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CARL M. RUSTINE
- November 24th, 2021
U.S. Army Veteran - Korea
Carl M. Rustine 96 of Reeders, Pa. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital Lehighton, Pa. Born in Reeders he was the son of Jacob and Pearl (Hay) Rustine. Carl was a lifelong resident of the Reeder’s area and he worked as a self-employed carpenter most of his life, learning his trade from his father Jacob Rustine. He worked for the Paul Edinger Construction Company for many years and then he was a partner in the Rustine Brothers Construction Co. until his retirement.
Carl was an Army veteran having served in the Korean War. He loved old cars and bought and restored a 1913 Ford Model T Touring car. He belonged to several old car clubs, The Antique Car Club and the Military Red Ball Club. Carl was also a charter member of the McMichael’s Hunting Club.
He is survived by a brother Verdon Rustine and his wife Barbara of Reeders and his Nephew William Rustine and his wife Karen and their children: Kelley and Jessica of Reeders, Pa. nephew Bradford Rustine of Stroudsburg, Pa., and a niece Susan Swanson and her children: Michael and Alex. Cremation services were provided by the Joseph J. Pula Funeral Home Inc. 23 N. 9th.St.Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360
Pulafuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl M. Rustine, please visit our floral store.
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SVEN G. JOHNSON
August 27th, 1929 - November 20th, 2019
U.S. Army Veteran - Korea
Sven Gustav Johnson, 90, of Belvidere, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 27, 1929, he was the son of the late Swen Gustav Albert Johnson and Jennie Gotfrieda Nelson.
Sven had attended high school at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY and college at the University of Vermont. He had worked his entire adult life with his family at S. Johnson and Sons.
After ROTC, Sven had served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was Honorably Discharged as a First Lieutenant of the Ordnance Corps.
Sven had continued to serve; in Rotary International as a Past District Governor, where he implemented the Short Term Exchange Student Program with Japan, Past President of the Rotary Club of Belvidere, where he had received multiple Paul Harris Fellow Awards; in the community of Belvidere thru Town Council, environmental commission, and the School Board. In recent years, Sven was active in the antique military vehicle restoration as a member of the Military Transportation Association and the Red Ball Military Club.
In addition to his parents, Sven was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Barbara; his second wife, Helga; a son, Grant; sisters, Svea, Dorothy, and Greta.
Surviving are his sons, Erik of Belvidere and Gus and his wife Christy of Newton; grandsons, Brandon, Alex and Kristian; great-grandsons, Wyatt and Kaiden; many nephews and nieces.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 14, 2019 at the Belvidere Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be made in Sven’s memory to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860 or the charity of one’s choice.
Please leave an online condolence.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sven Johnson, please visit Tribute Store
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CARL E. CASTNER
- January 15, 2019
U.S. Army Veteran
Carl E. Kastner, Jr., 87 passed away on January 15, 2019 after a long battle with cancer.
Born November 10, 1931, Carl grew up in Maplewood, NJ. After earning a B.S. degree in Engineering from Stevens Institute in 1953, he joined the Army, achieving the rank of SP5.
He returned to New Jersey to pursue his passion for rocket engineering and aeronautics with Reaction Motors, Inc. He was one of 3 patent holders for the Steam Generator for Rocket Engines in 1961 and was involved in the development of engines for the X-15 super-sonic rocket powered airplane. He later spent over 20 years travelling globally to build energy plants with Foster Wheeler Corporation.
Carl is survived by his wife Shirley, his daughter Susanna, and his sons, Jeffry, and Carl Kastner, III (Kathy); his 7 grandchildren and his sister, Anita Kastner Hotchkiss (Christopher Martin), of Morristown, NJ. He was predeceased by his first wife, Carolyn Kastner (nee Jones) and his son, David.
Carl will be buried with military honors at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Tuesday January 22, 2019.
Funeral arrangements are handled by Morrello Funeral Home in Easton, PA.
Published in Daily Record on Jan. 20, 2019
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HELGA JOHNSON
December 9th, 1934 - May 6th, 2018
Helga Johnson, 83, of Belvidere, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at the Williams Manor, Bushkill Township, PA. Born on Dec. 9, 1934, in Berlin, Germany, Helga lived in Boston before moving to Belvidere, NJ.
She was active in the music field. Helga was a renowned expert with the Harvard Co-Op. She had been an executive assistant with S. Johnson & Son, Belvidere, NJ. Helga was a charter member of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation. She enjoyed the Opera, Symphonies and traveling.
