Richard J. Seitz
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General Richard “Dick” Joe Seitz (born February 18, 1918) during a 35-year career as an Army officer and Paratrooper commanded the 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
during World War II
, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
, both graduated from Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas. Seitz graduated from high school in 1937 and was cadet commander of his school's ROTC unit. He also received the American Legion Cup as the outstanding cadet his senior year. In Leavenworth his father owned a wholesale milk and ice cream business and also served as the town's mayor. Attending Kansas State College
, Seitz majored in Agriculture and Dairy Husbandry. Having completed his senior-level ROTC work in two years, in 1939 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. While at Kansas State, Seitz was a member of the Alpha Omega Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha
. Years later, Seitz earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha).
His military education included the Infantry School, Air Corps Technical School Rigger Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, Army Language School
(Portuguese), the Army War College, and the Sanz Language School—Persian
.
Seitz’s first and second wives preceded him in death. He met his first wife, the former Betty Merrill, while a student at Kansas State. They became reacquainted in France during World War II. Merrill was working as a Red Cross volunteer and Seitz had recently led his battalion during the Battle of Bulge. They were married in Joigny, France on June 23, 1945. The General and his second wife, Virginia “Ginny” L. Seitz, were married on January 12, 1980. Seitz and his first wife are the parents of one son and three daughters: Major Rick Seitz, Judge Patricia Seitz
, Dr. Catherine Seitz, and Dr. Victoria Seitz.
and decided to become a Paratrooper. After overcoming the objections of his battalion commander, Seitz took airborne training under the command of the legendary Bill Lee
. From 1950 to 1953, Seitz commanded the Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Seitz's first assignment after earning his jump wings was a member of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion under the command of then-Major Robert Sink
. His company commander was then-Captain Jim Gavin. Years later, Seitz credited Gavin with helping to instill in him the importance of a calm demeanor in communicating with soldiers. As a young captain, the commander of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Colonel Louis A. Walsh, Jr. saw tremendous potential in Seitz and placed him command of the 2nd Battalion in 1943. His selection for command made him one the youngest infantry battalion commanders during World War II at three days shy of his 25th birthday. The 517th consisted of three battalions, the 1st Battalion, commanded by William J. Boyle, Seitz’s 2nd Battalion and the 3rd Battalion commanded by LTC Melvin Zais
plus the 460th Parachute Artillery Battalion commanded by LTC Raymond L. Cato.
During the Battle of Bulge, the 28 year-old Seitz and his battalion of paratroopers would prove instrumental. Seitz headed “Task Force Seitz” built around his battalion and a company of 7th Armored tanks, equipped with some half-tracks, a detachment of engineers, and some self-propelled anti-tank guns. In twin attacks on two days, one after dark and the other in late evening, Seitz sent the Germans reeling back to the village of Hunnange, which was the gateway to St. Vith. In both attacks, paratroopers had to cross long stretches of open ground. With all guns blazing and with a massive artillery support fire, they locked up the crossroads village and waited in broad daylight for the huge armored assault that came behind them headed for the next stop, St. Vith.
The battered battalion, which lost more than 400 of the original 600 who entered Belgium only four weeks earlier, won acclaim for its grueling feat in the freezing evenings of a Belgian January. Seitz and his men were nominated for a Presidential Unit Citation, but in the confused business of the Bulge, the award was never made. Seitz received the Silver Star
for his actions.
Seitz remained in the Army following the World War II. From 1947 to 1949 he served in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division. From January, 1949, he served as the G-3 of the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky. In 1950, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College, at Ft. Leavenworth, Ks. He was promoted to colonel in 1954 while serving in Brazil as part of the U.S. Military Assistance Group (Brazil). In the spring of 1957, he received orders to report to Carlisle Barracks, Pa. to attend the Army War College. In June, 1958, upon completion of the War College, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division to command the 503rd Parachute Battle Group at Ft. Bragg, N.C. In June 1959, he became the G-3 for the XVIII Airborne Corps. For a year beginning in June 1960, he was Chief, Field Training Team U.S. Military Assistance Group, Iran
. Following six-months at the University of Omaha, beginning in February 1962 he served for a year as Executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
Seitz was promoted to brigadier general
in July 1963 and appointed Chief, Combined Armed Division and then Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel. He served in this role until July 1965 when he was named Assistant Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Vietnam (August 1965-December 1965) and then served as Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Vietnam (January 1966-March 1966) and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Vietnam (April 1966-April 1967).
