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Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership

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After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Major Richard Winters returned to civilian life. He worked for a while for Nixon Nitration Works, the family firm of his wartime friend Louis Nixon. Following a brief tour of duty during the Korean War, he returned to Hershey, Pa., embarked on a successful business career, raised a family and lived the quiet life he had promised himself after his first day in combat on June 6, 1944. In 1992 this solitude was interrupted with the publication of historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s best-selling book Band of Brothers, which brought the World War II story of Dick Winters and Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division — which he had commanded from Normandy to Berchtesgaden — to the public’s attention. The spotlight intensified exponentially when Hollywood’s Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks teamed up to bring Winters’ story to tens of millions in the highly acclaimed, Emmy-winning HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. This mass exposure transformed Winters and his comrades into cultural icons for generations far removed from World War II. They have become the embodiment of millions of American servicemen who marched off to war as ordinary men but achieved extraordinary things.

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Faced with his newfound fame, Winters seized the opportunity to continue to lead and instill in others the lessons about leadership he learned in the life and death crucible of war. It was Ambrose who, after chronicling Winters’ story, impressed upon him that his leadership ethics could inspire all generations.

Major Dick Winters: After Band of Brothers became such an unexpected success, Ambrose wrote me a letter of thanks. In that letter he said, ‘Thanks for teaching me the duties and responsibilities of a good company commander.’ Later on, he again acknowledged me in his book on Lewis and Clark. He continued to do this with every book he wrote afterward. I appreciated that recognition, and I appreciated the fact that he never forgot me. I was one of the first people he called when he said that he had sold the book to Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

Ambrose later wrote me another letter and said that in the future, whenever I had an opportunity, I should talk on the subject of leadership. So, as a way to deliver what I believe is an important message, and to honor my friend’s request, I speak on this subject whenever I have an opportunity.

Winters’ first opportunity to lead came in 1942, when he completed Officer Candidate School and began his journey to Easy Company and war.

When I first joined the Army I took a series of tests to see where I would best fit. I scored high enough that I qualified for Officer Candidate School [OCS]. While I was at OCS at Fort Benning, Ga., I applied for the airborne, a new thing that looked like a challenge. I had always enjoyed sports and physical activity, and there was a certain appeal to being with the best. After graduating from OCS, I reported to Camp Croft, in South Carolina, where I was busy training new men. I had been at this for about 13 weeks when I got orders to report to Camp Toombs in Georgia. On the way to the camp I was pretty unsettled. I took Highway 13, passed a casket factory and reported in at Camp Toombs. There was not much there, and I was assigned to a tar-paper shack. There were no windows in any of the buildings, and the only place with electricity was the latrine. This was rough. But you were expecting to have it rough if you were going to be in the parachute troops.

Training started right away, and there was this Currahee Mountain that we had to run up and down. It was wicked, a real killer. But Currahee was terrific, as it became a test for all the men and officers. Everyone had to run up it — walk actually, in what we called the ‘airborne shuffle.’ It was equal for every man, every officer. Nobody was getting by with a thing. Everybody was being treated the same.

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  1. 39 Comments to “Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership”

  2. I always learn a lot whenever I ready any article related to Mj. Dick Winters! I like Easy company members dead or alive. I like Band of Brothers movie, in fact I have watched it more than 20 times. I give respect to Mj. Dick Winters for his professional leadership skills! take an example like at the Cross Roads battle, running ahead of his men!! I learnt from you where you said with yr words that “If you are a leader you lead the way!! I salute to you Major!!

    By Gervas H on Jul 1, 2008 at 2:24 pm

  3. This year, at my request, my partner got me the BofB DVR for my birthday. I had already watched the series 3 times, but knew this was a movie I would never tire of. It goes down deep– a movie so rich, it’s like a symphony with perfection and depth in every single note. Every time I see it, I find myself immersed more and more in their world. I thank everyone who helped to make it part of mine.

    By stephanie la fortune on Jul 8, 2008 at 6:37 pm

  4. I knew Maj. Richard Winters from the mini-series BoB and was inspired by his leadership. I give my greatest salute to you Major and all the Easy Company men, either still alive or already passed away.
    Major Dick Winters, a true leader. Not to stand behind the other men and let them advanced by themselves, but to really be in front of the line together with his people.
    I give you my sincerest salute Major.
    I salute the man, not the rank.

