Robert Sink Lieutenant General Robert Frederick Sink ( April 3 , 1905 – December 13 , 1965 ) was a United States Army officer during World War II , the Korean War , and early parts of the Vietnam War , though he was most famous for his command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division . Sink was portrayed in the television miniseries " Band of Brothers " by Captain Dale Dye . Early career . Sink attended Duke University ( then known as Trinity College ) for one year before securing an appointment to the United States Military Academy . He graduated with the West Point Class of 1927 , 174th in a Class of 203 ( Cullum Number 8196 ) and commissioned as an Infantry Officer . Sink ' s initial assignment was to the 8th Infantry Regiment in Fort Screven , Georgia as a second lieutenant . Sink took assignments in Puerto Rico ( 1929 , 65th Infantry Regiment ) , at the Army Chemical Warfare School ( 1932 ) , at Fort Meade ( 1932 ) , 34th Infantry Regiment , with the Civilian Conservation Corps ( 1933 at McAlevy ' s Fort , Pennsylvania ) , and returned to the 34th Infantry Regiment before heading off to attend the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning , Georgia ( 1935 ) . In November 1937 , after assignment to the 57th Infantry Regiment at Fort William McKinley , in the Philippines , Sink returned to the United States and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Regiment at Fort Huachuca , Arizona , where he served successively as company commander and regiment al operations officer . World War II . In 1940 , he was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion at Fort Benning . 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 . He later commanded the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion and ( later ) Regiment . In July 1942 he was named as commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Toccoa , Georgia ; Fort Benning , Georgia ; and Fort Bragg , North Carolina . Sink commanded the 506th throughout World War II , turning down two promotions during the war to remain with the unit ( the regiment sometimes being referred to as the " Five - Oh - Sink ' ) and became a close personal friend to Major Richard Winters . He made two combat jumps in command of the 506th ( D - Day and Operation Market Garden ) , and commanded the Regiment at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge . Post war career . 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 Fort Lesley J . McNair in Washington , D . C . in August 1948 , graduating in June 1949 . Sink then was transferred to the Ryukyus Command , and became chief of staff in October 1949 . In January 1951 , he was named assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Korea . He returned to the United States and became assistant division commander of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell , Kentucky , in December 1951 . In February 1953 , he assumed command at the 7th Armored Division at Camp Roberts , California . In November 1953 , he became commanding general of the 44th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis , Washington . In October 1954 , Sink was assigned to the Joint Airborne Troop Board at Fort Bragg , North Carolina . 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 role was as commander of US forces in Panama ( CinC , Caribbean Command , Quarry Heights , Canal Zone ) . Lieutenant General Robert Frederick Sink retired in 1961 , and died in 1965 . Family . Sink was married and had three children and two stepchildren . Dates of rank . United States Military Academy Cadet - Class of 1927