Richard “Dick” Winters, WWll Army commander whose heroism during the D-Day Invasion was immortalized in the book and television miniseries “Band of Brothers” died January 2, 2011 of Parkinson’s disease in Hershey, PA. He was 92.
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 Dr. Stephen Ambrose and later the 10-part miniseries on HBO.
Major Winters was a strong, humble leader who guided his men through the European theater of the war after parachuting into Normandy on D-Day. He also led his men through a grueling wintertime standoff during the Battle of the Bulge. The men of Easy Company expressed their admiration for their company commander after learning of his death. Bill 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.” Another member of the unit living in Philadelphia, Babe 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.”
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.”
At Major Winters request, funeral arrangements are private. A guestbook can be signed online at www.VeteransFuneralCare.com
A great man, a great leader, greatly missed RIP. Condolences to the winters family
Steven Millward
Much Wenlock
Shropshire
England
Thank you.
If it weren’t for you we’d be speaking German and goose-stepping through life.
The “Band of Brothers” miniseries was very moving to me. I have watched it many times. It helps me in my work with Veterans and their families to remember what they did for us. To use Maj Winters words “respect I can’t describe.” Rest in Peace. “Curahee”
We owe you a great debt. Thank you.
Thank you to all those who gave so much for this great land. Thank you to the families for sharing them with us. RevLinda
The passing of Major Winters has left an enormous void in many of our lives. He epitomized everything good about being American. His selfessness,courage,and humility are attributes to which we all should aspire in his honor.
A true American Patriot who will be missed. His lessons in leadership are timeless.
Very Respectfully
Lieutenant Colonel Gregory F. Lester, Battalion Commander, 5TH Battalion 108TH Training Regiment, United States Army Reserve
It is men like Dick Winters, why we call them the greatest generation and he was a true humble leader of men . What courage–may we all learn from his example
A man for all of us to admire and learn from. He will be missed.
Anyone who puts the well-being of others ahead of him or herself is a hero in my book. Maj. Winters was a hero. He played an important part in saving the world. Thank you and God bless you Maj. Winters.
I think he was a very special person and I enjoyed his book and the mini series Band of Brothers.
I’m deeply saddened by Mr. Winters passing. I am also deeply appreciative of Major Winters service and sacrifice on my behalf. I fully realize the extent of his service as my father served during WWII with the 99th division in the European Theater.
I know that, as a God fearing man, “Dick” is with previous loved ones and the other Men of Easy Company. They will never be forgotten as their extraordinary service & duty is chronicled in movie which will live forever.
I pray the family members are graced, through God, with the many happy memories that must be theirs. I can only guess, given his leadership abilities, that he is now preparing a place for each of you in the paradise that God promises each of us upon our passing to be with him.
May God continue to bless your family and the world is a better place because of your father and others like him.
Bruce Larson
800 White Stone Quarry Rd.
Bowling Green, KY. 42101
The mini-series, Band of Brothers, drove home the point that their unselfish sacrifices and herosim will surpass generations. These men Are The Greatest Generation. Sincere condolences to the Winter family.
Respectfully,
The Slater Family
A great man,and leader.He was the backbone of his regiment and I can’t express in words the respect I have for the gentlemen.Paratroopers never die,they fly like angels to the sky,and rejoin there comrades in arms,fallen for freedom and brotherhood..
Greetings from Belgium
I’ve had a great respect and admiration for Major Winters, and Easy Company, from seeing him many times on History Channel. My father was also among the “Greatest Generation”, and they did indeed change the world. To all the veterans, past and present, I say, Thank You.
On behalf of a grateful veteran – I watched the real you re-count the stories of your experience for my benefit, as you would otherwise have remained a quiet warrior, like most true professionals are, and I wanted you to know that it affected me in a good way as a leader, and I passed that on, and so you will live in in the warriors that continue our lineage from Adam and Eve until – well, for now, as each of us join you with God our Father in heaven – after that I do not know – I have my faith in God that I know, and that is enough, as it was for you. Goodbye, my blessed fellow warrior – I have tars of grief at my loss, but also tears of joy for you.
I’ve always had a great respect and admiration for Major Winters and Easy Company,too. RIP… Major Winters, you are a true hero. You’ll be always remembered!
I am forever grateful for the courage, humility and compassion with which Major Winters lead his men in WWII. He will always serve as the finest example of what it means to truly be a “leader” in whom his troops could have the utmost trust and loyalty. My condlences to his family on the loss of this beloved man.
Ne desit virtus, Major Winters. May you rest in peace and watch over the remaining 101st soldiers currently deployed.
True heroes are those who put that greater thing in life above theire own life. The experience, the horror and the lost off them selves and that off theire comrads is what they have carried for the rest off theire life. Now its time to let that go, to find that rest, butt to keep the respect from all off those where you have give your life for.
An American Soldier and Respected leader of soldiers. Major Winters will be missed, by all who knew of him, but never forgotten. The lessons He provided and examples he set in Leadership and respect describe the Army Values we adhere to today. Rest in peace Major Winters – Very Respectfully SGT David Powell
A true American hero, his service, leadership and dedication to the United State Military was remarkable. May God bless his family and thanks “Dick” for your service.
God be with you Sir. Your selfless actions have triumped the definition of what it means to be a true born leader. You will not be forgotten.
Rest In Peace … Major Richard Winters !!!
You are a true America Hero !!!
You will be always remembered …
CURRAHEE !!!!!!!!!
To the family of Major Winters…this man’s career makes me proud to be an American. His was truely a life well lived.
major winters was a true gentlemen,a person who cared for all his men. always had a kind word to say and he truly meant it. he was truly a leader with courage.. god bless major dick winters and his family.. ” I salute you.
