Major Dick Winters, RIP

The venerable leader of "E"asy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Major Dick Winters passed away on January 2, 2011. His book was part of the inspiration for the HBO series "Band of Brothers".

“His leadership example both on and off the battlefield will continue to inspire ‘Screaming Eagle’ soldiers for years to come,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Seiber, a spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, currently deployed to Afghanistan. “His principles for success on the battlefield are timeless, as they are as critical today in Afghanistan as they were on ‘Fortress Europe’ during World War II.”

Winters talked about his view of leadership for an August 2004 article in American History Magazine.

“If you can,” he wrote, “find that peace within yourself, that peace and quiet and confidence that you can pass on to others, so that they know that you are honest and you are fair and will help them, no matter what, when the chips are down.”

When people asked whether he was a hero, he echoed the words of his World War II buddy Mike Ranney: “No, but I served in a company of heroes.”

“He was a good man, a very good man,” Guarnere said. “I would follow him to hell and back. So would the men from E Company.”

When called upon Dick Winters served in a high and selfless manner. Truly a Great American. Condolences to his family and friends.

Soft and safe to thee......