Helga was predeceased by her daughter, Lorraine C. Smith, who had lived in Yarmouth, MA. Surviving are her husband, Sven Johnson (A founding member of the Redball Military Transport Club); a sister, Silvia Izi of Germany; stepsons, Erik and Gus Johnson; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; two nephews, Oliver and Erol of Germany.
Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, NJ. Arrangements are under the direction of MacFadden Funeral Home, Belvidere, NJ. Online condolences are to be sent to www.MacFaddenFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be made in Helga's name to the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 782, Farmingdale, NJ 07727. MacFadden Funeral Home 325 Hardwick St. Belvidere, NJ 07823 (908) 475-2210
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EMIL ALLGEIER
- November 20th, 2017
Veteran - NJ Army National Guard
The Redball Military Transport Club is sad to report that Emil Allgeier, a kind & well-loved member of the club passed away on November, 20, 2017.
Emil was often called upon at our meetings to distribute drawing tickets with his pal Skip for the monthly prize of $50.00 or a T-shirt. He was also very helpful putting in time at the club sales table at the fall show.
Emil's Obituary:
Emil Allgeier, 78 of Newfoundland, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at home. His wife of 45 years is Pastor Marge Allgeier.Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, he graduated from Essex County Vocational School and was a member of the White Mills United Methodist Church, where he faithfully served.
Prior to his retirement in 2001, he was employed by the former United Steel Deck, South Plainfield, New Jersey. He also was a 27-year member of the New Jersey Army National Guard.
Emil was a volunteer firefighter with the North Stelton and River Road Fire Companies in Piscataway, New Jersey. He served as secretary and then president of the District 2 Fire Commissioners in Piscataway Township.
After his retirement, he relocated to Newfoundland in November 2001. He became an active community volunteer with the Newfoundland American Legion Post 859, where he served on the Honor Guard, and was a board member of the Newfoundland Area Ambulance Association. Emil was a member of the Legion of Honor of The Chapel of Four Chaplains, and the Red Ball, an organization preserving old military vehicles.
He is survived by three daughters: Virginia Beasley of Corona, California; Dr. Carrie Cardillo of Kingston; and Stephanie Phillips of Cambridge, Maryland; one brother, John Allgeier of Roseland, New Jersey; five grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Emil Allgeier Sr., and a brother, Raymond.
Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at Frey-Fetsock Funeral Home Inc., 201, Bumpers Rd, Newfoundland, PA 18445. Phone: (844) 340-3962
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at White Mills United Methodist Church, Route 6, White Mills. Any one attending the funeral is asked to proceed directly to the church Saturday. Interment will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Newfoundland Ambulance Association, 441 Crestmont Drive, Newfoundland, PA 18445.
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JOHN "JACK" TRAVIS
July 11th, 1930 - January 28th, 2017
John W. “Jack” Travis, 86, Ringtown passed away peacefully on Saturday at home surrounded by his family. Born in Girardville, he was a son of the late Bruce and Stella Honicker Travis. He was employed as a baker for Heckard’s Bakery in Girardville for 25 years before becoming a groundskeeper for the North Schuylkill School District until his retirement.
Jack was a member of Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, Ringtown, the Ashland Masonic Lodge No. 294 F & AM, the Redball Military Transport Club and the GPA Military Vehicle Historical Society.
Jack spent a lot of his time helping the youth of Girardville. He started and organized the Girardville Basketball Association in 1960 and ran it until 1987. He also coached the various youth organizations including the Girardville Little and Teener Leagues from 1955 to 1985. Jack was the grand marshal in 2009 for the Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Betty Travis.
Jack is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth “Christine” (Jones) Travis, Ringtown; two sons: Paul and his wife Emily Travis of Colorado Springs, CO and Edward Travis, Ringtown; two step-grandchildren: Nicholas Twombly, Maine and JonathanTwombly of Colorado.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville with Pastor Susan Wollyung officiating. Interment will follow at the Methodist Cemetery in Ringtown. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions be made, in Jack’s name, to the Girardville Basketball Association in care of Paul Kowalick at 250 N. Second Street Girardville, PA 17935 or to the Ringtown Area Library at 132 W. Main St. Ringtown, PA 17967
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JACK LIPPENCOTT
December 24, 1924 - June 1, 2016
U.S. Army Veteran - WWII
Charter Member
Jack was one of the six Charter Members of the Redball Military Transport Club back in 1992. He was an active member, serving on the Board of Directors for many years and participating in many events.
