Erik Dorr - Hang Tough: The WWII Letters and Artifacts of Major Dick Winters

Advance Praise for
Hang Tough

Stunning! This thoroughly researched and intimate work by Erik Dorr and Jared Frederick, complete with many never-before-published photos and color plates featuring personal artifacts, is a must read for anyone interested in the life, character, and leadership abilities of Band of Brothers hero Major Dick Winters.

Larry Alexander, bestselling author of Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers

Ever since the public became aware of Dick Winterss exceptional leadership, there has been endless curiosity to learn what made him great. Winters left us a legacy of thoughtful and eloquent writings, in both his diary and correspondence. Erik Dorr and Jared Frederick have edited those words into this informative compilation. The book demonstrates that equal parts of courage and intelligence defined Major Winters as a warrior and an exemplary leader of paratroopers. This presentation is enhanced with color photos of Winters memorabilia, currently displayed at the Gettysburg Museum of History. Perhaps we have not seen the last of books on Dick Winters, but it is unlikely that this one will ever be surpassed.

Mark A. Bando, author of six books on the 101st Airborne Division in World War II

Hang Tough provides powerful insight into Dick Winterss military career, meaningfully integrating World War II artifacts now on display at the Gettysburg Museum of History. Following his exciting epic through Europe, from Normandy to Germany, the book skillfully shares the stories of Major Winters that have inspired so many.

Michel de Trez, founder of the D-Day Experience Museum in Normandy

What a compelling and absorbing book. Dick Winterss letters shed fascinating light on his character and motivations, greatly enhancing our understandings of one of Americas most iconic World War II heroes. Expertly edited and framed with a highly knowledgeable contextual narrative, Hang Tough offers perspective and detail of one soldiers extraordinary wartime career.

James Holland, bestselling author of Normandy 44: D-Day and the Epic 77-Day Battle for France

A PERMUTED PRESS BOOK

ISBN: 978-1-68261-917-9

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-68261-918-6

Hang Tough:

The WWII Letters and Artifacts of Major Dick Winters

2020 by Erik Dorr and Jared Frederick

All Rights Reserved

The authors are grateful to Major Dick Winters for granting approval for broad use of his letters before his passing. Winters wanted future generations to know the details of what he and his comrades endured in defense of their country. The Gettysburg Museum of History, from which a copy of these letters resides, disclaims ownership, but rather retains non-exclusive use of the letters for the purposes of ensuring the historical record is accurately conveyed.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Permuted Press, LLC

New York Nashville

permutedpress.com

Published in the United States of America

Wars do not make men great, but wars sometimes bring out the greatness in good men.

For DeEtta

Table of Contents

Foreword
by Bradford Freeman
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division

Introduction to the Letters
By Richard D. Winters
1996

S ixteen million Americans served in uniform during the Second World Warone out of every eight citizens. Scores of veterans meticulously documented, preserved, and revisited their wartime journeys for the benefit of posterity. One such figure was Major Richard Davis Winters of the 101st Airbornes 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Born January 21, 1918, in the rich agricultural belt of southeastern Pennsylvania, his placid upbringing did not portend the destiny of distinguished soldier.

In certain respects, Dick Winters bears similarities to American Civil War legend Joshua Chamberlain. As the firstborn sons of pacifist mothers, they were imparted the virtues of self-reliance, introspection, and education. Introverts in their youths, they overcame certain insecurities via higher learning. They were driven by an undying motivation to grow and surpass expectations. When the United States confronted its greatest challenges, both eagerly sought to lead men in battle. Neither possessed formal military education, but both committed themselves to self-study and advancement. The two officers conducted themselves with great poise in the iconic clashes of their ages. Like thousands of fellow field officers, they contributed to morally driven causes of liberation. Both rest eternally under surprisingly modest headstones adorned with tokens of appreciation.

The greatest commonalities are indicated by postwar legacies. Although Chamberlain and Winters followed different career paths (academic and agricultural, respectively), the years in uniform served as the definitive episodes of their lives. Seemingly reserved in dispositions, the Mainer and Pennsylvanian energetically maintained ties to their wartime associations. Their fascinating tales of courage under fire captured the imagination of accomplished writers whose works, in turn, were adapted into wildly successful Hollywood productions. Chamberlain and Winters transcended the status of historical figures and entered the pantheon of popular imagination. The actions of each came to symbolize the struggles of a generation.

Band of Brothers , the far-reaching HBO miniseries that cemented Winterss fame, debuted a mere two days before the September 11 attacks. Parallels were inevitably drawn between past and present. According to the Los Angeles Times , The series, while thanking the generation before, helped settle and inspire the one ahead.

The film depicted troops who were resilient and stuck together. It was a powerful message to a nation trying to overcome something like 9/11, observed Col. Eric Kail, a combat veteran and West Point professor. Great strength is not from ourselves but from each other, he added. Thats a message soldiers have been trying to get out for a long time. Winters was an evocative conveyer of that message.

Among those embodying the majors example was Pfc. Andrew Collins, who completed basic training at Fort Jackson in the spring of 2007. Collins, who repetitively absorbed lessons from Band of Brothers in his high school years, actualized such insights. Being able to think on your feet and remain collected garners a certain amount of respect. But its not always your first instinct, Collins admitted. When a certain moment called for action, I sometimes wondered, What would Dick Winters do? That philosophy served me well. Before I knew it, I was a confidant for comrades seeking advice. It seemed strange at age twenty-one to have soldiers younger and older than me seeking my guidance. As I reflect, I recognize Dick Winters as one whose attitudes I tried so hard to emulate. Collins maintained that mindset as a sergeant during a tour of duty in Iraq. The miniseries that inspired him remains a popular go-to for service members at home and overseas.

One phrase exemplifies the Winters mantra more than any other: Hang tough. The simple expression, with which he often concluded correspondence, epitomized his chief ethic. That means you do your best every day, he claimed. If one abides by this philosophy, no day will be squandered. Though not commonly used during the war itself, the encouraging motto became Winterss byline later in life.