Passing of a hero (RIP Maj Dick Winters).
#1

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of MAJ Dick Winters of 'E'-co, 101st IN (ABN).

He passed away at his home in Hershey, PA. He was 92.


From the AP:
Richard 'Dick' Winters, whose WWII heroics were immortalized in 'Band of Brothers,' is dead at 92

BY PHILIP CAULFIELD
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, January 10th 2011, 12:20 PM
[Image: alg_richard_winters.jpg]
Rauch/AP
Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters in 2002. The story of Winters leading Easy Company during World
War II were chronicled in the book and miniseries, "Band of Brothers."



Richard (Dick) Winters, the Army commander whose heroism during World War II was
immortalized in the book and television miniseries "Band of Brothers," died last week
in central Pennsylvania. He was 92.

An intensely private man, Winters had instructed loved ones not to release news of his
death until after his funeral. He died on Jan. 2 from complications of Parkinson’s
disease, his family said.

The story of Winters and other members of Company E, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne
Division, known as Easy Company, was chronicled in a book by Stephen Ambrose and later
the 10-part miniseries on HBO.

English actor Damian Lewis portrayed Winters as a strong, humble leader who guided his
men through the European theater of the war after parachuting into Normandy on D-Day.

Winters also led his men through a grueling wintertime standoff during the Battle of the
Bulge and was eventually promoted to the rank of major.
[Image: alg_lewis_livingston.jpg]
Winters was potrayed in the HBO series by actor Damian Lewis, left. (HBO)

After the war, he trained infantry and Army Rangers at Fort Dix in New Jersey before
starting a company that sold livestock feed to farmers and settling into a quiet life on
a farm in Hershey, Pa.

The men of Easy Company expressed their admiration for their company commander
after learning of his death.

William Guarnere, 88, said what he remembers about Winters was "great leadership."

"When he said 'Let's go,' he was right in the front," Guarnere, who was called "Wild Bill"
by his comrades, said. "He was never in the back. A leader personified."

"He was a good man, a very good man," Guarnere added. "I would follow him to hell and
back. So would the men from E Company."

Another member of the unit living in Philadelphia, Edward Heffron, 87, said he got
choked up thinking of his former commander.

"He was one hell of a guy, one of the greatest soldiers I was ever under," said Heffron,
who was nicknamed Babe. "He was a wonderful officer, a wonderful leader. He had what
you needed, guts and brains. He took care of his men, that's very important."

The television series was nominated for 19 Emmy awards, and Winters published a
memoir about his experiences in the war in 2006 called "Beyond Band of Brothers."

Writing about leadership to American History magazine in 2004, Winters said, "If you
can, find that peace within yourself, that peace and quiet and confidence that you can
pass on to others, so that they know that you are honest and you are fair and will help
them, no matter what, when the chips are down."

With Wire News Services
[Image: alg_hanks_winters.jpg]
Tom Hanks, who produced 'Band of Brothers,' with Winters at the Emmy awards in 2002.
(AP)
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#2

Rest in peace Cry

Planemad
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#3

I just saw this morning that Major Richard Winters, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne, passed away at the age of 92, on January 2.

Salute and R.I.P.
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#4

S! Easy Co.

I suggest watching Band of Brothers if you have not seen the series yet.
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#5

{HVY-E}Jinxx Wrote:It is with great sadness that I report the passing of MAJ Dick Winters of 'E'-co, 101st IN (ABN).
He passed away at his home in Hershey, PA. He was 92.


I'm very sorry to read this message!

My sincerest condolences to his family and to everybody who knew this great man!

I will treasure his pictures with his autograph signature and his letter I received years ago.
He is an inspiration for every men!

Hang tough and Thank you Major!

S! Jambo
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#6

Just heard trough other channels,

RIP.
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#7

i watched the whole mini-series in one day from the metal box dvd set, it took about 10 hours to watch it was very awesome
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#8

RadPig94 Wrote:i watched the whole mini-series in one day from the metal box dvd set, it took about 10 hours to watch it was very awesome
Wrong thread?
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#9

KG64_Cnopicilin Wrote:
RadPig94 Wrote:i watched the whole mini-series in one day from the metal box dvd set, it took about 10 hours to watch it was very awesome
Wrong thread?

Actually, right thread. The HBO mini-series came out on DVD in 2003. I too have the metal box set. and watch it on occasion. Still an outstanding work. A true calssic.
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#10

US_GRANT Wrote:
KG64_Cnopicilin Wrote:
RadPig94 Wrote:i watched the whole mini-series in one day from the metal box dvd set, it took about 10 hours to watch it was very awesome
Wrong thread?

Actually, right thread. The HBO mini-series came out on DVD in 2003. I too have the metal box set. and watch it on occasion. Still an outstanding work. A true calssic.

He was quite the soldier.
I actually got his autograph on my metal boxed set.
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#11

{HVY-E}Jinxx Wrote:He was quite the soldier.
I actually got his autograph on my metal boxed set.
lucky, it might be worth quite a bit of money
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#12

Everyone speaks highly of Winters.

Band of Brothers must be the greatest war motion picture in history, in my opinion. Think of great ones like Das Boot and take it a level higher.

The book, "Band of Brothers", by WW2 historian Stephen Ambrose is the basis for the movie.

Did you guys know that all of the weapons which appear in Band of Brothers were actual WWII weapons?

Winters worked for honesty in the creating of Band of Brothers, including the tragic atrocities. He had his own act of war which haunted him in guilt - even into old age - included in the movie. Winters had insisted that the major events which effected Easy Company all be told. At the risk of great controversy, the decision was made to include a speech by a German general which was very moving on the hearts of Easy Company, including Dick Winters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an2PNPElFn0

Such is the great courage that they say was common is Easy Company and its leader, Dick Winters.

They were a part of the generation from all the combatant countries who would return home to build a better world for our future.

Dick Winters did his duty and his part with distinction in a war full of many brave warriors.


Salute!


Fireskull
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