The American people deserve to know about the real "Heroes" in the world. At America Fighting Back we want to know about those men and women in our military that have gone "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty". Some have paid the ultimate price. In many cases they have put the lives of their fellow comrades above their own personal safety. We want to hear these stories. They are the fabric that "Freedom" is cut from. Send us newspaper articles, citations or personal accounts. Send to wot@americafightingback.com
Major Richard (Dick) D. Winters 21 January, 1918 - 2 January 2011 Company Commander "E", 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division World War II Portrayed in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" by Damian Lewis.
Major Winters World War II
Major Richard "Dick" Winters
Portrayed in "Band of Brothers by Damian Lewis
Richard 'Dick' Winters died on 2 January, 2011 in Campbelltown, PA. His home was Hershey , PA.
Major Winters fought at Normandy (D-Day). He was part of Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and he was with 101st Airborne at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross for destroying three German 88's under fierce resistance. He later received the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart, too name a few.
Battle of Bastogne
All that can really be said when we lose men like Major Winters is "Thank God" that we still have men and women willing to fight and die for an idea - That grand experiment started in 1775. Men like Major Winters can never be replaced.
Major Winters grandson: "Grandpa, were you a Hero in the War?"
"Grandpa said no - I served in a Company of Heroes........."
Major Winters and all World War II Vets are still OUR Heroes.
'Dick' Winters your work here is done - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED........ (Rest in Peace)
Thanks to Kent Mitchell for passing the word.....
Lieutenant Vernon Baker, U. S. Army (Medal Of Honor) Died 13 July, 2010 at his home in St Maries, Idaho. He was 90 years old. Lt Baker was the most highly decorated black soldier in the Mediterranean Theatre with the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the Italian Cross of Valor of War and the Polish Cross of Valor.
Every Friday, at America Fighting Back, we will honor one of the 'Real American Heroes'. They didn't score the most points in history, they didn't steal the most bases in a game, they didn't have the largest box office in history, they didn't hit the top of the charts, they didn't win the Super bowl, World Series, NBA finals or the Stanley cup. They did die or risked their life fighting for our country ensuring that the Flame of Freedom is not extinguished.........
(Update: Petty Officer, Second Class Monsoor was laid to rest in 2006. In Honor of Petty Officer Monsoor we are reprinting this email, because the author of the email is right. most Americans didn't even hear about his burial or his actions.
Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer Mike Monsoor:
I BET YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS
IN THE NEWSPAPER OR ON THE 6 O'CLOCK NEWS" ~ The Sailor Pictured Below Is,
Navy Petty Officer,
PO2
(Petty Officer, Second Class)
EOD2
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)
"MIKE MONSOOR"
April 5th, 1981 ~ September 29th, 2009 (2006)
This Was A Fitting End To An Eternal Send-Off For A Warrior Hero!
This Should Be Front-Page News!
Instead Of The Garbage We Listen To And See Every Day. ~
Colonel Robert L. Howard
Colonel Robert L. Howard 1939- 23 December 2009 U. S. Army Congressional Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star 8 Purple Hearts
Most of you probably haven't even heard of Colonel Howard. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1971 by then President Nixon. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions, but since you can only receive one Medal of Honor the other nominations were not approved. Those familiar with the circumstances surrounding the other two actions swear that his heroism warranted a Congressional Medal of Honor for all three.
He is one of the most highly decorated soldiers in American history.
Having just learned of his passing, we can't help but wonder if, yet again, another "American Hero" will report for 'Final Muster' unnoticed.
Colonel Howard, Sir, your work here is done - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Thanks Will for letting us know about his passing......
Staff Sergeant Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Most of you probably don't know the name. All of us owe our freedom and our way of life to Shifty and his "Band of Brothers". Shifty answered final muster on 17 June 2009. We are losing World War II Vets at an alarming rate. They answered the call when freedom was challenged. None of the National media even took note of his passing. We will. Thank God we still have men and women like Shifty willing to fight so that the flame of Freedom is never extinguished.
Staff Sergeant 'Shifty" Powers - your work here is done. 'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.'
Below email reprinted in his honor: (Thanks Kent for sending email)....
We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.. I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel , you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them..
I I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle," the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat. Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made. Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 ... . . " at which point my heart skipped. At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped. I told him "yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what D-Day was.." At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.. I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say. I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach. He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.
Shifty died on June 17, 2009 There was no parade.No big event in Staples Center .No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.No weeping fans on television.And that's not right. Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans. Rest in peace, Shifty
Colonel Kenneth L Reusser
Colonel Kenneth L. Reusser, United States Marine Corps (27 Jan 1920 to 20 June 2009)
3 wars(WW II, Korea and Vietnam) 253 combat missions 2 Navy Crosses 4 Purple Hearts
With all the news about the recent passing of many Hollywood celebrities I'll bet you didn't hear a word about Colonel Reusser answering the call for 'Final Formation'. Colonel Reusser was one of the many men that represent the epitome of the word 'American Hero'. Quietly serving their country with no expectations of recognition. We are losing these heroes at an alarming rate. Their passing deserves a little more than a mention on the nightly news. Read his story and on this 4th of July take a moment, just a moment, to remember the sacrifices that some have made to keep our country "Free".
