On back-to-back days during World War II, Capt. Theodore Hugh Winters Jr. was cited for his bravery with two Navy Crosses -- the second-highest Naval combat honor behind the Medal of Honor.

The first Cross came from his actions on Oct. 24, 1944, when he led his squadron, Air Group 19, on a strike against a Japanese fleet that resulted in damage to two battleships and four cruisers during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. At the same time, he supplied information about the enemy's status by flying at low levels through intense anti-aircraft fire.

A day later, Capt. Winters led another strike and served as target coordinator against the Japanese fleet off the coast of Formosa. He directed the attacks that resulted in the sinking of three Japanese aircraft carriers, hanging around until all three sank, earning him his second Cross.

Capt. Winters, who retired from the Navy in 1961 after 26 years of service, died April 25 at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg from complications of a stroke. He was 95.

"He was a great leader. I spent 32 years in the Navy, and he was the best leader I ever served with," said Bernard Grabow, who was Capt. Winters' wingman on many occasions.

A native of Society Hill, S.C., Capt. Winters followed in the footsteps of his father -- the late Cmdr. Theodore H. Winters -- when he joined the Navy. Capt. Winters graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935 and served on the USS Pennsylvania, the USS Indianapolis and the USS Hamilton before becoming a naval aviator in June 1938.

Besides the Navy Cross, Capt. Winters also earned three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross among other decorations.

As skipper of Air Group 19, Capt. Winters and his squadron were based on the USS Lexington. During five months of action in 1944, the squadron accounted for the sinking of 12 warships and downing of 167 Japanese planes.

Capt. Winters himself reached the elite status of ace with eight confirmed victories against Japanese aircraft.

"He was a man very well thought of by everyone. He was a real pro; he didn't go for a lot of heroics," said Bruce Williams, who also served in Air Group 19.

After WWII, Capt. Winters remained in the Navy; he served as skipper of the USS Roosevelt and later chief of staff to the commander of the Air Forces Atlantic Fleet. He also helped form the famed Blue Angels, the Navy's flight-demonstration squadron.

Capt. Winters remained close to those he served with, especially those of Air Group 19.

"He just knew how to get us together and build camaraderie," said Charles Phillips, a member of the squadron.

At the behest of his squadron mates, Capt. Winters wrote a book, "Skipper: Confessions of a Fighter Squadron Commander 1943-1944," that detailed the squadron's experiences.

An avid fisherman, Capt. Winters enjoyed spending time on the water with a fly rod in his hand.

Capt. Winters' survivors include his wife of 72 years, Hellen Purkrabek Winters of Lynchburg; three daughters, Susan Winters McKenry of Virginia Beach, Holly Winters Perrow of Lynchburg and Hamlin Winters Harritos of Clemson, S.C.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. in the Old Post Chapel of Arlington National Cemetery. Burial will follow the service.