A memorial brick is placed at the Army Transportation Museum in his honor.
Jack served in the Army in WW II in France & Germany as a Medic, including driving trucks & ambulances. During the Korean War he re-enlisted and served with the training cadre at Fort Leonard Wood. In 2011, Jack was one of 10 US military veterans to receive the Legion of Honor from France for services in France.
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ROBERT P. LYNN
April, 7, 1938 - October 1, 2014
U.S. Army Veteran
Robert P. Lynn, age 76 of Plainfield Township, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at his residence, with his loving family at his side.
He was the husband of Margaret "Peggy" Simons Lynn with whom he celebrated 47 years of marriage last November. He was born April 7, 1938 in East Stroudsburg, a son of the late Richard C. and Rita Schwoyer Lynn.
Bob was a U.S. Army veteran. He attended St. Michael's School for Boys in Tunkhannock. He worked as a mechanic for Crayola, formerly Binney and Smith, for more than 22 years, and later Waste Management before retiring
Bob enjoyed collecting military memorabilia and was a regular at local flea markets in the area.He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Easton, a life member of both the NRA and the Forks of the Delaware, and a member of the Red Ball Military Transport.In addition to his loving wife Peggy,
Bob is survived by one son, Kevin of Bethlehem; and one brother, Richard D. of Tucson, AZ. Along with his parents, Bob is predeceased by his son in infancy, Ricky Alan, and a half-brother, Victor Capone Jr. Burial was in Belfast Union Cemetery.
Redball Military Transport made a donation to the U. S. Army Transportation Museum and a memorial brick is placed in Robert's honor.
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EDWARD E. LUKSA JR.
1954 - September 20, 2014
Edward E. Luksa Jr., 60, of Dallas, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Pocono Medical Center, Stroudsburg. {He was transported by ambulance from the 2014 Redball Gilbert Swap Meet & Rally where he was a vendor.}
He was born in Kingston, a son of the late Edward and Eleanor Pugh Luksa. He was a graduate of West Side Vocational Technical School and worked since 1988 at Offset Paperback in Dallas. Prior to that, he was employed by Bechtel Corp. at its Limerick power plant.
Ed and his wife, the former Joan Domarasky, celebrated 37 years of marriage on Sept. 10th. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, and was known for his jokes and stories.
Ed was the proud father of three Eagle Scouts and was very active in scouting, serving as assistant troop leader for the NEPA Council at Troop 281, Dallas. He was an extremely handy man — he could fix anything.
Ed won several trophies for the work that he did restoring military vehicles. He was an active member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA). {He also was a past member of the Redball Military Transport Club.}
In addition to his wife, Joan, he is survived by his three sons, Paul Luksa, Emmaus, Steven Luksa and Mark Luksa, both at home; his sisters, Delores White and Debra Ostrum, both of Kingston; brother, Joseph Luksa, Luzerne.
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ARTHUR (ART) GEORGE VAN AKEN
April 11, 1925 - May 7, 2014
U.S. Army Veteran - WWII
Art, as he preferred to be called, is the son of the late Mr. Frederick Van Aken and Elizabeth (Bartsch) Van Aken of Gilboa. Art was born on April 11, 1925 in Yonkers, New York but spent most of his adult life in the Gilboa area, attending Gilboa-Conesville Central School.
In 1943, he joined the US Army. After basic training, he was shipped to En gland, and joined General George S. Patton’s Third Army, where he saw action in Normandy and Northern France as a member of The Red Ball Express, delivering gas and supplies to the front lines. He was later transferred to Antwerp, Belgium during a period of daily V1 and V-2 attacks. He completed his Military Service in Germany at the war’s end. {Art was a past member of the Red Ball Military Transport Club}
Art had a very active career, as a logger, truck driver, truck mechanic; retiring from the N.Y.S. DOT in 1987 as Preventive Maintenance Specialist. In 2004, he started a new career as a writer and truck historian, compiling and publishing 29 books on trucks and heavy equipment, which he shipped to customers worldwide.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catskills Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 795 E. Main St., Cobleskill, NY 12043
Read Art Van Aken's article "Driving on The Red Ball Express", which was published in the February/March 2012 issue of "Old Time Trucks" Magazine.
