Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Winkler
September 29, 1920

–

May 11, 1962

Home:

West Shokan

, 

New York

Buried: 

San Bruno

, 

California

Cemetery:

Golden Gate National Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1951
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 39 (February 6, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Robert Winkler (ASN: 0-1288660), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 16 January 1951, in the vicinity of Kumyangjang-ni, Korea, when a ground task force had been repulsed by enemy action in its efforts to break through enemy lines to rescue a wounded Air Force navigator who had been marooned behind enemy lines for nine days as a result of a forced parachute jump, Captain Winkler, without regard for his own personal safety, volunteered to assist in rescuing the man. Captain Winkler, piloting a helicopter, carried aloft a native Korean and hovered over a native village behind enemy lines while the Korean identified the house sheltering the wounded American, Captain Winkler then returned to friendly lines, picked up another American officer and returned to the native village to effect the rescue. They landed in enemy territory and placed the wounded man aboard. Captain Winkler then flew the wounded man to safety, again returned to the village to get the other officer and fly him to friendly territory. His landing twice in enemy-held territory and his exposure of himself to enemy fire without regard for his own personal safety in rescuing a fellow soldier exemplify the highest traditions of the service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    161st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 2, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 453 (November 30, 1943)

    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) Robert Winkler (ASN: 0-1288660), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near the Munda Airfield, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 2 August 1943. After brilliantly leading his platoon, which had been advancing since dawn in determined stabs against the enemy’s well-concealed last stand near Bilbolo Hill, First Lieutenant Winkler insisted on staying on to take command of fresh troops sent in while mortar fire was being concentrated on the Japanese guns. Leading an assault, he was wounded but continued to direct the disposition of the platoon while lying exposed to heavy fire. Working his way to the rear, he sketched the situation to the battalion commander and, familiar with characteristics of the mission, insisted once again on leading another reserve platoon into position. Tired and with his painful leg wounds hastily bandaged, Lieutenant Winkler stayed in the fight until he had pointed out the position of the enemy to his men and when he had done all that he could, he was evacuated for surgical treatment. First Lieutenant Winkler’s 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 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.