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Subscribe to RSSMajor Dick Winters passed away Jan. 2 in central Pennsylvania following a battle with Parkinson's Disease. If you've read Stephen Ambrose's book or watched the HBO miniseries, you'll likely already have mental pictures of Winters' acts of heroism during harsh fighting in Europe during the Second World War. This is what he looked like in 1945:
Courtesy of Sgt. Maj. Herman W. Clemens, Ret. / AP file
Easy Company's William Guarnere, 88, told the AP today: "When he said 'Let's go,' he was right in the front [...] He was never in the back. A leader personified."
Winters told his own story in 'Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters,' and begins his first chapter by describing the "quiet peace" he says every soldier wants to find:
I am still haunted by the names and faces of young men, young airborne troopers who never had the opportunity to return home after the war and begin their lives anew. Like most veterans who have shared the hardship of combat, I live with flashbacks--distant memories of an attack on a battery of German artillery on D-Day, an assault on Carentan, a bayonet attack on a dike in Holland, the cold of Bastogne[...] If you had a man who was killed, you looked at him and hoped that he had found peace in death. I'm not sure whether they were fortunate or unfortunate to get out of the war so early. So many men died so that others could live. No one understands why.
To find a quiet peace is the dream of every soldier. For some it takes longer than others. In my own experience I have discovered that it is far easier to find quiet than to find peace. True peace must come from within oneself. As my wartime buddies join their fallen comrades at an alarming rate, distant memories resurface. The hard times fade and the flashbacks go back to friendly times, to buddies with whom I shared a unique bond, to men who are my brothers in every sense of the word. I live with these men every day.
To see and hear Winters describe the heroism of Easy Company in video, click here. To watch Winters describe Easy Company's Brecourt Manor assault on D-Day, click below:
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A sad farewell to a very brave man
Truly an American hero. I Salute him and all the brave men that he fought with.
my deepest condolences to the family , america has lost one of its heroes,and a good man.
ever since i watched band of brothers i siad i would really like to have met mr winters for he truly was a man's man
mr winters and the rest of easy company are true american heroes who some paid with there lives so we may have the freedoms we have today, i wish i had men like these i could call my friends
All that I am and all that I can be is built upon these men's sacrifice. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough!
Rest in Peace, Major Winters.
Hopefully, the sacrifices that he and the rest of the greatest generation made will never have to be made again.
I like many was inspired by the movie "The Band of Brothers". However, some of the most inspiring parts were the interviews of the actual veterans. I always found the quiet dignity of Major Winters remarks to be truly inspiring. It was very easy to see why his men respected and admired him so much. RIP Major Winters.
It appeared that the men who followed Major Winters held a great deal of respect for the man. If I knew nothing else about him, that would be enough for me to give him great respect and consider him a great man and a good person. But, we do know more about him don't we? We know how he felt about his men, the war and we know what he felt about peace.
God bless and God's speed Major Winters. May you find that fullness of peace you were looking for.
Major Winters, you are truly an American hero & you are also a great example of what makes America great. Thank you & all Americans of your great generation for all your sacrifices. Rest in peace Major Winters.
The most heart felt THANK YOU, Major Winters. And thank God for people like you and the family who raised you to be the man you were. You and those who served with you made remarkable sacrifices to keep our country and the world safe. God bless you.
A great soldier passed away. I salute you !
Greeting from nothern Germany
Torsten Sengeisen, SGM German Army
My brother Eugene Allen Huckaba served in the 506th, which was commaned by Colonel Red Sink. My brother spoke of Dick Withers with profound respect. I can't understand how rough it must have been at Bastogne in the winter. My brother didn't talk about the war much. I think he didn't understand how he made it back alive. So many brave young men gone. God bless you Dick Withers.
Yes Maj Winters was an american, Yes the served in the the US Army but he was a hero of the world. Easy Company and Maj Winters fought for the rights and freedom for everyone on lands afar. To that I say the world has lost a great man and so many before him and those who sadly will follow,
Semper Fi Major. Rest is peace.
May Saint Michael greet you with your entire fellow Paratroopers and find your peace. Airborne! All the Way!!!
I feel a great loss, NO SLACK to the Currahee! Bill was a great soldier GLORY, GLORY>
Puddle duck - Those same sacrifices are being made daily by the young women and men that are currently serving. They will need to continue to preserve the freedoms we enjoy (and so many take for granted).
I fell in love with the "Band of Brothers" story. The heroism, the bravery, but especially the comradirie. As C. Carwood Lipton quoted: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me, Shall be my brother; be ne'er so vile". These men personified this quote. A great hero through and through has gone to happier and peaceful pastures. Thank you Major Winters!!
It is with profound respect and admiration we celebrate the life and leadership of Major Dick Winters. Which of us will step up and replace him?
The world needs more people like Maj. Richard Winters. He is a true inspiration for how a person should carry themselves and live their lives. He was always the first one in... Never sent someone to do it for him. Very sad day, but I hope everyone could live a life as rich as his.
Truly a great officer and a humble man. His honesty, willingness to lead by example and lack of guile should be an inspiration to all of us.
MAJ Winters was from the stuff great officers are made of...especially the ones NCOs would follow anywhere, and without hesitation. God Bless MAJ, and rest in peace with the rest of Easy!
Having never served and influenced by "The Band" I believe this is a black day indeed! My father was my hero and never knowing Major Winters personally.............I am crying as I type as I did for my father. Mr. Winters and men like him can never be repaid for the sacrifices they made so that we may enjoy the freedom of today. Rest in Peace Major you will never be forgotten!
