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Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership| American History | 23 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post 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.
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. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, American History, Historical Conflicts, Historical Figures, People, World War II
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23 Comments to “Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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