    By Yohannes Jatmiko on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:21 am

  5. Maj. Richard Winters . Is one of many reasons why I wanna join up for the army. I also believe that he deservers the MEDAL OF HONOR. He lead E company through things we can’t even think about. When I join up for the Army I want a leader just like Maj. Richard Winters. I also salute you Major!

    By Youjen Chang on Aug 1, 2008 at 12:10 pm

  6. Like many others I have watched BOB several times and my respect for the men who served in Easy Company grows with each viewing. I am also upset that some sites seem to be trying to white wash Captain Sobel. This is like someone trying to whitewash Judas for what he did to Jesus Christ.

    By Richard Cooley on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:36 pm

  7. Hi. i love this page cuz i’m only 12 years old and i am doing a report on Dick Winters. I just love that he went to war and faught for our country. I think he had so many accomplishments. bye.

    By Stephanie Wagner on Sep 20, 2008 at 6:13 pm

  8. Hi iam doing a research on Sgt.Bill Garnier and was woundering if you could help me with it because I can’t find any thing about him

    By mathew stith on Sep 22, 2008 at 8:35 am

  9. Always i was addicted to world war 2 movies and when i saw “band of brothers” and maj winters portrait i found myself amazed by his personality and leadership in the battlefield, all my regards to him

    elie from lebanon

    By Elie on Oct 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm

  10. Watching the series for the 6th time and as always I come away
    with great respect for those brave men. God bless them every one.

    By Bill Giffin on Oct 26, 2008 at 3:37 pm

  11. I have watched BofB so many times I just finished the series for
    the 4th time just 30 min ago every time i watch it it makes me
    want to join the army more and more and if i do mj winters i hope
    one day i could be a reflection of your historic image in my life
    you have shown me a new meaning of respect and dedication and
    to stand up for what you believe in.
    I love the part when the guy said how many wifes get a wedding
    present from hitler.

    Major Winters I solute you

    By Nicholas Buford on Nov 3, 2008 at 1:31 am

  12. It’s never easy to be such a good leader under such extreme
    environment more than 60 years ago. I admired Major Winters
    guts and also his capability to gives solutions.
    I will hope to meet him to know more. Please send my regards to
    him and wish him best of health.

    Alex (Singapore)

    By Alex on Nov 10, 2008 at 7:42 am

  13. i never was into war movies and since im a 16 year old girl thats
    probably not uncomon but i fell in love with band of brothers and
    major winters and everyone in the 506 101st airbourne ! it made
    me so much more appretative and i think they are really special

    By hannah on Nov 17, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  14. Major Dick Winters is an inspiration to us all. He epitomizes the citizen soldier. I did not watch Band of Brothers when it first came out because I just could not bring myself to watch these brave young men die. Eventually, I stumbled across it one night and before I realized what I was watching, I became hooked on the story of “E” Company and the comraderie those men shared and still share. God’s blessings to you Dick Winters. Thank you for leading the way and sharing your story. Perhaps, we will learn from them one day.

    By Shelia on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:54 am

  15. I would love to tell you about the strangest thing that has happened to me! On the anniversary of D-day, this year (2008) the picture we have…Silencing the Guns…fell off the wall and the frame and glass shattered. It had no reason to fall! The nail hole and wall were perfectly in tact.
    We have told many this story and it raises the hair on your arms to think of this happening on that fateful day!!

    By James Stellema on Nov 29, 2008 at 8:51 pm

  16. i just cannot get enough of ban of brothers dick winters is a true hero as they all are. i would like to tell all of them thanks for everything and god bless them all.it was the best true story with a bunch of true heros i’v ever watched

    By robin cedrone on Dec 1, 2008 at 4:14 pm

  17. HI I AM DOOING A PROJECT ON MAJIOR DICK WINTERS AND I WAS WONDERIN IF YOU COULD HELP WITH GETTING INFORMATION.THANKS!

