Col. Paul Patton Winkel Jr. ¹

  General Notes:

Obituary
Paul Patton Winkel, Jr., age 90, passed away at his home in Sterling, Virginia, on September 16, 2021. His strong heart finally gave way.

Paul spent 31 years in the Army, having graduated from West Point in 1956. He was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war, served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and with the 1st Cavalry Division in combat. He participated as Flight Leader of 4 helicopters in one of the most vicious battles of the Vietnam war described in Moore and Galloway's We Were Soldiers Once… and Young (Random House, 1992) and depicted in Mel Gibson's 2002 movie, We Were Soldiers Once. He was awarded several medals, including the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, and Air medals for Valor, Meritorious Service, Joint Service commendations, and a Presidential Unit citation.

Paul was married for almost 29 years to Rita Hoffman Winkel. He is also survived by his son, Paul P. Winkel, III, his daughter, Heather P. Winkel, his nephew, Eric M. Orr, and niece, Valerie B. Dillon. Paul was also beloved by his stepchildren and grandchildren. He was a good father and husband, a strong, honorable man.

Paul and Rita were avid volleyball players and annually competed in the Senior Olympics, the US Open, and the Huntsman games in St. George, Utah. They traveled extensively, often to Europe. In between their many travels, Paul worked diligently on making sure that others he had served with in Vietnam received the recognition they deserved. He also wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Air Assault "Slicks" at War, which is soon to be published.

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Paul Patton Winkel
Paul Winkel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956. He retired as a U.S. Army Colonel.

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 3

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Battalion: 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion
Division: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Permanent Orders 86-2 (March 27, 1997)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Paul Patton Winkel, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight. Captain Winkel, assigned to Company A, 5th Infantry Regiment, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), United States Army, Vietnam, distinguished himself at Landing Zone X-RAY, in the Ia Drang valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 November 1965. On this date, serving as Section Commander of 4 UH-1D helicopters in support of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment who was engaged in mortal combat with an estimated two North Vietnamese regiments, he led his section of 10 sorties into a very hostile and intense battle area under the most extreme and perilous conditions. He evacuated twelve seriously wounded soldiers. His intrepidity was conspicuous when due to the urgency of the situation, he switched aircraft and voluntarily led a flight of two back to the battle area to an emergency Landing Zone that had been hastily prepared by the ground commander. Upon departure from this sortie, his trail helicopter was hit by enemy fire, he unhesitatingly, with utter disregard for his own safety, returned to the downed helicopter, extracted its crew of four and an additional six wounded who were on board. Captain Winkel consistently displayed acts of personal bravery so conspicuous that he incontestably stood above his comrades with extraordinary merit. Each of his ten sorties was accomplished under extremely perilous conditions. His gallantry and high degree of heroism coupled with his selfless acts and intrepidity were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.


Paul Patton Winkel
Paul Winkel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956. He retired as a U.S. Army Colonel.

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:2 of 3

Legion of Merit

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Major
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major (Transportation Corps) Paul Patton Winkel, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period July 1968 to July 1969, while serving consecutively as Analysis Officer, Analysis and Management Division, Aviation Section, Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam; and as Commanding Officer, 765th Transportation Battalion (Aircraft Maintenance and Supply) (General Support), 34th General Support in the Republic of Vietnam. Demonstrating remarkable leadership abilities and rare judgment, Major Winkel came to be known as the hallmark of professional skill and competence while serving in each of these key positions of responsibility. His inherent ability to grasp and analyze problems of grave and far-reaching consequence enabled him to render flawless decisions. He provided firm and positive command and technical guidance to his staff and unit commanders while at the same time allowing them sufficient latitude to develop operating procedures peculiar to their particular areas of operation. Major Winkel continually displayed a high level of foresight and organizational ability which proved instrumental in the unit's unprecedented level of accomplishment during a critical period of combat activity. Through his initiative, resourcefulness, adaptability to change and readiness to resort to the expedient, he has materially contributed to the Free World effort in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Winkel's professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Paul Patton Winkel
Paul Winkel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956. He retired as a U.S. Army Colonel.

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:3 of 3

Legion of Merit

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Peace Time Awards
Service: Army
Rank: Colonel
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Patton Winkel, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1 June 1976 to 30 June 1986 while assigned as: Branch Chief, Office Deputy Chief of Staff (ODCS) Logistics, United States Army (Europe); Chief, Command and Control (C2) Group, Central Army Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Project Officer, C3, Systems Directorate, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chief, International Programs, ODCS Research and Development, Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA); and Special Assistant to Director, United States Army Concepts Analysis Agency, HQDA. Throughout his distinguished career, Colonel Winkel's professional service was characterized by exacting standards of excellence, exceptional performance, and skilled leadership. Colonel Winkel's outstanding accomplishments reflect great credit upon him and the United States Army. ³

  Noted events in his life were:

• Military: U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956, 1956, West Point, , New York, USA.

• Military: Silver Star, 14 Nov 1965, Ia Drang valley, Republic of Vietnam.

• Military: Legion of Merit, Between Jul 1968 and Jul 1969, Republic of Vietnam.

• Military: Legion of Merit, Between 1 Jun 1976 and 30 Jun 1986.

Col. married Living

Col. next married Living

Col. next married Living