s 1992 book Band of Brothers and Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks production of a series with the same name, Maj. Winters story, and that of Easy Company may largely have been forgotten. Were it not for his own historical accounts which helped make these projects what they were, they may never have had the impact thy did. The Major died Jan. 2 in Campbelltown, Pa., from Parkinson's. An intensely private man, Winters had asked that news of his death be withheld until after his funeral.
'When he said "Let's go," he was right in the front,' said fellow soldier William Guarnere, 88.
8 comments:
Helluva Guy, after reading Band of Brothers, I took to asking myself what would Dick Winters do?, whenever I faced a tough decision. Eventhough he has passed on he remains an inspirational figure to many people he never met. Rest in peace.
I wish I and others were alot more like him. Rest in peace.
Colonel, no comment on Biffo's pathetic party politics victory? Do you think the economic bunglers known as FF will survive the vote of no confidence called for by labour last week?
Colonel, ah the classic head in the sand defence, if you cannot observe the demise of your beloved party then it is not happening, how very quantum of you.
Colonel, Poke, Poke, Poke!, C'mon fight back.
lil' bitch Mr.V?
Colonel, you're drinking buddy Biffo has finally stepped down as leader if Fianna Fail but still refuses to give up the reigns of power, I formally demand you carry out a military coup to stop the fat fool doing anymore damage to the country and a once great political institution. He must be taken care of, with extreme prejudice. C'mon what's it going to take to get the tanks out on the streets?, I'm willing to make you Minister of Justice in my new order, what do you say?
aha the greens have fled to their demise, now Fine Fail have have destroyed 3 parties (PDs /Green / FF)
Well said Dahar, well said.
Now Colonel, will you finally give up fighting the politics of the civil war and comment on the politics of the current day, the sad relegation of our country from sovereign nation state to Germany's economic bitch?
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