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Winters, Richard Dick

Date of birth:
January 21st, 1918 (Lancaster/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:
January 2nd, 2011 (Palmyra-Lebanon County/Pennsylvania, United States)
Service number:
0-1286582
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Besides his World War Two related decorations he also received the National Defence Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal and was he entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Orange Lanyard and the Fourrageres for the French and Belgian Croix de Guerres for having been a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

Portrayed in the tv series "Band of Brothers".

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
1st Lieutenant
Unit:
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
July 1st, 1944
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. First Lieutenant Winters with seven enlisted men, advanced through intense enemy automatic weapons fire, putting out of action two guns of the battery of four 88-mm. that were shelling the beachhead. Unswerving in his determination to complete his self-appointed and extremely hazardous task, First Lieutenant Winters and his group withdrew for reinforcements. He returned with tank support and the remaining two guns were put out of action, resulting in decreased opposition to our forces landing on the beachhead. First Lieutenant Winters' heroic and determined leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944).
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
With the awarding of Major Winters, all other allied soldiers are honored the helped liberating the city of Eindhoven and surroundings so also those belonging to the E company of 506th Para Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne DIvision.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Second BSM awarded in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the frist BSM.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
For actions at the European front during the Second World War.
Good Conduct Medal - Army
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with three bronze campaign stars and a bronze arrowhead.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
For the ending of the Second World War.
World War Two Victory Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with two combat stars.
US Army Parachute Badge

Sources