RIP William "Bill" Winter USMC

[Muley Gil]

I ask that our members remember Bill this Memorial Day.

Bill and I were Marine midshipmen in Auburn University's Navy/Marine Corps ROTC unit in the 1970s. He was a 1/c and I was a lowly 4/c when we met. I came to know him as an outstanding leader as he became an officer of Marines. I lost track of him for several years after graduation, but I have spoken with a number of Marines who served with him or under him. It is always a true compliment to have an enlisted Marine say, "Yeah, I knew Capt Winter. He was a good officer."

Almost 30 years ago, Bill, who had been selected for promotion to major and was 10 days out from coming home, was killed in the barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon on 23 October 1983. It was a peacekeeping mission, but we lost many servicemen and servicewomen in such missions, just like in any "declared war".

RIP Bill and Semper Fidelis.

 

[jgh4445]

Thanks Muley..I'll send up a "thanks" for a Brown Hall Brother!

 

[ldausmc1369]

Semper Fi!

 

[monet61]

Thank you for posting that. It is a clear eyed look at what our service members agree to accept when they take the oath.

 

[tennexplorer]

I'd like to second Gil's remarks. Bill was a great guy. I was a year behind him, and we shot on the rifle team together. He was from Athens, AL if I remember correctly.

 

[ggp0049]

Muley,
I am a kindred soul. I too lost a close friend and exceptional Marine officer, "Hair on Fire", John (Mac) Macroglou, Maj USMC in Beirut, 10/23/1983. We were butter bars through Quantico. I appreciate your request to remember those that went before us on this day to recall and revisit our heritage. Bill and Mac are emblematic of that history. Semper Fi......forever.

 

[george minze]

Semper Fi !!!! Marine..........That say's it all.......There are no ex Marines, just former Marines......If there is any justice in eternity there will be a "slop-chute" just out side the gates.....

 

[mg357]

Semper Fi!

 

[baldeagle8888]

Semper Fi

baldeagle8888

 

[Rgoodwin]

Bless all your hearts! I wasn't a Marine but was born at Camp LeJeune. My dad was a marine and made it home somehow from Chosin.

 

[amazingflapjack]

One of my friends was wounded there-2 hits in the back-AK 47, but he made it so that he could go to Grenada and the Canal zone (Seal). Lest we forget.