    By JUSTIN RICHARDS on Dec 11, 2008 at 1:54 pm

  18. sevgili komutan sizinle ilgili filminizi defalarca izledim 10 larca defa size hayran?m.sizinle tan?smak onur verecektir eger bu yaz?m? okuyup tercüme ettirirseniz cevaben bi?iler yazarsan?z sevinirim sayg?lar sevgiler huseyin /tekirdag /turkey

    By huseyin on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:12 pm

  19. Having served in the Navy and the Army, I appreciate all things military. I’ve lost count of how many times I have watched the Band of Brothers mini-series. Along with so many others, I really grew to respect the men of Easy Company, and especially the leadership of Major Winters.
    Imagine my surprise, when, in my 50’s, I was back in the military again, serving in Iraq from 2007-2008. I was the assistant OIC (officer-in-charge) of my section when my OIC was re-assigned to a training position and I became the OIC . I determined then that my goal was to take care of my soldiers in the same manner that Major Winters had done. Major Winters, to me, is what leadership is all about. I thank God for men like him.

    By Seng Young on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm

  20. I just finished the viewing of the blu ray version of BoB. Visually stunning ,but not that much over the regular dvd version. The entire series is very emotional. Dick Winters is true hero and defines the heroic nature of the effort in WWll. Muliple viewing of the entire story is necessary to get a total appreciation of the story and the production of the HBO min series.

    By Dennis Sulam on Dec 22, 2008 at 9:49 am

  21. I too own the DVD set of the Band of Brothers. From the first time I saw it on television years ago I fell in love with it. The soldiers from the WW2 era were gallant men. Everytime the series is shown on cable I sit through each episode. In fact, I can’t step away from the TV. I’m so proud of Winters, Nixon and all of the soldiers portrayed in the series. God bless them for all they lived through.

    One thing I must say–Winters, Nixon, et al You are heroes!
    By the grace of God you survived and came home to share your battle stories. I do have an appreciation for what you endured. I am thankful for the freedom you have preserved for me here in the USA.

    By Laura J Skadsen on Dec 28, 2008 at 7:59 am

  22. I went to a WWII conference in Kingston, NY in October 2005. I had the unbelievable honor of sitting at a table with three medal of honor winners from WWII.

    There were three or four E Company veterans there as well. Talking with all those hero’s was an experience I will never forget. Watching BoB was an education that every American child should receive before they leave high school.

    I live in Riverside, CA near the National Cemetery. I visit the Memorials there and when I go to the Medal of Honor Memorial, I can’t for the life of me figure out why Major Winters name is not on the wall.

    We Americans (and the rest of the free world) owe Major Winters and every other WWII participant a debt that can never be paid. They are all hero’s, the likes of which we will never see again.

    God Bless these men, alive or dead. Everyone should thank God for allowing us to have some of these very special men still with us. Take the opportunity to sit and talk with them whenever you can. You will walk away with a renewed pride in your country and you will be in awe of their deeds.

    By Brent Whitehead on Dec 31, 2008 at 1:28 am

  23. Like a previous poster I too, a New Zealander, avoided watching BoB when it aired on TV, though for different reasons. I too started watching when it was replayed, more or less by accident. Within a very short time I was absolutely captivated. This story should be compulsory viewing for anybody outside of the US who has been led to believe that the US troops contribution to WW2 was that they were overpaid, oversexed and over here. This story demonstrates how very disciplined and brave these young men were and some mothers loved son just like every other participant in this terrible conflict. And although I do believe that Easy co and 506th were special, the same sort of thing was happening in regiment after regiment after the US entry into the war. I am now watching it again on DVD and intend getting my own copy of this as is such an important story it should never be forgotten. Americans, you can be very proud of your country’s contribution during this terrible time. Dick Winters you are a remarkable man and an inspiration.

    By Mary O'Connor on Jan 2, 2009 at 7:08 am

  24. MAJOR D.WINTERS (LEGEND) THIS IS A WORD USED BY MANY BUT APPLY,S TO FEW WHICH AS IN YOUR CASE A TRUE LEGEND LEADER OF MEN NEVER THOUGHT OF ASKING ANYONE TO DO A MISSION HE WOULD NOT DO HIMSELF. TO MANY OF US WHO CAN ONLY READ ABOUT WW11, P.I.R 506 KILLED IN ACTION OR ALIVE YOU ARE HERO,S . GODBLESS

    By christopher gathercole on Feb 3, 2009 at 4:02 pm

  25. I want to personally thank Major Winters for his service to our great country.

    My connection to Major Winters is as follows. I served with
    “B” Company 2/506th 101st Airborne from 1966-1967.

