Donald G. Winn- Host

I am the 4th of 7 children born to Marion T. Winn and Patricia A. (Miller) Winn. My father passed when I was 11 years old leaving my mother to raise their 7 children. That same year my father passed away, our home burnt to the ground, those were very hard times but my mom kept strong and worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs to keep us together, clothed and fed.

I had a lot of freedom from a watchful mother because she was working so many jobs to keep up with 7 kids. After a semester of college I found I could not afford to stay enrolled, was probably not far from getting into trouble with the law, so I decided it was best for me to enlist into the Army.

May 13th 1975 I enlisted in the Army. After basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, I went to Fort Lewis and served in the 9th Infantry Division as an 11B Infantryman in a Company 3rd /47th Infantry (Foot Cavalry).

While at Ft. Lewis Washington I participated in many Field Training Exercises (FTX) at Fort Lewis, Yakama Firing Center, 29 Palms, the National Training Center and a rotation in Alaska for Operation Jack Frost.

1979, I re-enlisted and became an Air Traffic Controller where I went on to serve in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell Kentucky.

1981, My son, Garrett Edward Winn was born at Fort Campbell Kentucky. Wife #1

1981, I had a permanent change of station to the 125th Air Traffic Control (ATC) Battalion in South Korea.

In Korea I was the Distinguished Graduate of the Primary Leadership Course at Camp Red Cloud.

1983, I went back to Fort Rucker, Alabama and served as an instructor and became the first leader of the Aviation Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course.

During my stint at Ft. Rucker, I went to Air Assault School and was also chosen as Non-Commissioned Officer of the year for the Aviation Branch of the Army Aviation Association of America.

1987, My daughter, Catherine Opal Winn born at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Wife #2

1989, I was transferred to a 1-year tour at Soto Cano Airbase in Honduras (JTF-B) MI Battalion LI. While in Honduras I participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama. 1990, after returning from Honduras, 

I was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, North Carolina and served in multiple roles but my tour was highlighted when I served as a 1SG, Senior Jump Master and the Aviation Brigade Operations Sergeant Major.

I served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. This photo is with my daughter Catherine, my duffel bags in background.  I am headed to Saudi Arabia (Operation Desert Shield) I was there for 8 months.

I attended many schools to include Airborne School, Jump Master Course, Master Fitness Training and the First Sergeant Unit Administration.

1996, after 20+ years I retired from the US Army as a 1SG.

• Meritorious Service Medal (2)
• Army Commendation Medal (2)
• Army Achievement Medal (2)
• Good Conduct Medal (6)
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Medal with 2 Bronze Service Star (BSS)
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon (2)
• Kuwait Liberation Medal
• Senior Parachutist Badge
• Air Assault Badge
• Expert Rifleman Badge

I have spent the last 27 years post retirement in the Technical Field in the Research Triangle Area. I worked at at MCI, Nortel, Connexions Technologies, Hotwire Communications, Spectrum and currently the CAS Group.

1996, I earned a Bachelor of Science in General Business from Excelsior College.

1999, I earned an Executive MBA from Wake Forest University.

2014, I married wife #3, three times a charm.

2018, I started volunteering at the USO. While volunteering at the USO, I am fortunate get to talk with many soldiers and have always been surprised that many of these stories their own families have never heard. I have always loved talking to soldiers; this is when Soldiers Stories Podcast was born.

COVID: I stopped Podcasting during this time

2023, at 68 years around the universe, I live with my beautiful wife #3 (and the last; yes I plan on this one for the rest of my life) and step daughter in North Carolina in the IT field. I have 2 children, 2 step children and 3 amazing grandchildren. I am still working but edging very close to retirement. I had a triple bypass this last January and am working on life changes.

SPECIAL NOTE: I am so very thankful that I am still here today. I found out about the blockages ONLY because we went to a home show and they were signing people up for a chest and lung scan special (low dose CT scan). I highly suggest this test if you have never had one!