MAJOR RICHARD "DICK" WINTERS

Richard "Dick" Winters was made publicly famous by HBO's mini series Band of Brothers. The story of his group, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division was the main focus of the story detailing their hardship and heroism.

During their boot camp days then 2nd Lt. Winters was a platoon leader in charge of the 2nd platoon. After being promoted to 1st Lt. he became an acting executive officer. During the invasion of Normandy 1st. Lt. Winters became acting CO of easy company due to the lost of Lt. Meehan. In his command the unit successfully destroyed Battery of  German Howitzers and in the process Lt. Winters got a map detailing German battery placements on Utah beach. This assault will be known as Brecourt Manor Assault and is still being studied at West Point. Following this event Lt. Winters was promoted to Captain and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. During operation market garden Capt. Winters lead 1st platoon against a German machine gun position. After the assault he became the battalion executive officer, a position usually held by a major. Captain Winters also took part in the Battle of the Bulge. After this event he was again promoted to major and became battalion commander. After defensive duties in the Rhine the group lead the way to Alpine retreat. They stayed there till the war ended.

For his actions in the Normandy Invasion and the Intel on the German Battery positions in Utah beach that he gathered, Major Winters was recommended for the Medal of Honor but was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross the 2nd highest medal of the US army. Many people made written petitions for him to receive the Medal of Honor but to this day has no result yet. I do hope that the major would receive his Medal of honor one day.

Major Richard "Dick" Winters passed away on the 2nd of January 2011.

Major Richard Winters portrayed by actor Damian Lewis.

The uniform was well detailed and represents the character well.

Photo of Richard Winters.

A highly decorated soldier. Among his awards were Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Purple heart, Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, American defense service medal, National defense service medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 3 stars and arrow, World War II victory medal, Army of occupation medal, Croix de guerre with palm, French liberation medal, Oorlogskruis with palm, Belgian WWII service medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge with 2 stars, Medal of the City of Eindhoven

PRIVATE TAK 442nd RCT BY DML

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team made up of  Japanese-American soldiers fought bravely against German troops in the second world war. The 442nd became the most highly decorated regiment with 22 recipient of the Medal of Honor. And on the tenth of October 2010 the 442nd was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

"Go for Broke" is the regiment's motto.

Pvt. Tak holding his M1 helmet.

Close up of the figure's face.

Close up of the patch

Ammo belt and suspenders.

Entrenching tool, bayonet and water canteen attached to the belt.

Browning Automatic Rifle or BAR designed by John Browning.

A list of the Medal Of Honor recipients was included with the figure.

PRIVATE SCOTT BY DML

I'm cleaning some of my older figures hence the consecutive DML figures. According to the box Pvt. Scott is a member of the US army 4th infantry division. The box also indicate that the time line for the figure is 1944. During this time the division participated in the Normandy invasion, they landed on Utah beach. The 4th infantry division also saw action during the first world war, Vietnam war, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Private Scott, 4th infantry division Normandy 1944

Pvt. Scott is a rifleman and carriers the standard issue M1 Garand

M1923 cartridge belt with suspenders carries ten 8round clips for the Garand.

Several gears are attached to the belt like the M1 bayonet with M7 scabbard,

M1910 canteen, entrenching tool and first aid pouch.

His M1 with extra clips.

The rifle's charging handle can be opened.

The 8round clip fits nicely in the compartment.

Lock and load!

" Fix bayonet"

It is only attached in anticipation for close combat or when ammo is used up.

4th infantry division's patch

Here is a bigger version of the patch.

[photo from: wiki]

SERGEANT DAVE BY DML

Here is a world war two figure from my old collection. He is made by Dragon Models Ltd. The company named him Dave and he is a sergeant in the 1st infantry division. The 1st infantry division is also known as the "Big Red One", the division  has a long history of combat spanning from the first world war, second world war, Vietnam war, first Persian gulf war to the present war on terror. The figure came with only the basic gears that a combat soldier needs but still provided good detail. Despite being an older figure I still consider Dave as an impressive figure.

Standard DML ww2 figure box. Its nice and sturdy.

Sgt. Dave wearing a M1941 jacket, M1943 trousers and boots with legging.

Its been a while since i popped him out of the box.

The Big Red One's patch and his Sergeant patch.

 I know that current companies make life like HS, but back then this HS is as real as it gets.

He looks too clean for a soldier, other than that he looks good.

He came with a pistol belt with hand gun ammo pouch, his bayonet, M1910 canteen, first aid pouch and M1916 holster. A standard issue M1 helmet was also provided. A clear plastic stand was also included.

The Thompson sub machine gun was commonly issued to non commission officers (NCO).

 It uses .45 ACP often loaded in a 20 or 30 round stick magazine.

It was invented by John T. Thompson.

For his side arm he carried a M1911 designed by John M. Browning.