Band of Brothers mini series - strangecharms
Band of Brothers mini series - strangecharms
Band of Brothers mini series - strangecharms
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Robert Sink 27<br />
television <strong>mini</strong><strong>series</strong> <strong>Band</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Brothers</strong> by Captain Dale Dye.<br />
Early career<br />
Sink attended Duke University (then known as Trinity College) for one year before securing an appointment to the<br />
United States Military Academy. He graduated with the West Point Class <strong>of</strong> 1927, 174th in a Class <strong>of</strong> 203 (Cullum<br />
Number 8196) and commissioned as an Infantry Officer. Sink's initial assignment was to the 8th Infantry Regiment<br />
in Fort Screven, Georgia as a second lieutenant.<br />
Sink took assignments in Puerto Rico (1929, 65th Infantry Regiment), at the Army Chemical Warfare School (1932),<br />
at Fort Meade (1932), 34th Infantry Regiment, with the Civilian Conservation Corps (1933 at McAlevy's Fort,<br />
Pennsylvania), and returned to the 34th Infantry Regiment before heading <strong>of</strong>f to attend the United States Army<br />
Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia (1935).<br />
In November 1937, after assignment to the 57th Infantry Regiment at Fort William McKinley, in the Philippines,<br />
Sink returned to the United States and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Regiment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where<br />
he served successively as company commander and regimental operations <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />
World War II<br />
In 1940, he was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning. Sink became one <strong>of</strong> the four<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> the army's paratroopers qualified as a master parachutist and celebrated his birthday each year by making<br />
another jump.<br />
He later commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and (later) Regiment. In July 1942 he was named as<br />
commander <strong>of</strong> the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Toccoa, Georgia; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Bragg,<br />
North Carolina. Sink commanded the 506th throughout World War II, turning down two promotions during the war<br />
to remain with the unit [1] (the regiment sometimes being referred to as the "Five-Oh-Sink') and became a close<br />
personal friend to Major Richard Winters. He made two combat jumps in command <strong>of</strong> the 506th (D-Day and<br />
Operation Market Garden), and commanded the Regiment at Bastogne during the Battle <strong>of</strong> the Bulge.<br />
Post war career<br />
On August 12, 1945, Sink was named assistant division commander <strong>of</strong> the 101st Airborne Division. In December<br />
1945, Sink returned to the United States, and the following month assumed command <strong>of</strong> the infantry detachment <strong>of</strong><br />
the United States Military Academy. He entered the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington,<br />
D.C. in August 1948, graduating in June 1949. Sink then was transferred to the Ryukyus Command, and became<br />
chief <strong>of</strong> staff in October 1949. In January 1951, he was named assistant division commander <strong>of</strong> the 7th Infantry<br />
Division in Korea.<br />
He returned to the United States and became assistant division commander <strong>of</strong> the 11th Airborne Division at Fort<br />
Campbell, Kentucky, in December 1951. In February 1953, he assumed command at the 7th Armored Division at<br />
Camp Roberts, California. In November 1953, he became commanding general <strong>of</strong> the 44th Infantry Division at Fort<br />
Lewis, Washington. In October 1954, Sink was assigned to the Joint Airborne Troop Board at Fort Bragg, North<br />
Carolina. In early 1955, he was transferred to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and in April 1955 assumed the dual functions <strong>of</strong><br />
chairman <strong>of</strong> the United States Delegation to the Joint Brazil-United States Military Commission and chief <strong>of</strong> army<br />
section, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Brazil.<br />
He returned to the United States and assumed command <strong>of</strong> the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg in May 1957.<br />
In May 1958, he was announced as commander, Strategic Army Corps (STRAC), United States Army. His last<br />
major role was as commander <strong>of</strong> US forces in Panama (CinC, Caribbean Command, Quarry Heights, Canal Zone).<br />
Lieutenant General Robert Frederick Sink retired in 1961, and died four years later in 1965.