May he be at peace with Lord and having fun with friends gone on before him.
Dear family and friends, unfortenatly the news of the passing of Major Winters reached me last week. Although i never met this remarkable man in person, i feel a bit lost with yet another great man lost..Major Winters reminded me of my grandfather that unfortunatly passed away far to soon. I read articles en the book of Major Winters and have a deep and sincere respect for the man he is. I wish you all strenght, courage and wisdom with this great loss. Just keep in mind that Major Winters touched a lot of hearts, not only during WWII but still…
With kind regards,
Rik Chorus
The Netherlands
We are thankful for leaders such as Major Winters for allowing us to have the freedoms we so often take for granted. I hope he was able to find the peace he sought after the war; he and his men will always be looked upon as heroes
Sir,
Your heroism and bravery is an inspiration to me. I wish that I could have met you or any of your men for that matter. Being a Combat veteran myself I can only hope to lead my men half as good as you did yours. You are a true testament to the warrior spirit that drives us all. We love you and from on NCO to an officer I stand and salute you SIR. YOU ARE MY HERO!
I had the pleasure of meeting the major on several occasions. His message on why we fight, his philosophy on leadership, his unwaivering patriotism and his humility in the eyes of his Maker are all one needs to live a full life as an American, period.
Our feelings.
We are a Brazilian Veteran Parachutist Group, Porto Alegre city, Rio Grande do Sul, State, Brazil.
Next Jun 06 we are going to Saint Mére Église, Normandie, France.
We would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Winter’s Family.
God Bless!
The Leonard Family
May Major Dick Winters rest in peace and never be forgotten. You truly are a hero and an inspiration to myself and thousands of people all over the world. Condolences to the Winters family from Stephen McKenney in Canada. RIP
He finally made the great jump. May he rest in peace.
Mayor Winters su hisoria en la guerra es un ejemplo de liderazgo y humildad que todo buen hombre debe imitar. Ha dejado un legado que no solo quedará en la mente de sus compañeros de batallas, sino en la humanidad entera. Honor y Respecto a la memoria del Mayor Richard Winters (Dick)
My deepest sympathy to the Winter’s family!
Maj.Winters was one of the many who realy made a difference during WW2.
PS:Don’t worry about his medal of honor for it is locked up safely in many many hearts!!!!
We can never repay you for the sacrifices you and your men made. It is because of men like you, that we can live our lives. You truely are my hero. Thank you for making this world a better place and I hope you may rest in peace.
Thank you to all those who gave so much for this great land. Thank you to the families for sharing them with us. May herest in peace !. From 2 very gratful and thankful Australians. Garry & Les
Born 20 years after your struggle to make the world a better place for a future generation, I cannot express the gratitude I and my generation feel for you and your generation, who sacrificed so much for us. You have been, and will continue to be, an example to me how to live a life and serve humanity. May you rest in well deserved peace with your fellow comrade in arms!
Lars
Major, Royal Swedish Army
Rest in peace Major Winters. Thanks for all you and your fellows gave to us. God bless your family!
Rest in peace. You have done enough for us in Europe, enough for us and so we can live safe, far away from those fear that you and yor men saw every day.
Carl
When a hero leaves this world, because they need in the afterlife.
My greatest condolences to the family and Winters all due respect to this great man who gave it their best to save the world from tyranny and oppression, I remember in the documentary Band of Brothers: his grandson asks him, would grandfather you were a hero in the war?, and with that simplicity itself answered: No, but I served in a company of heroes.
Rodrigo Barria Abello
Thank you for our freedom and way of life. Your greatness makes you live forever. Here in Belgium we will keep honoring you till the end of times.
Wherever you are, Mr. Winters, you always will be a hero and in my heart.
I never had the chance to meet you but no need to do it to admire you.
Hopefully one day I will have the chance to meet you and fight with you.
Rest in piece.
I must have watched this series countles times. Each time admiring this man and how he led his men. I am a 20 year veteran myself, and I am humbled to be able to enter a few lines in his guest book. Soldiers today could learn what leadership is about in trying times as well as easy times. God bless him.
To the Winters Family,
I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the lose of a great man. Since the release of “Band of Brothers”, I have gained the most respect for the men of Easy Company, especially for Mr. Winters. He, along with the rest of the company, are the true definition of hero. May God bless you. I will continue to share the story of Easy Company with my students. I will keep the spirit of Mr Winters alive.
A Great man, I salute you as one Scout to another.
Rest in peace and thank you God bless
God bless you Mr. Winters My daughters and I love you for what you did for us. We will see you some day and look forward to meeting you
I will allways remmber winters for the rest of my life.he inspired me to do better with my family and to go about in life.for mr.winters famely sorry about your lost my love and pray will allways be rt hare
I will allways remmber winters for the rest of my life.he inspired me to do better with my family and to go about in life.for mr.winters famely sorry about your lost my love and pray will allways be rt hare
Thank you good sir…for everything you have done. Rest in peace, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
for Mr. Winters and family thank yuou for your dedication and sacrifices, i know that my family and I live a better life because of you and all the other WW2 vets. from toronto canada
Admiracion y respeto…
Thank you for your service on the European battlefield.
May you rest in peace, the peace that you and others fought for in the 506th PIR, Easy Company. CURAHEE!!
Having grown up in the Air Force (my father fought in the Pacific front on A B-29 as a navigator and retired in 1964). I have watched the Band of Brothers too many times to count, but I feel like Major Winters was probably the best leader any unit could have (whether in the European or Pacific fronts). He must have been an extraordinary individual, and I’m glad to know he found his peace in PA as he wanted.