Christopher Michael Winters was born on January 2, 1950. His home of record is Rutherford, NJ.

Christopher attended Rutherford High School. He played Little League baseball. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.

Winters served in the US Army where he attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4). He served with the 196th Light Infantry Americal Division.

He was killed in action in Vietnam on May 15, 1971. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

Winters was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star and the Sharpshooter Medal.

My brother, Chris, was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, NJ. Chris was one of three sons born to my parents, John and Lillian Winters, between 1948 and 1951. My oldest brother, John served with the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Corps in the Republic of Vietnam, 1968-1969. I received orders for Vietnam in December 1970. Chris enlisted in the US Army in February 1969, and trained as an infantryman at Fort Gordon, GA.

After A.I.T., Chris received orders for Germany and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, which did not serve in Vietnam. Chris wanted to be where he believed his country needed him most so he volunteered to go to Vietnam in July 1970, and received orders to go in August 1970. In January 1971, Chris was severely wounded in his foot or leg; fragmentation wound from a rocket, mortar or R.P.G., I’m not sure which.

Chris was returned to duty and on May 15, 1971, was on patrol in Chu Lai in II Corps. This was a Saturday morning at or about 10:30 am. Apparently, my brother’s squad encountered hostile VC or NVA, probably NVA, and received small arms fire and R.P.G.s. Chris was killed early in the action and according to his CO did not suffer. I often feel to this day that because of my brother’s death, I am alive today. My two brothers and I were all on the same Farm League baseball Club, National Farm Leagues Champs in Rutherford, NJ, in 1960. I guess we were all fairly typical American kids for the times. I will always remember our camping trips to Sciota, PA. (Monroe County) and our trout fishing excursions to the Rockaway River in what was then Rural Morris County, NJ.

Written by Tony Winters, Brother

Sources: Tony Winters (brother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024