1. 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, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Robert Sink graduated 174th in West Point's 203-member class of 1927.
Robert Sink later 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, Robert Sink returned to the United States and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Regiment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served as company commander and then as regimental operations officer.
In 1940, Robert Sink was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning.
Robert 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.
Robert Sink later commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and Regiment.
Robert Sink commanded the 506th throughout World War II, turning down two promotions during the war to remain with the unit.
Robert Sink made two combat jumps in command of the 506th, and commanded the regiment at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
On 12 August 1945, Robert Sink was named assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division.
In December 1945, Robert Sink returned to the United States, and the following month assumed command of the infantry detachment of the United States Military Academy.
Robert Sink entered the National War College at Fort Lesley J McNair in Washington, DC in August 1948, graduating in June 1949.
Robert Sink then was transferred to the Ryukyus Command, and became chief of staff in October 1949.
Robert Sink returned to the United States and became assistant division commander of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in December 1951.
In October 1954, Robert Sink was assigned to the Joint Airborne Troop Board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Robert Sink returned to the United States and assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg in May 1957.
Robert Sink died at Fort Bragg in December 1965 of pulmonary emphysema and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.