Robert L. Strayer
Robert L. Strayer | |
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![]() Robert L. Strayer as a Major during World War II | |
Born |
Rutledge, Pennsylvania, U.S. | March 2, 1910
Died |
December 18, 2002 92) St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. | (aged
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance |
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Service/branch |
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Years of service | 1930–1945 |
Rank |
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Unit | 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
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Relations |
Mildred (wife) Robert Oliver (son) Suzanne Mildred (daughter) |
Colonel Robert Lytle Strayer (March 2, 1910 – December 18, 2002)[1] was a United States Army officer during World War II. As a Major, in 1942 he was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 1945 he was made Executive Officer (XO) of the 506th PIR, and his position as 2nd Battalion CO was filled by Major Richard D. Winters. During his service he earned four Bronze Stars, one Silver Star and one Purple Heart. At the end of World War II Colonel Strayer was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander of the 507th PIR. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Chase replaced him as Executive Officer of 506th PIR and subsequently replaced Colonel Robert Sink as the Commander of the 506th PIR once Colonel Sink was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed to the staff at West Point. When the 506th was de-activated in September 1945, Colonel Strayer left the Army.
Strayer married Mildred Strong of Chuckey, Tennessee, an Army nurse, on January 12, 1942.[1] He retired from the army after the end of World War II. Strayer and his wife settled down in Pennsylvania where Strayer found work as an insurance salesman.[2] In 1978 the couple retired to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Strayer died December 18, 2002. His wife died on July 5, 2009. They are both interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[3]
Strayer was portrayed in the television miniseries Band of Brothers by actor Phil McKee.
Medals and decorations
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Combat Infantryman Badge |
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Parachutist Badge with 2 combat stars |
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Silver Star |
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Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters |
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Purple Heart |
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Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster |
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
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World War II Victory Medal |
References
- 1 2 "Greeneville Sun - Obituaries - Mildred Strong Strayer". The Greeneville Sun. July 14, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ↑ Eric Deggans (September 7, 2001). "Joining the tough ranks of Easy Company". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Mildred Strong (Millie) Strayer Obituary: View Mildred Strayer's Obituary by San Jose Mercury News". Legacy.com. July 18, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2014.