Colonel Robert Sink, the commander of the 506th PIR, recommended Winters for the Medal of Honor, but the award was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross because there was a policy of awarding only one Medal of Honor per division; in the 101st's case, to Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole.
Kolonel Robert Sink, komandan Resimen ke-506, mengajukan Winters untuk menerima Medal of Honor, tetapi diturunkan menjadi Distinguished Service Cross karena kebijakan hanya satu Medal of Honor per divisi; untuk Divisi ke-101 sudah ada Letnan Kolonel Robert G. Cole.