I lived in the town next to Major Dick Winters. I have always wanted to see you ever since i saw Band Of Brothers. You are a brave man. Your not dying along. We all have died somehow in our hearts from your passing. I am hoping to join the service in two years. I'm not only joining because it is what i want to do, but also for men and women like you. If I do make it to the service it will be for every man and woman that has fought for America. I am proud to be an American. Thank you sincerely for everything you have done.
Well said young Zach, you make me proud.
Having read the story of the Band of Brother while riding on the USS John C. Stennis in the Indian Ocean a couple of months after 9/11 the story of Easy Company became my favorite wartime story. I was equally eager to watch it when I heard a movie was being made.
The story is the only one I can watch over and over again drawing inspiration and understanding of what some of the true hero's of the "Greatest Generation" had to endure.
Taps have been played and you, Major Winters, and the rest of the Easy Company men will NEVER be forgotten. Thanks for your inspiring leadership in the face of overwhelming circumstances and odds.
I salute you Sir!
My prayers go out to him and his family. Thanks for your service to our nation. Rest Easy now with your brothers from Easy company! Dave Gettens USMC FDNY
It is hard to comprehend the great life that Major Winters had and the amount of benefits we all received from his leadership. It is amazing that he and his generation were involved in such a noble self-sacrificing cause that included among its central principles, freeing others from tyranny.
Yes, sleep well with your Easy Company comrades and your family's members that have crossed over the threshold. I honestly hope that our Nation will one day be able to field another generation that matches the contributions made by Major Winters' generation. God Bless You! Rob Bowers
My biggest hero. God speed Major Winters. We will not forget.
RIP Major Richard Winters
What an incredible man, soldier, friend, and leader. Reading his story and the watching it in Band of Brothers was a true inspiration. He is the type of person that I aspire to be. He really was a true hero. Him and all of the brothers in Easy Company. It is sad to see such an amazing person leave this Earth, but I know he is resting peacefully in the hands of God. God bless Richard Winters.
As a student of WW2, I salute and honor Major Winters and all who served with him. We lost a man of exceptional caliber, and continue to lose these fine men rapidly. If you get a chance, thank a vet and shake their hand. It's the least we can do for these brave people. R.I.P. sir.
Major Winters sir, thank you for your service. You were one of the greatest of The Greatest Generation. Peace now be yours and for the many men like you.
This man's story has touched so many lives. We never tire of re-reading the book or watching the mini-series over and over again. God speed Major Winters and I'll be hearing from you as I read your book again with admiration and thanks. As a young person I can only say that I personally thank all of you for the life and freedom we are aforded. I promise not to take it for granted all that "you band of brothers" have done for me.
Rest In Peace, Major Winters. Thank you for your sacrifice.
We are losing some of our greatest hero's at an alarming rate. Too often they are forgotten or become just footnotes in history. Most do not want the status of "hero", but they deserve our love and admiration.
Some of these old people that fought in the second world war are the same people that are so often Ignored by our government. Old soldiers should not be forgotten.
My sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his brothers in arms.
They led the way for us to follow!
Major Winters and the men of the Band of Brothers were truly part of the "Greatest Generation." their efforts helped save the world from the evils of the Third Reich and the Japanese empire.
Thank you.
You are so right Joe.....God's speed Dick & thank you for your service...
To Major Winters, and all members of the "Greatest Generation", THANK YOU!!
Well said.
A sad day indeed, God Speed Major!
My first knowledge of major Winters and his men was in HBOs mini series "Band Of Brothers". My favorite parts were at the begining and end when one of the actual men who were there would comment on what had actually happened in those scenes. It really made me feel as though I knew them and was connected to the story.
Thank you Major Winters for your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your men so that we have the freedom that we have today. God Bless and keep you.
Each time I watch or read "Band of Brothers" or "The Biggest Brother", I am amazed at how one man could affect the lives of some many for the better. It's good to know real heros do not have to be sports stars or entertainers, but quite, soft spoken people who touch the lives of many for the best.
This is one true hero that will be truely missed.
Godspeed, Maj. Winters.
god bless you maj. dick winters. thank you, thank you ,thanks to all of the wwii men & women. kevin mclaren
Farewell to a great American.
Band of Brothers changed my perspective on not just the veterans of World War II, but on all veterans. I'm sad to see him go.
Rest in Quiet Peace.
A true hero and a great Pennsylvanian.
A true American. We have a lot of males in this country but very few men. Major, you were one of those men. If only people today could see the difference between real men and males. This country needs more men and fewer males.
HOOAH!
Amen to that one. We have been so privileged in this country since these men have preserved our freedom from foreign rule. We definitely have a couple of generations of males with no idea what it means to be an integris man. Pity when it takes something like a world war to build men. BRAVO to a great american hero in Major Winters!! He will never be forgotten.
These pathetic gang-bangers think they are so tough fighting over drug turf. They have no clue, no honor, and no legitimacy as men or Americans. They provide nothing for their fellow men nor anything to advance the cause of humanity. In many ways I'm glad that so many of the "Greatest Generation" didn't live to see this side of the country they were fighting for.
My Father and the rest of that generation will forever have my respect and thanks for their courage and sacrifices. Rest In Peace Major Winters.
God bless all our military heroes. Have a good journey, Sir, you earned it.
One of Americas great men. RIP.
From one paratrooper to another... ALL THE WAY SIR!
And from another....Airborne Sir.....RIP
At last, a story on someone who actually earned and deserves being admired and respected. Well done Major Winters, well done.
THANK YOU SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless Major Winters and all who served. It is because of them we are even alive today and NOT speaking a foreign tongue from a land not our own.
Thank you Major Winters for all that you did for us. I'm sorry I never got to say that when you were alive, but you and the men of Easy Company will always be alive for me when I watch "Band of Brothers".
My thoughts and prayers go with your family and any of the remaining members of your "Band of Brothers".