Robert Sink

Robert Frederick Sink (3 April 1905 – 13 December 1965) was an American soldier who served as an officer in the United States Army from 1927 to 1961. His most notable command was of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II, which fought in Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden, and the Western Allied invasion of Germany. He also served as an assistant division commander during the Korean War, and held an array of high-ranking staff positions until his retirement as a lieutenant general.

Early life and education

Sink was born in Lexington, North Carolina, to Frederick Obediah and Mary Wilson (Cecil) Sink. Frederick was the owner and publisher of The Dispatch newspaper in Lexington. Sink entered Trinity College (now Duke University) in 1922 before being appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1923. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1927, ranking 174th out of 203 cadets.

Career Early career After graduation from West Point, Sink was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to the 8th Infantry Regiment at Fort Screven, Georgia.

World War II In 1940, Sink joined the Army's fledgling paratrooper force and was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning. Sink subsequently commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion before assuming command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, in July 1942. In December 1942, Sink read in Reader's Digest about a Japanese army battalion that marched in 70 hours. Not to be outdone, he ordered the 2nd Battalion of the 506th to march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta, covering 118 miles in 75 hours. The regiment was attached to the 101st Airborne Division on 1 June 1943 and arrived in England in September and was billeted in the Wiltshire villages of Aldbourne, Chilton Foliat, Froxfield, and Ramsbury.

On D-Day, Sink parachuted into Normandy from the lead plane of the 439th Troop Carrier Group. He commanded the 506th until the final month of World War II, Sink's drinking earned him the nickname "Bourbon Bob", but Major Richard Winters said he believed it did not affect his leadership.

Personal life and death

Sink married Margaret Elizabeth Coe in 1932. They had three children together before Margaret died in 1963. In 1964, Sink married Grace (Gall) Cannon and became step-father to her two children. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy General Maxwell D. Taylor, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, said of Sink: "He was among the bravest, most able men I knew—exposed himself to enemy fire more than anyone in the division." Taylor said with regret that Sink deserved a wartime promotion, but the promotion of Gerald J. Higgins to brigadier general as Taylor's assistant division commander after the death of Don Pratt prevented any further promotions of colonels in the 101st. Sink is also featured prominently in the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, where he is played by Dale Dye.

Awards and decorations Sources: alt=A metal device depicting a blue bar with a rifle, in front of a wreath of silver leaves.

Dates of rank Source: