I was talking to my husband about my decision to pull the plug on my support for the petition and he filled me in on more facts regarding the CMOH. I said, am I right in assuming that not very many were ever given out. Yes he replied, in fact only 50 were given out in Vietnam over a period of ten years. And most of those were given posthumously. He said the vast majority were given to men who threw themselves on hand grenades to save their buddies. The criteria is extremely high.

I hope none of you think that I am down-playing anything that Dick Winters did. He was an exceptional soldier and leader and is a man of impeccable character. His deeds shine on and should. But we also have to understand what the army's criteria is and in order to do this we should all educate ourselves by reading more about the CMOH and it's history.

Therefore I present this for your reading pleasure:

http://www.cmohs.org/

As you can imagine, I have already received a multitude of letters in private. Most so far most are supportive, some have asked me to change my mind and others have not agreed with my position. But, I have made up my mind and will stand by my decision.

The one question I am now getting now is, "Don't you think he is worthy anymore?"

Please re-read my words. My name is still on the petition. I never stated that I didn't think he was unworthy. I am not questioning the great man. My gripes are with the manner in which is it being done and the claims of several to speak for Major Winters. There is no need for me to repeat myself.

I think the one thing the Major would say to anyone is "Abide by your own feelings" He wouldn't want you to feel pressured by anyone. Especially on his own behalf.

Thanks. My head is starting to spin around this afternoon. I feel like the girl from the Exorcist!

Guess I have opened up a can-o-worms! As the Major said, "Hang tough!"

Maybe someday we shall hear the whole truth behind the matter. Maybe someday someone will come up to me and say, "Hey you were right all along." Dunno. But regardless I shall not shirk. I can only hope that I am doing the right thing. I have always trusted my heart and so far it has done me right.

I am already hearing new quotes from folks telling me what the Major said in the last few days, weeks and months. Just please stop speaking for him, that's all I ask. I know you are well-intentioned, but let the major speak for himself if he chooses to do so. If he doesn't wish to speak about it, please honor his decision for privacy.

Do you know how many times the man has had to change his PO Box lately? For God's sake, leave the man have some peace.

By the way , the Pennsylvania House of Represenatives has pass a resolution HR23 asking the Congress of the United States to award the Medal of Honor to the Major.

It was passed back in January .

Thanks for sharing that. That is the first straight answer we have gotten from anyone. I knew we could count on you for the straight scoop.

Marion,

You know my views on this subject. It is worth repeating here that I consider Marion to be a true friend and a very straight forward person. You know that I will always welcome you to the Dick Winters site, and I wish to go on record here, on your site, and say Thank you for all the help that you have been to us, and to me personally. You are more than welcome anytime. We all at the site respect your views.

Truth will out Marion, have no fear of that, and if you will permit me, I will continue to up date this site as and when I can get the information.

Barry Poulter

Administrator

www.majordickwinters.com

Dear Barry:

As always, your are a first class act and a true gentleman and I am happy to state that for all to see. I want everyone to know that I have no qualms with any of the moderators from Dick Winter's site, whether it be Barry, or Linda or Lennon. Everyone always welcomed me with open arms and that's how Barry and I became good friends.

They were one of the only forums that I felt comfortable being myself and got accepted as one of the clan. For that I will always be grateful. And Barry please, if it does any good, you are welcome to quote me on anything I say here.

Thank you for keeping us up-to-date and I know we can continue to count on you for your support and any breaking news. You know I have the best interests of the Major in mind and that is why I did what I did.

Thank you again and you have made my day. I knew I would get some flak, but it is never pleasant to hear. I am only human and sometimes do take things to heart.

Marion, thanks for being so honest about your feelings on this matter.

I too have had a few worries about how the Major really feels about the whole project to get him his CMOH, i have always assumed (hopefully correctly) that the Major has given it his support, even though he can't be seen to take an active role in this matter.

I joined the Dick Winters site, like most members, because i believe that he does deserve the ultimate accolade for his service to his country, if i found out that he would rather let the whole thing drop or if he had become embarrased about the whole project then i also would remove my support.

I suppose it's easy to lose sight in what really matters and become so obsessed with our aims that we can forget about the man himself.

Anyway, until i hear different i will go on the assumption that we have the 100% backing of the Major and will help in any way possible to get him his long overdue award.

Hi my friend:

I too appreciate your honesty and your level-headed thinking. Thank you for stopping in and giving us your opinion. It does mean a lot to me.

My only desire is to respect my vets. It's simple as that. My only wish for Dick Winters is he gets the peace he deserves and the respect from all who admire him. I hope that everyone really works with his true interests in mind, but I've heard too much to convince me otherwise. Since I am not sure of what is going on, I cannot continue to support it.

If Dick Winters wrote me a letter tonight and said, Marion it's okay, then I would back it, but until I see something or hear something a little more substantive than, "Oh ya, Dick has been totally behind this from the beginning", than I will take it as hearsay.

Seems everyone "knows" him and they've claimed he's said everything from A-Z. That is disturbing. I've heard both sides of the story. There isn't. There's only one truth and I am seeking to find it. Until I do, I will lay low and wait.

I don't ever want it said that I'll jump on any bandwagon without doing my homework.

I'm gonna keep a close eye on this matter, i hope that our fears are totally unfounded.

Here, here my English friend. That is my hope too.

To keep you abreast of what is hapening, the Payne petition is supposed to be presented to the President on the 25th on this month. I am waiting to have a conversation directly with Herm Clemens, who is the man that started all this with the permission of the Major back in 2003.

I will tell you exactly what I find out.

Here's the info on the only two Medal of Honor recipients in the 101st during WWII.

------------------

Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole

UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from wellprepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bulletswept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lt. Col. Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Carentan, France, 11 June 1944. Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Birth: Fort Sam Houston, Tex. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944.

A park at Fort Campbell is named for this division hero.

--------------------------------------

Pfc. Joe E. Mann

UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best., Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm. gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded 4 times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company H, 502d Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Best, Holland, 18 September 1944. Entered service at: Seattle, Wash. Birth: Rearden, Wash. G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945.

A theater at Fort Campbell is named for this division hero.