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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Sanford H. Winston (Weinstein) (ASN: 0-442715), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division. On 19 March 1945 Lieutenant Weinstein, a Rifle Platoon Leader, was participating in an attack against a heavily fortified enemy position on the top of a barren razor back ridge in the vicinity of Bue Bue Mountain, Mountain Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands. The top of the ridge was about five yards in width, allowing only four men to advance at the same time. The enemy was entrenched and fortified for all around defense, with a clear field of fire. Lieutenant Weinstein was one of the first four men to assault the enemy position and as they moved forward on the narrow ridge, they were met with intense machine gun and grenade fire. Two men were killed instantly, a third man was seriously wounded. Lieutenant Weinstein, with complete disregard for personal safety, continued to advance to within 15 yards of the enemy position and threw a smoke grenade to mark the enemy target. He then returned to his fallen comrades and helped with their evacuation out of range of friendly mortar fire, which he planned to use on the enemy position. Lieutenant Weinstein and the men helping him to evacuate the casualties, were continually harassed by enemy machine gun and rifle fire. The evacuation was completed and Lieutenant Weinstein returned to his former position fifteen yards from the enemy position. He signaled for our own mortar fire to commence and remained in this position, directing mortar fire until the enemy position was destroyed. Returning to his men, he led in the mopping up of the remaining enemy riflemen. Lieutenant Weinstein’s bravery, calmness under enemy fire, and zealous devotion to duty was a source of great inspiration to the officers and men of his organization, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    136th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    33d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 12, 1945
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 84 (1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Sanford H. Weinstein (Winston) (ASN: 0-442715), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 May 1945, at Luzon, Philippine Islands. When two assault platoons of Company C were directed to launch a diversionary attack against strongly defended enemy hill positions atop Skyline Ridge near Lawican, Luzon, Philippine Islands, Captain Weinstein, Executive Officer, led the advance to within a short distance of the objective when sudden hostile machine gun, mortar, and rifle fire from a reinforced enemy company on the left flank and to the front struck down half his force. Immediately discarding his carbine, although wounded in the hand and leg by enemy mortar fragments, Captain Weinstein grasped an automatic rifle from one of the dead and dashed forward through intense hostile fire to close with the enemy. Firing from the hip as he ran, he reached a point 25 yards from the attackers and, standing upright despite the withering enemy fire which tore his helmet from his head and cut his canteen from his belt, killed at least ten of the enemy including the crew of a machine gun which he destroyed with a grenade. The enemy, stopped by his vicious onslaught, turned and fled, and he then directed his remaining troops to evacuate the wounded from the field. When the foe again attacked, Captain Weinstein skillfully and courageously led his men in a withdrawal through a gauntlet of hostile fire. Through his inspiring leadership and determination to destroy the enemy regardless of his own safety, Captain Weinstein saved more than 20 of his wounded men from probable death at the hands of the enemy and upheld the finest traditions of the military service. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 33d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    November 1962 – April 1964
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 22 (June 30, 1964)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Sanford H. Winston (Weinstein) (ASN: 0-442715), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Army News Desk, Directorate for News Services, and Army Representative, Directorate for Plans and Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), during the period November 1962 to April 1964. Colonel Winston’s mature judgment, discernment, professional competence, and unique talent in the field of public relations were of great significance to the timely and accurate dissemination of information world-wide. His keen perception, objectivity, and well-calculated planning were reflected in the judicious evaluation of staff operations which aligned the public affairs functions of the Unified and Specified Commands; in the outstanding manner in which he planned and directed the publicity aspects of the first major strategic mobility exercise, Operation BIG LIFT; and in the harmonious working relationships which he fostered while participating in inter-service matters. By his diplomacy, professional acumen, and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of objectives of great significance to the Army, the Department of Defense, and the Nation. Colonel Winston’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.