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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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May he rest in peace. A true military hero. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Rest in Peace Major Winters. The WW2 vets are very special. My dad is a Navyveteran of WW2, who survived his ship being torpedoed. Thankfully, he is still with us on this earth. I served with many brave soldiers in Iraq and fortunately all in my company made it back.
I watched the "Band of Brothers" series and to this day, I truly believe we can never say thank you enough to all the men and women who served and died during this dark time in world history. May you rest in peace Major Winters. I thank you. You were the "greatest generation".
Rest in GODS Peace,Major
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I been watching Band of Brothers on DVD. Maj. Dick Winters is liked by all of his troopers. He is a HERO in my book. R.I.P. Maj. Dick Winters.
To all of the great men of the 101st and all of the men who served in that terrible war with much appreciation and admiration THANK YOU!
I wrote several of the men who were featured in the Band of Brothers series, thanking then for their service to our country........Shifty Powers and Dick Winters were two of them........They all responded with a letter or postcard back......God bless all of them......They are true American heroes!
We in Hershey, Pennsylvania knew Major Winters as a gentleman and neighbor. Our Historical Society features his private collection of records and notes which underline his reluctance to recognize only the heroism of Easy Company soldiers. He consistently praised all those who fought to preserve our freedom. We will miss our friend and neighbor. Rest well, Dick and "Hang Tough".
WELL DONE, Major!
Hand... Salute.
From a retired "Jar Head" Major to Maj. Dick Winters U.S.A. - Rest in Peace sir, job well done, mission accomplished.
Thank you Major Winters and the rest of the men who fought for us then and now. It's hard to hold back the tears and think about how devastating of a loss it is that we lose so many of you daily. I want you all to know that I was born in 1980 and am now 30 years old with my own 6 year old daughter. Your impact was not lost on my generation and will not be lost with future generations because we will teach our children about your heroism and sacrifice. Every time I see a veteran out in public me and my 6 year old daughter thank them for their service. As I sit here typing this my 6 year old daughter is on my lap looking at the picture and video of you Major Winters! You will always be cherished!
A great abd humble man has fallen.
RIP My Brother in Arms
may he now enjoy the peace he truly deserves. god bless and thank you for all you have done for us.
A very sad day indeed. Major Winters was an iconic role model to follow both in war and in peace time. The world surely needs more men and women like him. Farewell Major Winters. God Speed. I'm sure you will be missed by many. RIP in the knowledge you lived well and changed our lives for the better.
Nothing but blue skies airborne - ATW
Thank You Major Winters for your Service, you were truly one of the greatest generation. I hope you have found your quiet place. I wish I could of known you.
RIP, Maj. Winters. You were a true inspiration not only to your men, but to all those who learned of your exploits through 'Band of Brothers'. You and all of the other WWII veterans are my heroes and I will never forget you.
Incredible man, incredible series, incredible journey.....one of our contemporary leaders and heroes......you will be missed.
Rest in peace. Thank you from a grateful nation.
You will be missed Sir.....rest in peace.
May Major Winters rest in peace. May we never forget the bravery and sacrifice of Major Winters and so many others. My deepest condolences to his family.
My deepest gratitude to you and the "Band of Brothers".
May you rest in Peace.
To a man who made an excellent series even better thank you & rest in peace
One of the greatest of the "greatest generation." Thanks for your heroism and bravery. Your band of brothers in heaven awaits you! Oh, the stories they are going to tell each other ---- happy trails, soldier!