Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Roswell
Winans
December 9, 1887

–

April 7, 1968

Cemetery:

Cypress View Mausoleum

After serving four years in the U.S. Army, Roswell Winans enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1912. He rose to the rank of First Sergeant before he was commissioned a second lieutenant during World War I, being promoted to Captain before that war ended. He was promoted to Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps upon his retirement in 1956.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    5th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (1923)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain Roswell Winans (MCSN: 0-1074), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Winans distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 17th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 15 June 1918, at Belleau Woods, France. Severely wounded in the foot, he refused to be evacuated until the enemy was repulsed and until he had made a personal inspection of the line and found it secure. Refusing assistance, he proceeded to the rear across the shell-swept fields behind Belleau Wood to the evacuation station, thereby aggravating the injury to his foot, sacrificing his own interests to the common cause.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Fifth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6 – July 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918) Captain Roswell Winans (MCSN: 0-1074), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Winans distinguished himself while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Sergeant

    Division:

    Marine Expeditionary Force (Dominican Republic)

    Action Date:

    July 3, 1916
    War Department, General Orders No. 244 (November 2, 1916)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Sergeant Roswell Winans (MCSN: 1074), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Marine Expeditionary Force (Dominican Republic) in action during an engagement at Guayacanas on 3 July 1916. First Sergeant Winans participated in action against a considerable force of rebels on the line of march. During a running fight of 1,200 yards, our forces reached the enemy entrenchments and Corporal Joseph A. Glowin, U.S.M.C., placed the machinegun, of which he had charge, behind a large log across the road and immediately opened fire on the trenches. He was struck once but continued firing his gun, but a moment later he was again struck and had to be dragged out of the position into cover. First Sergeant Winans, U.S.M.C., then arrived with a Colt’s gun which he placed in a most exposed position, coolly opened fire on the trenches and when the gun jammed, stood up and repaired it under fire. All the time Glowin and Winans were handling their guns they were exposed to a very heavy fire which was striking into the logs and around the men, seven men being wounded and one killed within 20 feet. First Sergeant Winans continued firing his gun until the enemy had abandoned the trenches.