The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Theodore Hugh Winters, Jr. (NSN: 0-74935), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area, from 10 to 13 October 1944. Intercepting a hostile twin-engined craft flying directly toward his Task Force on 12 October, Commander Winters promptly engaged the enemy in fierce combat to shoot him from the sky in flames. Two days later when his group encountered numerically superior enemy fighters having altitude advantage, he immediately dived to the assistance of four friendly planes and, despite the overwhelming odds, attacked the Japanese aircraft with deadly and accurate counterfire and, although his own plane was set on fire and severely damaged, succeeded in annihilating two of the hostile planes, probably another and routing the remainder. Despite hazardous cloud formations in mountainous territory and fiercely opposing anti-aircraft fire during a mission the following day, Commander Winters courageously sought out and marked a target by a heavy strafing attack, enabling our forces to make an effective dive bombing strike upon a dangerous and highly camouflaged installation. His superb airmanship, aggressiveness and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Theodore Hugh Winters, Jr. (NSN: 0-74935), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Target Coordinator and Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 5 November 1944. Sighting an enemy heavy cruiser and destroyer in Manila Bay, Commander Winters directed skillful attacks against both enemy vessels and personally executed a series of strafing runs over the destroyer in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, thereby contributing in large measure to the sinking of the ships. Subsequently intercepting a group of enemy fighter planes, he closed with the hostile aircraft and, pressing home his attacks with determination, personally shot down one of the enemy planes and assisted in breaking up of a concentrated attack. His airmanship and devotion to duty throughout these hazardous operations were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.