This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Winters, Theodore Hugh, Jr. (WWII ACE -8-), CAPT.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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.
Description The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the Battles for Leyte Gulf, and formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.
It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from 23–26 October 1944, between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four separate engagements between the opposing forces: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.
It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks. By the time of the battle, Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had sea vessels, demonstrating the difference in power of the two sides at this point of the war.
