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Contact Info
Home Town Austin, Minnesota
Last Address Litchfield Park, Arizona/Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date of Passing Sep 25, 2009
Location of Interment Lakewood Cemetery - Minneapolis, Minnesota
He flew combat missions in WWII and also in Vietnam, where he was shot down twice. The 1st time he was rescued; but the 2nd time he became a POW for 1,678 days.
A memorial service was held for him at the Air Force Academy chapel before he was buried in Minnesota.
His AFDSM citation: Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General David William Winn, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Winn distinguished himself while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1968 to August 1971. During t his period, General Winn displayed professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country by his continued resistance to an enemy who ignored all International agreements on treatment of prisoners of war. General Winn performed his duties in accord with the Code of Conduct and exhibited leadership with courage and determination, regardless of the cost in the many cruel tortures and beatings which he had to endure. The execution of his responsibilities was a vital factor in setting the standard for the other prisoners. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Winn reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel David William Winn, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as the Pilot of an F-105D Thunderchief of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, on 23 June 1968. On that date, Colonel Winn was instrumental in effecting the rescue of his wingman, downed by hostile ground fire, in the Gulf of Tonkin. With complete disregard for his own safety, he continued to make numerous aggressive passes up and down the extremely well-defended coast of North Vietnam until the safe recovery of his wingman could be effected. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Winn has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General David William Winn, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 5 September 1968 to 10 September 1968, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. General Winn resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Air Offensive, Europe Campaign (1942-44)/Operation Strangle
From Month/Year
March / 1943
To Month/Year
January / 1944
Description Operation Strangle was a series of air interdiction operations during the Italian Campaign of World War II by the United States Fifteenth and Twelfth Air Forces to interdict German supply routes in Italy north of Rome from March 24, 1943, until the fall of Rome in spring 1944. Its aim was to prevent essential supplies from reaching German forces in central Italy and compel a German withdrawal. The strategic goal of the air assault was to eliminate or greatly reduce the need for a ground assault on the region. Although the initial goal of forcing the enemy to withdraw was not achieved, the air interdiction of Operation Strangle played a major role in the success of the subsequent ground assault Operation Diadem.
Two principal interdiction lines were maintained across the narrow boot of Italy. This meant that no through trains were able to run from the Po Valley to the front line, and that south of Florence substantially all supplies had to be moved by truck. The operation employed medium bombers and fighter bombers over a 150-square-mile (390 km2) area from Rome to Pisa and from Pescara to Rimini.