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WILLIAM (BILL) PARKS
October 21, 1949 - April 16, 2013
It is with much sadness, that we record the passing of Redball Treasurer Bill Parks, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 while working at home. Bill was our most dedicated member and a friend to all.
A willing volunteer always first to offer a helping hand, Bill was a man of great integrity who never failed to honor his commitments. Bill's devotion to making our Club a great organization will never be forgotten.
Bill was cremated and his ashes will be interred in the Fort Indiantown Gap Military Cemetery. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Loretta.
Redball Military Transport made a donation to the U. S. Army Transportation Museum in Bill's honor.
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FRANK C. J. FIALA
March 5, 1912 - July 3, 2009
U.S. Army Veteran - WWII
Frank C. J. Fiala, a former member of Red Ball, passed away July 3rd 2009, 97 years young in Ocala, FL. He served in the Army during WWII as a Medical Supply Officer, spending time in Northern Africa, Italy and France from 1944 to 1945.
For a number of years Frank spent the winters in Ocala Florida and the summers at Pocono Lake Preserve, PA. He became acquainted with the Redball club during a MV display from the club at Pocono Lake Preserve and attended the summer shows and meetings during the summer after that until 2001 when he went to Ocala and stopped coming up in the summer time.
Frank bought his first Jeep, a 1942 Willy’s MB in May of 1960 in Stanford CT. He towed it to Pocono Lake Preserve where it still is and being used some in the summer time. He bought a 1943 GPW from a club member after the parade and display at Pocono Lake Preserve. His son, Harry has displayed it at the last three Gilbert shows.
--Provided by Frank Harry Fiala
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ELDER SANTOS
November 20, 1934 - June 2, 2009
U.S. Air Force Veteran - Korea
Charter Member
Elder Santos, 74, of 80 Lakeside Drive, Honesdale, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Born Nov. 20, 1934, in Kearny, N.J., Elder served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He relocated to Honesdale in 1967. Employed as a Design Engineer and Distribution Technician for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company for 30 years, he retired in 1994.
Elder was a true "hobbyist," a man of many diverse interests. He was the founding member of the Pike-Wayne Antique Automobile Club of America and a founding member of the Red Ball Military Transport Club. [Elder is remembered by many Red Ball members for his strong, enthusiastic support and for being a willing supplier of parts.] In 1976, his restoration of his 1950 Dodge Wayfarer garnered him the first place National Antique Automobile Club of American Award. His passion extended to his love of the military, and he captured many awards of distinction for his restorations of World War II vehicles. In 1994, Elder traveled to Southampton, England, and Normandy, France, to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of D-Day.
A man of the highest integrity, dignity and character, Elder leaves an indelible legacy for all those who knew him. His enduring friendships span the country, and his consistent warmth, humor and compassion will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Carol M. Oliver; his stepchildren, John Warren, Carolyn Warren, Diana Dutton, Kathy Bower and William Warren; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, James Santos of Haleiwa, Hawaii.
His beloved German shepherd, Sam, preceded him in death.
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Barrett L. Boop
June 1, 1932 - August 16, 2008
U.S. Army Veteran - 101st Airborne, 8th Division, Company C - Korea
Barrett entered military services during the Korean War. He served in the 101st Airborne, 8th Division, Company C, and the U.S. Infantry, 2nd Division, before being wounded, and was then transferred to the 58th Ordinance Ammo Company, where he served in the motor pool. He was discharged from active service on Nov. 26, 1954. He received the Korean Services Medal with one bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Defense Medal.
Following his discharge from the military, Barrett pursued his interest in restoring World War II military vehicles, which became a life long hobby. He was well known for his vehicle restorations and his participation in parades and veterans activities. He was a member of the Red Ball Military Transport Club and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association.
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George W. Sebring, Jr.
October 19, 1929 - January 5, 2008
U.S. Navy Veteran - Korea
George was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the Navy as a combat air crewman. He was a longtime resident of East Stroudsburg PA and a member of several community groups, his church, Member #1 of the Redball Military Transport and a Life Member of the MVPA.
George was always seen at HMV events with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart. We strongly appreciate all your contributions to the Red Ball Military Transport.
