This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Winters, Theodore Hugh, Jr. (WWII ACE -8-), CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Society Hill, South Carolina
Last Address Lynchburg, Virginia
Date of Passing Apr 25, 2008
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Ensign T. H. Winters, USN, was designated Naval Aviator #5652 in 1938. Graduated USNA, Class of 1935.
During World War II, was commanding officer of Fighting Squadron Nineteen (VF-19) as well as Commander, Carrier Air Group Nineteen (CVG-19), operating from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16). As CO of VF-19 was credited with eight confirmed Japanese aircraft destroyed in aerial combat. As CAG-19, directed the aerial strikes which resulted in the sinking of three Japanese carriers during Oct. 1944, and the satisfaction of seeing them sink.
Major war-time awards included two Navy Crosses, three Silver Stars, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the war, was instrumental at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., in the creation of the Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration group, and later CO of the attack aircraft carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42). His final tour was as chief of staff to Commander, Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet. Captain Winters retired from active service in July 1961.
In retirement, at the instigation of the men in his squadron, Captain Winters wrote a book, "Skipper, Confessions of a Fighter Squadron Commander 1943-1944," (1985, Champlin Fighter Musem Press) about their war experiences.
Asiatic-Pacific Specified Raids (1944)/Formosa Air Battle
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Formosa Air Battle took place between October 10 and 20, 1944, off the eastern coasts of the Ryukyu Islands, Formosa, and Luzon. It was fought by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service and the approaching Task Force 38 of the United States Third Fleet and was one of a series of air raids on Japan during the Pacific War. The attacks served to prevent Japanese aircraft from participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf later that month.
The battle was one-sided, as the U.S. practically dominated the air war due to the superior training and weaponry that it possessed at that point. Japanese air power in the region was battle exhausted, giving the Americans air superiority and weakening Japan's ability to defend the Okinawa Islands in the upcoming Okinawa Campaign. However, in an effort to boost morale and to cover up th
