Robert Sink


Robert Frederick Sink was a senior United States Army officer who fought during World War II, and the Korean War though he was most famous for his command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, throughout most of World War II, in France, Holland and Belgium.

Early career

Sink attended Duke University for one year before securing an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in the West Point Class of 1927, 174th in a Class of 203 and commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Sink's initial assignment was to the 8th Infantry Regiment in Fort Screven, Georgia as a second lieutenant.
Sink took assignments in Puerto Rico, at the Army Chemical Warfare School, at Fort Meade, 34th Infantry Regiment, with the Civilian Conservation Corps at McAlevys Fort, Pennsylvania, and returned to the 34th Infantry Regiment before heading off to attend the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In November 1937, after assignment to the 57th Infantry Regiment at Fort William McKinley, in the Philippines, Sink returned to the United States and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Regiment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served successively as company commander and regimental operations officer.

World War II

In 1940, he was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning. Sink became one of the four percent of the army's paratroopers qualified as a master parachutist and celebrated his birthday each year by making another jump.
He later commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and Regiment. In July 1942, he was named as commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Georgia; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sink commanded the 506th throughout World War II, turning down two promotions during the war to remain with the unit. He became a close personal friend to Major Richard Winters. He made two combat jumps in command of the 506th, and commanded the regiment at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

Postwar career

On August 12, 1945, Sink was named assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division. In December 1945, Sink returned to the United States, and the following month assumed command of the infantry detachment of the United States Military Academy. He entered the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. in August 1948, graduating in June 1949. Sink then was transferred to the Ryukyus Command, and became chief of staff in October 1949. In January 1951, he was named assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Korea.
He returned to the United States and became assistant division commander of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in December 1951. In February 1953, he assumed command at the 7th Armored Division at Camp Roberts, California. In November 1953, he became commanding general of the 44th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. In October 1954, Sink was assigned to the Joint Airborne Troop Board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In early 1955, he was transferred to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and in April 1955 assumed the dual functions of chairman of the United States Delegation to the Joint Brazil-United States Military Commission and chief of army section, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Brazil.
He returned to the United States and assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg in May 1957. In May 1958, he was announced as commander, Strategic Army Corps, United States Army. His last major role was as commander of US forces in Panama.
Sink retired in 1961 as a lieutenant general.
He died in December 1965 and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Family

Sink was married and had three children.

Awards and decorations

Dates of rank

– Class of 1927
InsigniaRankComponentDate
Second lieutenantRegular Army14 June 1927
First lieutenantRegular Army31 August 1933
CaptainRegular Army13 June 1937
MajorArmy of the United States31 January 1941
Lieutenant colonelArmy of the United States1 February 1942
ColonelArmy of the United States3 November 1942
Major generalArmy of the United States11 April 1948
Lieutenant generalArmy of the United States8 September 1959

Organizations