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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Theodore Hugh Winters, Jr. (NSN: 0-74935), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Executive Officer of Fighting Squadron NINE (VF-9), attached to the U.S.S. RANGER (CV-4), during the occupation of French Morocco, during the period from 8 to 11 November 1942. Leading three flights of planes in one day, Lieutenant Commander Winters contributed materially to the destruction of fourteen bombers on the ground at the Rabat-Sale airdrome and seven hostile aircraft at Port Lyautey, and to the silencing of an enemy battery near El Hank. Although his plane was hit and he was slightly wounded, he bravely resumed his flight missions without interruption, leading his section in an attack which destroyed twenty hostile planes at Mediouna Airdrome. In the vicinity of Fedala, while supporting our landing operations, he bombed enemy vehicles and ammunition and, on the following day, led five planes in a daring low-altitude raid on hostile destroyers in Casablanca harbor. His superb flying skill was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.