    The spirit of Currahee was as strong then as it is now. We owe this to Major Winters, the men of Easy Company and all the rest of the men that made up the 101st Airborne. It is your courage, pride, honor, and devotion to country, that every soldier has had the privilege of serving in the 101st Airborne, sets his or her standards today.

    I have had the honor of meeting many members of this elite group that jumped into Normandy on D-Day. They are the most humble men that I have ever met.

    There is not enough space to express my personal thanks to these fine men.

    God Bless You and all of the rest of the Airborne Troops that died and lived during World War II.

    Currahee,

    Gene H Langenberg
    Corona, CA

    By Gene H Langenberg on Feb 8, 2009 at 10:33 pm

  26. Dear Sir, You Sir,Major Winters are a true Hero. I would like to thank you and all WWII Veterans that your sacrafices and selflessnes efforts during such a defining time in the American history. Has truly given people like me many a years of relative peacful and prosperous life. May God give you and your wife many more healthy years of life. Thanks.

    By Gary Todd on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:35 pm

  27. Dear Major Winters
    I would like to thank you and the remaining members of easy company for the courage that you all showed to the world of your campaine through Europe , since i was bourn in April of 1947 i did not know anything about the war,only knowledge through films that i have watched .and bits of information from my late dad who fought at Monte Casino and El Alamain each and every man did his job on land sea and air ,but through the film A Band Of Brothers ,i will never forget the gallentry shown by you and your men past and present.Sir thank you once again be sure to give all of the best to all concerned from the above named and the rest of England.

    By BARRY BAKER on Feb 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm

  28. THE GREATEST GENERATION WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. WE OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO MAJOR WINTERS AND HIS BAND OF BROTHERS THAT CAN NEVER BE PAID. WE HONOR THEM AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN WILL ALWAYS BE INSPIRED BY THEM.

    By jacqueline gagliano on Feb 27, 2009 at 5:29 am

  29. A stunning mini series, I would follow Major Winters to hell and back. Having, my self Been a leader of an engineering maintenance team,
    I have learnt some of the lessons he has taught and would of been a better leader if I had seen the series earlier and possibly of read his story then. Truely a great American if not a true leader of mankind. Warmest regards from an admiring KIWI

    By James Cockerill on Feb 27, 2009 at 10:01 pm

  30. There is not a day goes by when I do not think of Dick Winters and his battalion and what they did for me. David Fraser, Oxford

    By David Fraser on Mar 30, 2009 at 11:05 am

  31. I have viewed BOB series at least 12 times since I recieved it as a gift. I constantly read any and all books I can find regarding Easy Company. As I watch the series I can’t help but wonder: where do men like Easy Company come from? Thank God for their devotion to this country and to each other. Major Dick Winters is their leader but Easy Co. chooce to follow him and his example. God bless them all. May they find or have peace the rest of their days.

