Robert Sink
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
Robert Sink | |
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| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
Robert Frederick Sink (April 3, 1905 – December 13, 1965) 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, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Early career
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Sink attended
.Sink later took assignments in
In November 1937, after assignment to the
World War II
In 1940, Sink was assigned to the
Sink later commanded the
Postwar career
On August 12, 1945, Sink was named assistant division commander of the
Sink returned to the United States and became assistant division commander of the
Sink 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 (STRAC), United States Army. His last major role was as commander of U.S. forces in Panama (CinC, Caribbean Command, Quarry Heights, Canal Zone), a post he held until his retirement in 1961 due to poor health.[4]
Sink retired in 1961 as a lieutenant general. He died at Fort Bragg in December 1965 of pulmonary emphysema[4] and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Sink was married and had three children.
Awards and decorations
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| Badge | Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
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| Badge | Master Parachutist Badge with two combat jump stars | |||||||||||
| 1st row | oak leaf clusters
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Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster | Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| 2nd row | Air Medal with oak leaf cluster | Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster |
American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | ||||||||
| 3rd row | service stars and arrowhead device
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World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp |
National Defense Service Medal | ||||||||
| 4th row | Korean Service Medal | Distinguished Service Order (Britain) | Order of Leopold, Officer with Palm (Belgium) |
WWII War Cross with Palm (Belgium) | ||||||||
| 5th row | WWII War Cross with bronze Palm (France) |
Bronze Lion (The Netherlands) | Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea)
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United Nations Korea Medal
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| Fourragère (Belgium) | ||||||||||||
Dates of rank
United States Military Academy cadet – Class of 1927
| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
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Second lieutenant |
Regular Army | 14 June 1927 |
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First lieutenant |
Regular Army | 31 August 1933 |
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Captain | Regular Army | 13 June 1937 |
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Major | Army of the United States | 31 January 1941 |
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Lieutenant Colonel |
Army of the United States | 1 February 1942 |
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Colonel | Army of the United States | 3 November 1942 |
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Brigadier General |
Army of the United States | August 1945 |
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Major General |
Army of the United States | 11 April 1948 |
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Lieutenant General |
Army of the United States | 8 September 1959 |
Legacy
- LTC Robert F. Sink Library at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was dedicated in 1967.[5]
- COL. Robert Sink Memorial Trail up Currahee Mountain in Toccoa, Georgia, was dedicated on November 4, 2000.[6]
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Colonel Robert Sink Memorial Trail marker -
Banner of Robert Sink in Angoville-au-Plain, France
In popular culture
- The character of "Colonel Robert Stout" in the film A Bridge Too Far (1977), played by Elliott Gould, is based on Sink.[citation needed]
- Robert Sink was portrayed in the on the series).
- Robert Sink was also portrayed in the video game Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, also played by Dale Dye.
References
- ^ Cullum, George Washington (1930). Donaldson, William H. (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VII: 1920–1930. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 2074. Retrieved January 4, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "TheHistoryNet – World War II – Dick Winters: Reflections on the Band of Brothers, D-Day and Leadership". Archived from the original on June 20, 2007.
- ISBN 978-0-425-20813-7.
- ^ a b "Robert Frederick Sink Papers - Collection Guides".
- ^ "LTC Robert F. Sink Library". Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ^ "The Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail Historical Marker".
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