World War II Honoree

Richard 'Dick' Winters

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE JOINED THE ARMY IN 1941 AND APPLIED FOR OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AND GRADUATED A 2ND LIEUTENANT IN THE INFANTRY. HE THEN VOLUNTEERED FOR AIRBORNE TRAINING AND GRADUATED AS AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF 'EASY COMPANY' (COMPANY E) OF THE 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT. HE BECAME LEADER OF EASY COMPANY AFTER THE NORMANDY LANDING AND GRADUALLY ADVANCED TO GERMANY UNDER SEVERE HARDSHIPS AND NUMEROUS CAUSALITIES. HE ALSO SPENT A BRUTAL WINTER IN BASTOGNE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. EASY COMPANY WAS AMONG THE FIRST SOLDIERS TO ENTER HITLER’S EAGLE’S NEST, HIS MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY AT BERCHTESGADEN. HE RETIRED AS A MAJOR.