In March 1967, Seitz was promoted to major general
and a month later assumed command of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg. The General spent about a year and a half as commanding general but it was an eventful time in the history of the Airborne and the United States. In July 1967, a brigade from the Division was called to help quell rioting in Detroit. In February 1968, following the Tet Offensive, with less than 36 hours notice the Division deployed its 3rd brigade (the famed 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
) to Vietnam. In late 1968, two brigades from the Division were called out to put down rioting in Washington, DC after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King with General Seitz personally commanding the effort. Seitz is credited for making the Division's distinctive maroon beret an accepted portion of its uniform.
In October 1968, General Seitz became Chairman, U.S. Delegation of Joint Brazil-US Military Commission. He held this position until July 1970 when he became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. In May 1973, he was promoted to Lt. General. His final assignment returned him to the Airborne as the commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Ft. Bragg. He retired from active duty in 1975.
Award in 2003. The award was conferred to recognize “Seitz for his efforts to create a greater public awareness of the Army and to garner support for today's soldiers from citizens in all walks of life.” In 2006, the General’s fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, awarded him its prestigious “Order of the West Range” award.
517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
During World War II, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment was a separate infantry regiment of the United States Army, at times attached to the 17th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and later, the 13th Airborne Division....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Family and Education
Seitz and his brother, Brigadier General John A. “Andy” SeitzJohn A. Seitz
Brigadier General John "Andy" Andrew Seitz was the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.-Family and Education:...
, both graduated from Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas. Seitz graduated from high school in 1937 and was cadet commander of his school's ROTC unit. He also received the American Legion Cup as the outstanding cadet his senior year. In Leavenworth his father owned a wholesale milk and ice cream business and also served as the town's mayor. Attending Kansas State College
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
, Seitz majored in Agriculture and Dairy Husbandry. Having completed his senior-level ROTC work in two years, in 1939 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. While at Kansas State, Seitz was a member of the Alpha Omega Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
. Years later, Seitz earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha).
His military education included the Infantry School, Air Corps Technical School Rigger Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, Army Language School
Defense Language Institute
The Defense Language Institute is a United States Department of Defense educational and research institution, which provides linguistic and cultural instruction to the Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies and numerous and varied other customers...
(Portuguese), the Army War College, and the Sanz Language School—Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
.
Seitz’s first and second wives preceded him in death. He met his first wife, the former Betty Merrill, while a student at Kansas State. They became reacquainted in France during World War II. Merrill was working as a Red Cross volunteer and Seitz had recently led his battalion during the Battle of Bulge. They were married in Joigny, France on June 23, 1945. The General and his second wife, Virginia “Ginny” L. Seitz, were married on January 12, 1980. Seitz and his first wife are the parents of one son and three daughters: Major Rick Seitz, Judge Patricia Seitz
Patricia A. Seitz
Patricia Ann Seitz is an American lawyer and judge.Seitz was born in Washington, D.C., in 1946. Her father is Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz, former commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps....
, Dr. Catherine Seitz, and Dr. Victoria Seitz.
Military career
While taking a year away from Kansas State to earn money for tuition, Seitz was called to duty in 1940 with the 38th Infantry in Texas. With the Army rapidly growing as the threat of war loomed, he quickly found himself in command of company, a job normally that went to a captain. While attending an infantry course at Ft. Benning, he saw the original Parachute Test Platoon commanded by Bill RyderWilliam T. Ryder
William Thomas “Bill” Ryder was the first American paratrooper. Ryder helped pioneer Army airborne training, equipment and tactics alongside men like Jim Gavin, William Yarborough, Bill Lee, Art Gorham and Bud Miley. He was an aide to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur from 1944 until 1951...
and decided to become a Paratrooper. After overcoming the objections of his battalion commander, Seitz took airborne training under the command of the legendary Bill Lee
William C. Lee
Major General William Carey "Bill" Lee was an American U.S. Army soldier and general. Lee is often referred to as the "Father of the U.S. Airborne".-Biography:...
. From 1950 to 1953, Seitz commanded the Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Seitz's first assignment after earning his jump wings was a member of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion under the command of then-Major Robert Sink
Robert Sink
Lieutenant General Robert Frederick Sink 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...
