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Born April 3, 1905, in Lexington, NC, Robert Frederick Sink began his military career upon graduation from West Point in 1927. His first assignment as a Second Lieutenant was with the Eight Infantry at Fort Screven, GA. In November 1929, he was assigned to the 65th Infantry at San Juan, Puerto Rico. In March 1932, he joined the 34th Infantry at Fort Meade, MD, and remained with this unit until July 1933, when he was assigned to duty with the Civilian Conservation Corps at McAlevy's Fort, PA until December of that same year. He then returned to the 34th Infantry.
Following graduation from the Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, in September 1934, he was assigned to the 57th Infantry at Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands. He returned to the United States in November 1937, and was assigned to the 25th Infantry at Fort Huachuca, AZ, where he served successively as Company Commander and Regimental Operations Officer.
Sink's first encounter with the airborne took place in November 1940, when he was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning. He later commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In July 1942, he was named as Commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Toccoa, GA; Fort Benning, GA; and Fort Bragg, NC.
In September 1943, he moved to Europe with the 506th PIR, commanding it until the end of hostilities there. 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 Washington, DC, in August 1948, graduating in June 1949.
Sink then was transferred to the Ruckus Command, and became Chief of Staff in October 1949. In January 1951, he was named Assistant Commander of the Seventh Infantry Division in Korea.
He returned to the United States and became Assistant Commander of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, in December 1951. In February 1953, he assumed command at the Seventh Armored Division at Camp Roberts, CA. In November 1953, he became Commanding General of the 44th Infantry Division At Fort Lewis, WA.
In October 1954, Sink was assigned to the Joint Airborne Troop Board at Fort Bragg, NC. 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 (STRAC), United States Army.
His last major command was as Commander of United States forces in Panama.
Lieutenant General Robert Frederick Sink retired in 1961. He died on 13 December 1965. He is buried in Section 1, Grave 320A in Arlington National Cemetery. |