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MAJOR RICHARD 'DICK' WINTERS
January 21, 1918 – January 2, 2011
U.S. Army Veteran - WWII & Korea
2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
-Portrayed in Band of Brothers-
Obituary: Richard 'Dick' Winters, courageous WWII officer portrayed in 'Band of Brothers'
By T. Rees Shapiro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 11, 2011; p. B7
Richard "Dick" Winters, 92, a decorated Army officer whose courageous leadership through some of the fiercest combat of World War II was featured in the best-selling book and HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," died Jan. 2. He had Parkinson's disease.
The Patriot-News in central Pennsylvania reported that Maj. Winters, a longtime Hershey resident, died at an assisted-living facility in nearby Campbelltown.
Stephen Ambrose's 1992 book "Band of Brothers" followed the men of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The group came to be known as Easy Company.
One of Easy Company's officers was Maj. Winters, a charismatic and compassionate leader who entered Army service as a private and returned home after World War II as a major.
He and his men jumped into combat on June 6, 1944, above Normandy and later fought together through Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and the Battle of the Bulge.
The unit experienced heavy turnover because of battlefield casualties. One Easy Company soldier later wrote that among his colleagues, the Purple Heart "was not a decoration but a badge of office."
Maj. Winters graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1941 before enlisting in the Army. He was selected to attend officer candidates' school, earned a commission in the summer of 1942 and then - drawn by the promise of extra pay for hazardous duty - volunteered to join a newly formed paratrooper unit.
Of about 500 officers who volunteered to join the elite unit, only 148 made the cut.
Maj. Winters excelled as a infantry leader and a paratrooper and became a hallowed figure among his men for his "follow me" attitude.
He received the military's second-highest decoration for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for his actions on D-Day.
That morning, after landing and untangling from his parachute, Maj. Winters gathered a small group of men for a raid on German cannon emplacements near Brecourt Manor.
Guarded by a platoon of 50 German sentries, the heavily fortified battery had been firing on Utah Beach, causing significant casualties and slowing the Allied advance.
In their assault of the position, Maj. Winters and his men killed 15 German soldiers and took 12 as prisoners. At one point, Maj. Winters noticed a wounded German soldier crawling toward a machine gun.
"I drilled him clear through the head," Maj. Winters told Ambrose.
Maj. Winters and his men destroyed three German cannons and completed the action with near-textbook efficiency.
Throughout the war, Maj. Winters's leadership skills earned him commendations and promotions. He served as Easy Company's commander and was promoted to lead the 506th Regiment's 2nd Battalion, which included Easy Company.
Maj. Winters and his men eventually saw the end of the European campaign while occupying Adolf Hitler's mountainside retreat, the Eagle's Nest, nestled in the Alps above Berchtesgaden. They celebrated by drinking champagne from the Fuhrer's 10,000-bottle cellar.
Late in the war, one of Maj. Winters's soldiers, Floyd Talbert, wrote him a letter from an Indiana hospital, thanking him for his loyalty and leadership.
"You are loved and will never be forgotten by any soldier that ever served under you," Talbert wrote. "I would follow you into hell."
Richard Davis Winters was born Jan. 21, 1918, in Lancaster, Pa.
His family's roots in American history reached back to Timothy Winters, a British immigrant who served in the Revolutionary War and saw action in the Battle of Yorktown.
Maj. Winters's own war story went untold for nearly a half-century until the publication of Ambrose's book, which became a national bestseller.
In 2001, a television miniseries adapted from Ambrose's work was released on HBO. The series, co-produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, won six Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
Toward the end of the war, Maj. Winters turned down the opportunity to make the Army a career.
He returned to the United States and joined an Army colleague's company, Nixon Nitration Works, in New Jersey. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War as a training officer.
For the rest of his career, Maj. Winters owned a farm in rural Pennsylvania and sold animal nutrition products to animal-feed companies. He married Ethel Estoppey in 1948 and had two children. He lived the quiet and peaceful life he'd promised to himself after surviving the war.
One of the most harrowing experiences of his military service came in late April 1945. The men of Easy Company discovered a German working camp near Landsberg that was part of the Dachau concentration camp. Maj. Winters found wheels of cheese piled in a nearby cellar and ordered that the nourishment be distributed among the inmates.
"The memory of starved, dazed men who dropped their eyes and heads when we looked at them through the chain-link fence, in the same manner that a beaten, mistreated dog would cringe, leaves feelings that cannot be described and will not be forgotten," Maj. Winters wrote of the experience. "The impact of seeing those people behind that fence left me saying, only to myself, 'Now I know why I am here.'"
Image credit: https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com
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