WINTER, BURDELL S. "BUD"

Collection

Identifier: TMD79

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

Burdell S. Winter's correspondence to and from family members during World War II comprises the bulk of the collection. Limited correspondence related toother family members is also included. Biographical material includes newspaper clippings, press releases, military records, letters of recommendation and insurance forms related to his combat death during the 10th Mountain Division's Italian Campaign. Limited photographs document Winter's youthful athletic activities and his military training.

SERIES 1 PERSONAL PAPERS 1924-2008 BOX 1-2

Burdell S. Winter's correspondence to and from family members during World War II forms the bulk of this series. Most letters are addressed to individual family members.However, certain letters are addressed simply to the family. These letters are filed under Winter Family correspondence. Limited additional correspondence between family members and numerous bereavement letters received by Winter's parents are also included. Biographical information related to Winter's early schooling, athletic activities, military training and his death in combat forms an additional portion of the series.

SERIES 2 PHOTOGRAPHS CIRCA 1930-1989 BOX 2

Limited Winter Family photographs and photographs of Burdell Winter's youthful athletic activities comprise the bulk of the series. Color photographs of Uncle Bud's Hut are also included.

SERIES 3 OVERSIZE CIRCA 1989 OVBOX 1

A single scrapbook, contained in a three-ring binder, forms the series. The scrapbook includes copies of photos, excerpts from Winter's letters, tributes, press releases, eulogies and additional information related to Uncle Bud's Hut.

Dates

1924-2008

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Burdell S. “Bud” Winter was born in Schenectady, New York, November 29, 1924, the son of Fred H. and Effie K. Winter. Even before he volunteered for the U.S. Army’s ski troops in 1943, Winter was well-versed in skiing and mountain climbing. He was captain of the Mont Pleasant High School ski team (today Mont Pleasant Middle School, Schenectady, New York), where he was coached by Dorothy Hoyt Nebel, a mathematics teacher and member of the 1940 American Olympic ski team. As a teenager, Winter was listed among the twenty best skiers in America.

Winter graduated from Schenectady’s Van Antwerp School June 21, 1940. He enlisted in the Army May 14, 1943 and reported for active duty May 21. Upon joining the “ski troops” at Camp Hale, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (10th Recon), which was responsible for much of the Division’s early training. Winter played an important role in the 10th Recon’s historic trek from Leadville to Aspen, where he acquired the name “Rugged Winter.” Despite being the youngest member of the 10th Recon, Winter was one of the unit's top rated instructors. While serving at Camp Hale, he was granted a pass to take part in the Alta Cup races, an annual invitation event at Salt Lake City, Utah, where he placed sixth in the slalom race.

After rapid promotion to corporal, Winter was selected for officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant November 16, 1944, at age nineteen, and specifically requested to be returned to the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Swift, Texas. Winter was assigned as platoon leader with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment.

During the Division’s first major battle, Winter was wounded in action February 20, 1945. He received 21 shrapnel fragments in his chest, and required two operations for removal. Winter recovered and returned to his unit in time to take part in the final major offensive in Italy. He was killed in action April 14, 1945 near Castel d’Aiano, Italy. His remains were initially interred at the military cemetery at Castelfiorentino, Italy and were later removed to the Florence American Military Cemetery.

On October 8, 1989, Uncle Bud’s Hut, the tenth hut built by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association was dedicated in Burdell S. "Bud" Winter’s honor.

Extent

2 Boxes

1 OVBox

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Other Finding Aids

For location information, refer to the Denver Public Library Catalog.

PROVENANCE:

Gift; Fred S. Winter (brother); onated materials in 1994, 1996, 2007 and 2008.

SELECTION OF RELATED MATERIAL

The Western History/Genealogy Department has additional material related to Burdell S. "Bud" Winter including:

10th Mountain Division Records TMD1

10th Mountain Division Database Records TMD2

National Association of the 10th Mountain Division Records TMD40

10th Mountain Division Hut Association Records 1980-2012 WH1872