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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.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Republic F-105D Thunderchief Length 64.24 ft | 19.58 m Width 34.94 ft | 10.65 m Height 19.59 ft | 5.97 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet engine generating 24,500lbs of thrust with afterburn capability. Empty Weight 27,500 lbs | 12,474 kg MTOW 52,838 lbs | 23,967 kg Max Speed 1,390 mph | 2,237 km/h | 1,208 kts Max Range 920 miles | 1,480 km Ceiling 41,207 ft | 12,560 m | 7.8 miles Climb Rate 34,400 ft/min (10,485 m/min) Hardpoints 4 Armament 1 x 20mm cannon
Internal bomb load capacity of up to 8,000lbs (3,629 kg) with an overall capacity of 12,000lbs (5,442 kg) of munitions (with the inclusion of the external hardpoints).
Mission-specific armament can include AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, mine dispensers, air-to-surface missiles, rocket pods, fuel tanks, nuclear-tipped weapons and conventional dumb bombs. Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* YF-105A - Initial prototypes of which two produced; Pratt & Whitney J57-P-25 turbojet. * YF-105B - Second prototype of which four produced; J75-P-3 powerplant. * F-105 - Base model designation * F-105B - First production rate model * F-105D - All-Weather Attack Variant * F-105F - Final production designation; Two-seat conversion trainer model. * EF-105F - Wild Weasel conversion with special radar detection equipment and anti-radar air-to-surface missiles. * F-105G - Later designation of same EF-105F Wild Weasel Variant.
