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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.
CLASS - PORTLAND
Displacement 9,950 Tons, Dimensions, 610' 3" (oa) x 66' 1" x 24' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 8 x 5"/25, 8 x 0.5" 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 5" Belt, 2 1/2 Turrets, 2 1/2" Deck, 1 1/4 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.7 Knots, Crew 621. Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 31 MAR 1930 at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ
Launched 07 NOV 1931
Commissioned 15 NOV 1932 Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 30 JUL 1945 by Japanese submarine I-58
USS Indianapolis (CL/CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. She was named for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.
She was the flagship of Admiral Raymond Spruance while he commanded the Fifth Fleet in battles across the Central Pacific. Her sinking led to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy. On 30 July 1945, after delivering parts for Little Boy, the first atomic bomb used in combat, to the United States air base at Tinian, the ship was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-58, sinking in 12 minutes. Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship.
The remaining 900 faced exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks while floating with few lifeboats and almost no food or water. The Navy learned of the sinking when survivors were spotted four days later by the crew of a PV-1 Ventura on routine patrol. Only 317 survived.