. His company commander was then-Captain Jim Gavin. Years later, Seitz credited Gavin with helping to instill in him the importance of a calm demeanor in communicating with soldiers. As a young captain, the commander of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
During World War II, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment was a separate infantry regiment of the United States Army, at times attached to the 17th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and later, the 13th Airborne Division....
Colonel Louis A. Walsh, Jr. saw tremendous potential in Seitz and placed him command of the 2nd Battalion in 1943. His selection for command made him one the youngest infantry battalion commanders during World War II at three days shy of his 25th birthday. The 517th consisted of three battalions, the 1st Battalion, commanded by William J. Boyle, Seitz’s 2nd Battalion and the 3rd Battalion commanded by LTC Melvin Zais
Melvin Zais
General Melvin Zais was a United States Army general.General Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. In 1937 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He attended the U.S...
plus the 460th Parachute Artillery Battalion commanded by LTC Raymond L. Cato.
During the Battle of Bulge, the 28 year-old Seitz and his battalion of paratroopers would prove instrumental. Seitz headed “Task Force Seitz” built around his battalion and a company of 7th Armored tanks, equipped with some half-tracks, a detachment of engineers, and some self-propelled anti-tank guns. In twin attacks on two days, one after dark and the other in late evening, Seitz sent the Germans reeling back to the village of Hunnange, which was the gateway to St. Vith. In both attacks, paratroopers had to cross long stretches of open ground. With all guns blazing and with a massive artillery support fire, they locked up the crossroads village and waited in broad daylight for the huge armored assault that came behind them headed for the next stop, St. Vith.
The battered battalion, which lost more than 400 of the original 600 who entered Belgium only four weeks earlier, won acclaim for its grueling feat in the freezing evenings of a Belgian January. Seitz and his men were nominated for a Presidential Unit Citation, but in the confused business of the Bulge, the award was never made. Seitz received the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for his actions.
Seitz remained in the Army following the World War II. From 1947 to 1949 he served in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division. From January, 1949, he served as the G-3 of the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky. In 1950, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College, at Ft. Leavenworth, Ks. He was promoted to colonel in 1954 while serving in Brazil as part of the U.S. Military Assistance Group (Brazil). In the spring of 1957, he received orders to report to Carlisle Barracks, Pa. to attend the Army War College. In June, 1958, upon completion of the War College, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division to command the 503rd Parachute Battle Group at Ft. Bragg, N.C. In June 1959, he became the G-3 for the XVIII Airborne Corps. For a year beginning in June 1960, he was Chief, Field Training Team U.S. Military Assistance Group, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Following six-months at the University of Omaha, beginning in February 1962 he served for a year as Executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
Seitz was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in July 1963 and appointed Chief, Combined Armed Division and then Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel. He served in this role until July 1965 when he was named Assistant Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Vietnam (August 1965-December 1965) and then served as Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Vietnam (January 1966-March 1966) and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Vietnam (April 1966-April 1967).
In March 1967, Seitz was promoted to major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
and a month later assumed command of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg. The General spent about a year and a half as commanding general but it was an eventful time in the history of the Airborne and the United States. In July 1967, a brigade from the Division was called to help quell rioting in Detroit. In February 1968, following the Tet Offensive, with less than 36 hours notice the Division deployed its 3rd brigade (the famed 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment is one of four infantry regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army.Activated in 1942, the regiment participated in the campaigns of Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge during World War II...
) to Vietnam. In late 1968, two brigades from the Division were called out to put down rioting in Washington, DC after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King with General Seitz personally commanding the effort. Seitz is credited for making the Division's distinctive maroon beret an accepted portion of its uniform.
In October 1968, General Seitz became Chairman, U.S. Delegation of Joint Brazil-US Military Commission. He held this position until July 1970 when he became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. In May 1973, he was promoted to Lt. General. His final assignment returned him to the Airborne as the commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Ft. Bragg. He retired from active duty in 1975.
Awards and honors
The Association of the United States Army awarded the General the Creighton AbramsCreighton Abrams
Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. was a general in the United States Army who commanded military operations in the Vietnam War from 1968–72 which saw U.S. troop strength in Vietnam fall from a peak of 543,000 to 49,000. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1972 until shortly...
Award in 2003. The award was conferred to recognize “Seitz for his efforts to create a greater public awareness of the Army and to garner support for today's soldiers from citizens in all walks of life.” In 2006, the General’s fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, awarded him its prestigious “Order of the West Range” award.