Richard 'Dick' Winters, the 'Easy Company' commander whose WWII exploits were made famous by the book and television mini-series 'Band of Brothers', has died, aged 92.
According to the New York Times, Winters died in Campbelltown, Pennsylvania after battling Parkinson's disease for several years.
Reportedly an intensely private man, Winters had asked that news of his death be withheld until after his funeral, his longtime friend William Jackson has said.
In the 2001 HBO mini-series, 'Band of Brothers' Winters was played by Damian Lewis and the fact-based series also featured Michael Fassbender and David Schwimmer.
Winters became the leader of Company E, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, known as 'Easy Company', on D-Day after the death of the company commander during the invasion of Normandy.
Speaking on a 2004 CNN programme about the invasion he said: "Basically you were saying, 'This is it,' and as a platoon leader you were saying, 'I can't let my men down.
"And as you looked down, it took your breath. You were looking at a sight no man has seen before or since. You were looking at about 7,000 ships, about 4,000 landing craft, over 250 battleships."
The men Winters led expressed their admiration for their company commander including William Guarnere, 88 who said: "When he said 'Let's go,' he was right in the front. He was never in the back. A leader personified."
Edward Heffron, 87, called Winters: "One of the greatest soldiers I was ever under. He was a wonderful officer, a wonderful leader. He had what you needed - guts and brains."
Winters is survived by his wife, Ethel, a daughter, son and grandson.
