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Richard Winters
- 4. Letting go of what is dear
- “I am extremely happy to put the army behind me… and I am a different
man that I was when I joined the army more than four years earlier” (255).
His military experience is one defining factor in his life, and Winters would
not have it any other way.
- “We came back as better men and women as a result of being in combat, and most would do it again if called upon… but each
of us earnestly hoped that it would never happen again” (292). The events he and many others had to endure were some that
no individual should go through. But sometime during those experiences Winters found out that someone has to endure it so others do not.
- “I grabbed my M1 and moved out… I had only taken a few steps when I decided that my job
was to lead the battalion, not the company” (185). Winters wanted to save his comrades, but
that was not his job anymore. His job was to lead the whole battalion, not a single company.
Originally, Winters despised the military. Now, Winters was willing to abandon his safe post to
save his men. But Winters knew he had a more important job, so he had to stay behind. Going
against his original instinct in order to help his men even more is something that Winters
would not have originally done when he signed up for service in 1941.
- “I am extremely happy to put the army behind me… and I am a different
man that I was when I joined the army more than four years earlier” (255).
His military experience is one defining factor in his life, and Winters would
not have it any other way.
- 1. The minimum required
- “It was my intention to serve my time, and then be free of my commitment” (6). Winters wanted no part in the military, but if he had to, he would do it quick.
- “Rather than having the draft interrupt a promising business career, I immediately volunteered for the U.S.
Army” (Winter 6). Winters originally joined the military as a way to free himself as quickly as possible, not to
actually help in the war effort.
- “Volunteering for military service was merely the quickest way to rid myself of compulsory service” (6) .
Simply put, Winters was not invested in the war, and felt no need to contribute other than to remove himself
from the draft.
- “It was my intention to serve my time, and then be free of my commitment” (6). Winters wanted no part in the military, but if he had to, he would do it quick.
- 2. What needs to be done
- “Don’t tell me it is someone else’s fault. Just get the job
done!” (37). This quote shows how Winters just wanted
the job to be done, he did not permit any deviation
towards failure.
- “Easy Company’s mission was to silence the battery… (84). The mission was given to
him, and he completed it as textbook as possible.
- “I worked hard and did my duty as I should” (64). Winters simply did what
he was told and nothing else.
- “Don’t tell me it is someone else’s fault. Just get the job
done!” (37). This quote shows how Winters just wanted
the job to be done, he did not permit any deviation
towards failure.
- 3. To keep his comrades alive
- “I found life on battalion staff extremely boring in contrast
to commanding Easy Company… I can no longer let myself
become involved in a firefight” (153). Winters knew he could
no longer directly keep his friends alive. He would rather put
his life on the line to help his friends than sit in some comfy
post doing paperwork.
- “Toye told me ‘I want to go back with the fellows.’ I knew he should
not be on the line, due to his injury, but I so admired his devotion to
his squad that I stepped aside” (178). Winters devotion to his
Company inspired the men so much that they themselves modeled
Winters courageous behavior.
- “Colonel Sink, who was observing the attack, turned and hollered, ‘what are
you going to do, Winters?’... ‘I’m going’ I yelled and I grabbed my M1 in order
to get Easy Company moving again” (185). Winters could easily tell anyone
to go out instead of himself, but he knew his leadership was what kept
people alive, so he risked his life once again to save others.
- “I found life on battalion staff extremely boring in contrast
to commanding Easy Company… I can no longer let myself
become involved in a firefight” (153). Winters knew he could
no longer directly keep his friends alive. He would rather put
his life on the line to help his friends than sit in some comfy
post doing paperwork.
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