Dick Winters

Dick Winters (1918-2011) was an American war hero and the subject of the book Band of Brothers. He served in the US Army during World War II and was the commander of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division.

Winters was born in Pennsylvania and attended Franklin and Marshall College on a football scholarship. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was eventually selected to join the 506th Infantry Regiment. The 506th was an experimental regiment composed of bold, independent-minded soldiers who jumped out of airplanes as paratroopers.

Winters was quickly recognized as a leader by his superiors and in 1943 he was promoted to captain. In June of 1944, he and the rest of Easy Company parachuted into Normandy, France in advance of the Allied invasion. There he commanded his men in the successful taking of the strategically important town of Carentan. Winters' display of courage and resourcefulness earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.

Winters went on to lead his men in various battles as part of the Allied push through France, Belgium, Holland and into Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, Winters was awarded the Silver Star. His actions at Foy, Belgium included propping up his men's morale and helping them exhibit remarkable courage in the face of superior numbers.

Winters was the subject of Steven Spielberg's HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, which recounted Easy Company's combat experiences. In 2003, US President George W. Bush sent Winters, by then a retired major and a living legend, to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Winters' story of courage, dedication and loyalty to his men is an inspiration to many. As a leader he was calm but firm and had a profound impression on the soldiers in his charge. He believed that leading by example was the way to get the most out of his men. Winters refused to take credit when the missions of Easy Company succeeded and demanded only excellence from them.

In 2005, Dick Winters was featured in the documentary The Real Band of Brothers. This documentary again highlighted Winters' bravery and heroism as well as his humanity, humor and commitment to service. His story and leadership have been immortalized in the various movies, books and documentaries that tell his story.