Major Dick Winters discussion.

[Mike Abberton]

Particularly as someone who has never served in the armed forces, I would not begrudge any service member, especially one who served in combat, his just and due rewards, I can't help but feal that this petition has benefitted greatly from his exposure in the Band of Brothers mini-series. In fact, the middle section of the petition reads like a episode listing from the mini-series.

A question for consideration: In most Medal of Honor cases I have read about, the recipient is being rewarded for his actions as an individual, not really for being a capable and efficient leader of others. Does Major Winters have such an event in his service history?

The Brecourt Manor action certainly seems like a well-planned, well-executed assault on a defended position, but it was hardly a one-man operation. From the mini-series, I would say the most likely example of individual heroism would be when he leads the company in an attack from a embankment. In the episode (ep. 4 maybe), Major Winters jumps up first and launches forward, but the company hesitates. For a few moments, Winters is alone running across the field.

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear what you all think.

Mike