ADVA Oral History Project
History of Donald K. Winter; 1/20th Infantry
September 2002
1. What is your name, age, and place of residence?
Donald K. Winter
DOB: October 17, 1930
495 Spring Creek
Providence, Utah 84332
2. Where were you born?
Independence, Missouri – Born and raised there (21 years), left in 1951.
3. When and where did you enter military Service?
Kansas City, Missouri on 31 October 1951
4. Why did you enter the military?
Drafted during the Korean War
5. Where did you receive military training?
Fort Knox, Kentucky
6. What type of training did you receive?
Basic Combat Infantry, 16 weeks; 6 weeks Leadership Training, Camp
Breckenridge, Kentucky, 101st Airborne
Fort Hood, Texas, 1953, Motor Sergeant
National Guard and Reserve Training, 1953-57
7. When and where did you leave the US for overseas?
Back on active duty April 1957; I left USA May 1957 aboard the USS
UPSURE
8. When and where did you first arrive overseas?
Arrived Bremerhaven, Germany 18 May 1957
9. What were the names of the units you served with?
Units Served With: Basic 122nd Maintenance BN
702nd Armored Inf BN
1st Armor Division (53-57)
33rd Armor BN, 7th Army
Basic Armor Training Unit, Fort Knox, KY (60-63)
7th Army NCO Academy (63-66)
Basic Training Unit, Fort Lewis, WA (66-68)
Co. B, 1/20th Inf., 11th LIB, Vietnam, (69)
10. What were your job duties?
Platoon Guide, Platoon Sergeant, TACT NCO 7th Army NCO Academy,
Tank Commander, 1st Sergeant
11. What were the locations where you served?
Fort Knox, KY - Camp Breckenridge, KY – Fort Hood, TX – Hannua,
Germany – Bad Tolz, Germany – Fort Lewis, WA- Mo Duc, Vietnam
12. What were some memorable places that you were at?
I had family with me while in the military so we tried to make all of the
places memorable. The places that I think were most memorable are
Bad Tolz, Germany and Fort Lewis, Washington.
13. Who were some memorable people that you met?
The most memorable people are those that I have trained. At the 7th
Army NCO Academy I had the opportunity to lecture or talk to
Congressmen and General Officers on the leadership objectives of the
NCO Academy.
14. What were some memorable things that you did or saw?
The most memorable things that I did and saw happened during 1957-
60 when I was a tank commander in Germany. I saw a lot of the East
German border and a lot of different training areas.
15. What was a difficult time or activity?
The most difficult time was when I left for Vietnam and my wife was
pregnant and expecting our eighth child. Need I say more?
16. What was a happy time or activity?
I think happy times were when we got orders to move to a new location
and we were anticipating what to expect. We always kept a positive
attitude.
17. What were the living conditions like?
We moved to different locations with a large family and made out the
best we could. Let me say that it was always livable.
18. How do you feel about your war service?
As a career NCO it was my duty to look out for the welfare of my men
whether it was in training or in combat. As you know, most men that
went to Vietnam were 19 to 21 years old, the youngest of the last wars.
It was tough to see the shine go out of the eyes of the young trooper
kneeling next to you.
19. What awards and decorations did you receive?
I received the CIB, Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Valor, Army
Commendation Medal, and others.
20. What was your highest rank?
First Sergeant E-8 (Top)
21. When and where did you leave military service?
I left the Army on August 25, 1969, at Fort Lewis, Washington-Madigan
General Hospital. This was due to wounds received 3 March 1969. I
stayed in Vietnam for seven days, nine days in Tokyo, and then I was
shipped to Madigan GH the last of March. I was in that hospital until
25 August 1969.
22. Just a little note on what happened on 3 March when I was wounded.
We were ambushed by 130 NV Regulars. There were 24 in the 3rd
Platoon that I was with. There were 5 of my men killed that day, 8 of us
wounded. So you can see we fought for our life. You may have on file
SP4 Lester Stone - Medal of Honor, Dean Moring – DSC (posthumously),
and others who were awarded medals – Silver Star and Bronze Stars.
23. Where did you go and what did you do after leaving the military?
Salt Lake City, Utah – then moved to Logan to attend Utah State
University where I finished my degree in Elementary and Special
Education.
24. What occupation(s) did you have after military service?
Circulation Manager for Salt Lake City newspapers and Real Estate
Sales Associate Broker
25. What are the names of you spouse and children?
Wife: Carolyn, Children: Steven, Deborah, Gregory, Jeffrey, Katherine,
Paul, Joel, Elizabeth, and John
26. What are your hobbies?
Golf and visiting family
27. Did you stay in contact with army buddies?
I have been in contact with only two.
28. Do you participate in veteran’s activities?
I have been commander of DAV Chapter III many times and I am a
member of VFW and the American Legion.
29. Do you have other comments you would like to make?
Keep up the good work. The only way we can see that the veterans keep
their benefits is through the different veteran’s organizations.