Richard J. Seitz
| Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 18, 1918 Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Died | June 8, 2013 (aged 95) Junction City, Kansas |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940 - 1975 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General
|
| Commands held |
XVIII Airborne Corps 82nd Airborne Division 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
Vietnam World War II |
| Awards |
 Distinguished Service Medal (w2 Oak Leaf Cluster) Silver Star Legion of Merit (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster) Bronze Star Medal (w2 Oak Leaf Cluster) Air Medal Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge Master Parachutist BadgeRigger Badge |
Lieutenant General Richard “Dick” Joe Seitz (February 18, 1918 – June 8, 2013) was an American 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.
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).
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.
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