Lieutenant General Richard Joe Seitz (February 18, 1918 – June 8, 2013) was a United States Army officer and paratrooper who, during a 35-year career, commanded the 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Family and education
Seitz and his brother, Brigadier General John A. "Andy" Seitz, 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).
Seitz's 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 the 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.
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 Regiment in Texas. With the Army rapidly growing as the threat of war loomed, he quickly found himself in command of company, a position normally assigned to a captain. While attending an infantry course at Ft. Benning, he saw the original Parachute Test Platoon commanded by then-Major Bill Ryder and decided to become a paratrooper. After overcoming the objections of his battalion commander, Seitz took airborne training under the command of legendary Major General 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 as a member of the 503d 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 in command of the 2nd Battalion in 1943. His selection for command made him one of 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 Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Zais plus the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Raymond L. Cato.
During the Battle of the 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 Division 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 massive artillery support fire, they locked up the crossroads village then waited in broad daylight for the huge armored assault which came behind them, heading for the next stop, St. Vith.