    By Dick Bard on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:04 pm

  32. I have tried to study leadership all my life, both in the life insurance business and via sports having been a life insurance manager for many years and having had a baseball schlorship to Vanderbilt…..through the Million Dollar Round Table i was exposed to some of the finest leaders in the world but when I came across The Band Of Brothers I was spell-bound by these men’s courage and disapline and love of country and love for peace and humanity as well as their loyality to eachother……and as I read more and more about Major Dick Winters on the internet I began to realize just how natural of a great leader of men he was and is……but I am MOST IMPRESSED by reading the comments of all of the people in here who obvisiouly ” GET IT “…each of ‘you” who have commented in here obvisiouly understand and respect the great lessons taught to all of us by ALL of the Band Of Brothers about loyality to your country and loyality to your military brothers and the tremendous courage it takes to serve in our military…please remember that there were MANY ” Band Of Brothers” soldiers in WW 2 ( and every OTHER war America has fought in ) that exercised just as much courage and loyality and disapline who did not serve in the 101 and/or Easy company but in units just as important to the war effort…..millions of these incredable Americans…and as great a leader Major Dick Winters was and is, there were many more officers and sgts etc who exercised amazing unselfish and brave leadership as well….Dick Winters has shown us that the great principles of leadership never change and can and should be used by ALL leaders in ALL positions of leadership….I agree 100% with the person who said Band of brothers should be shown to our young people in highschool….i would argue that it should be shown once a year to all our kids in highschool in the 10th -12th grade….ALL young kids should be exposed to the concept of leadership IN AMERICA…..to the young man who hopes to serve under a leader like Dick Winters when he joins the military i would like to say to him : dont LOOK for a leader like Winters….YOU BE a leader like Winters so you can help MANY soldiers yourself and so you can expose many soldiers and people to Winters great leadership principles….and as far as the Medal Of Honor for Winters…..there were THOUSANDS of other soldiers who should have won it also..but didnt…tens of thousands….how about all our young flyers in those B 17 s who knew the odds were WAY against them completing 25 missions but kept going up any way…and all our sub guys and tank guys etc…..those who didnt win that medal did not go to war and do all of those amazingly brave things to win individual medals…they did them to help their country and to help their buddies next to them….they rest easy…every one of them….their country won the war and saved the world and their buddies knew and know that each did their duty….thats all they need…and when they see each other at get-to-gethers and hug eachother and shake hands or when people like us say “thank you ” to them…thats all they need….every time i see a soldier in uniform i personally go up to them and thank “them “…….Mark Bode

    By Mark Bode on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:44 am

  33. To Maj Winters,Guarnere,Malarkey,Randleman,and all E/506. I salute you.Hope I get to meet you and thank you.Your legend lives forever.

    By Joey Gaera,Papua new Guinea on Apr 26, 2009 at 2:12 am

  34. WOW!!… their are so many ppl that see from one tv series “Band of Brothers” that no matter what kind a situation is brought apon OUR country, how close soldiers,officers,NCO’s, get in war time. i take my hat off to all the easy company soldiers and the rest of the 101 on what they did in ww2… I also like to add that MAJ Dick Winters should be recieve the CMOH.. He should have gotten it long be4 this documentary came out.. but hey what can we do right.. I also wish their were more officers liek MAJ Winters in our military today.. HOOAH!!!! SGT Gandar US Army Infantry

    By SGT Gandar Mark A on May 16, 2009 at 7:16 pm

  35. I would like to give a big thanks to MJ.Dick Winters and his comapany for there sacrerfices, bravery and true leadership skills. True heros! I would also like to give many thanks to all of the other allies that did not have chance to get recognised for there efforts.

    The band of brothers was amazing. I think its brilliant to have films that help depict factual ww2 films.

    thanks Jamie Norgate

    By Jamie Norgate on Jun 7, 2009 at 8:58 am

  36. I have all the books and the DVD and still watch BofB every time it’s on History Channel. I want to thank all of you for fighting for our freedom during WWII! I was a little girl during those years, just starting school, but I was aware men and women were fighting for all of us. It made me proud! With Stephen Ambrose’s first book about all of you, the war became more personal than ever!
    Thank you all!

    By Barbara May on Jun 10, 2009 at 1:55 pm

  37. Major Winters is the personification of why his generation is rightfully called the Greatest Generation.

    By Markus on Jun 21, 2009 at 3:53 pm

  38. It’s unfortunate, thanks in part to the politics of Mr Speilberg, Tom Hanks, and others likeTom Brokaw, that America is now a nation of cowering pussies.

    By Bill on Jun 22, 2009 at 12:00 am

  39. In the off chance Major Richard Winters ever reads these comments. I just wanted to say “Thank You”.

    Far from where you live, in a place you may have never been, resides a man who deeply admires the man you are.
    I’m sure that like any man, you have your flaws. But on your worst day, I am confident your a better man than most are on their best.

    If men like you, led this country, we would not be in the situation we are now.
    Thank you for your profound sacrifice.

    By John Lerke on Jun 22, 2009 at 7:14 am

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