Edward G. Winters, III

Edward G. Winters III (born June 26, 1956) is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who commanded the Naval Special Warfare Command from Sept. 2008 to June 2011. He also previously served as commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2003 to 2005.

Edward G. Winters, III
Born (1956-06-26) June 26, 1956 (age 67)
Hanover, New Hampshire
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1980–2013
RankRear admiral
Commands heldDEVGRU
SEAL Team 4
Naval Special Warfare Command
Battles/warsOperation Joint Forge
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Websitehttp://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=482

Naval career edit

Edward Winters graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979 and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School in 1980. Winters then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and graduated from BUD/S class 112 in May 1981. Winter's first assignment was to Underwater Demolition Team Twenty Two (UDT-22) at Little Creek, Virginia, later redesignated as SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two in 1983.[1] In December 1983, Winters volunteered for assignment to SEAL Team Six at Dam Neck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course. Winters served at SEAL Team Six as element leader, assault team leader and operations officer till April 1989, during which time he planned, rehearsed and operated during classified exercises and operations including the Achille Lauro hijacking.[2] Winters was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in 1989 as the Joint Special Operations Command's liaison and action officer till 1991, when he was assigned as executive officer of SEAL Team FOUR. He later went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.[3] Winters served another tour with DEVGRU from February 1995 to March 1998 as operations officer until taking command of SEAL Team FOUR from March 1998 till March 2000. Captain Winters then reported to Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in 2001 at Fort Bragg as the deputy operations officer and completed multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Winters was promoted to captain in June 2002.[4] Winters relieved Joseph D. Kernan in 2003 as commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Development Group until 2005. From April 2007 to June 2008 Winters deployed to Iraq as commander of the Iraqi National Counterterrorism Force Transition Team. Between September 2008 and June 30, 2011, Winters served as the commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Command. From 2012 to 2013 he served as director of operations, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He retired from active duty on 31 Aug 2013 after 33 years of service.

This article contains material from the United States Federal Government and is in the public domain.

Awards and decorations edit

U.S. military decorations
Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards)
  Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three 3/16 inch stars
  Meritorious Service Medal
  Joint Service Commendation
  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  Navy Achievement Medal
  Presidential Unit Citation
  Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  Navy Unit Commendation
  Navy Expeditionary Medal
U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons
National Defense Service Medal with service star
  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  Humanitarian Service Medal
  Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia
  Navy Rifle Marksmanship Badge
  Navy Pistol Marksmanship Badge
U.S. badges, patches and tabs
  SEAL Trident
  Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
  United States Special Operations Command Badge

References edit

  1. ^ "REAR ADMIRAL EDWARD G. WINTERS, III UNITED STATES NAVY". Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. ^ "rear admiral Edward Winters". Archived from the original on 2021-03-29. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  3. ^ "The misuse of special operations forces" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2005.
  4. ^ "SUBJ/ACTIVE DUTY PROMOTIONS TO THE PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY GRADES OF CAPTAIN, COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, AND LIEUTENANT, LINE AND STAFF CORPS, AND CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER W4, AND W3//". Retrieved 8 June 2010.

External links edit