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.
Description Around 08:00 on 24 October, the Center Force was spotted entering the Sibuyan Sea and attacked by VF-20 squadron F6F-5 Hellcat fighters, VB-20 SB2C-3 Helldiver dive bombers, and VT-20 Avenger torpedo bombers from USS Enterprise of Halsey's 3rd Fleet. Despite its great strength, 3rd Fleet was not well-placed to deal with the threat. On 22 October, Halsey had detached two of his carrier groups to the fleet base at Ulithi to provision and rearm. When Darter 's contact report came in, Halsey recalled Davison's group, but allowed Vice Admiral John S. McCain, with the strongest of TF 38's carrier groups, to continue towards Ulithi. Halsey finally recalled McCain on 24 October—but the delay meant the most powerful American carrier group played little part in the coming battle, and the 3rd Fleet was therefore effectively deprived of nearly 40% of its air strength for most of the engagement. On the morning of 24 October, only three groups were available to strike Kurita's force, and the one best positioned to do so—Gerald F. Bogan's Task Group 38.2 (TG 38.2)—was by mischance the weakest of the groups, containing only one large carrier—USS Intrepid—and two light carriers (the failure to promptly recall McCain on 23 October had also effectively deprived 3rd Fleet, throughout the battle, of four of its six heavy cruisers).
