Olinto Mark Barsanti (November 11, 1917 – May 2, 1973) was commander of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, commanding during the Tet Offensive and during subsequent operations around Bien Hoa and Huế. He commanded the 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during World War II (in Normandy, Brittany, and Belgium). He served in the Korean War from the beginning of the conflict in July 1950 until August 1951. During his tour in Korea his assignments included staff officer with X Corps and commander of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He is one of the most highly decorated American soldiers in history, receiving approximately 60 decorations, including the DSC, DSM, 5 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 8 Bronze Stars, 7 Air Medals, 7 Purple Hearts, and the French Croix de guerre (WWII) with bronze palm.

Barsanti died of stomach cancer in 1973. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.Burial Detail: Barsanti, Olinto M – ANC Explorer

World War II In 1944, Barsanti arrived on the coast of France, the day after D-Day, as commander of the 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment. At 26 years old, he was one of the youngest battalion commanders in the Army. During his eight months serving in the war, Barsanti was awarded five Purple Hearts and four Bronze Star Medals. Barsanti personally assisted each of his regiments during a successful defense against a German counter-attack, and helped take a German stronghold. These two acts earned him two Silver Star Medals.

During the Battle of Elsenborn Ridge his unit, part of the 2nd Infantry Division, defended the twin villages of Rocherath-Krinkelt.

Korean War

In June 1950, two days after North Korea invaded South Korea, Barsanti and a few other officers arrived to establish a command post for General of the Army Douglas MacArthur in Suwon, South Korea. His efforts in setting up facilities, transportation, and necessary systems, unassisted except for indigenous personnel, earned him a Legion of Merit. He went on to command the 9th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, and was the youngest Regimental Commander in Korea at the age of 33. His successful completion of a lone mission to deliver secret orders to two South Korean infantry divisions 190 miles behind enemy lines earned him a Distinguished Service Cross.

Vietnam War

In 1967, Barsanti was assigned command of the 101st Airborne Division which was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His orders were to prepare the division for combat in South Vietnam. In August 1967, Barsanti received orders to prepare for Operation Eagle Thrust, the largest air-flight transfer of men and equipment from the U.S. to Southeast Asia. Barsanti arrived in Vietnam on December 13, 1967, to report for duty. During Barsanti's seven months commanding the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, the unit had over 8,000 enemy kills, more than 350 detainees taken, and more than 2,650 weapons captured.

Chronological List of Assignments Source: Jul 1940 – Sep 1940The Infantry School, Fort Benning, GeorgiaOct 1940 – Nov 194238th Infantry, Fort Sam Houston, TexasDec 1942 – Apr 1943The Infantry School, Fort Benning, GeorgiaMay 1945 – Jan 194638th Infantry, Camp McCoy, WisconsinOct 1943 – Apr 1945Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry, ETO, EuropeMay 1945 – Oct 1945S-3, 25th Special Troops, Camp Gruber, OklahomaNov 1945 – Jan 1946Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry, Camp Swift, TexasFeb 1946 – May 1946Student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KansasJune 1946 – Jul 1946Executive Officer, 38th Infantry Regiment, Camp Carson, ColoradoJul 1946 – Jul 1949Faculty Member, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KansasSep 1949 – May 1950Staff Officer, G-1, General, Far East Command, Tokyo, JapanJun 1950 – Jul 1950Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, General Headquarters, ADCOM, KoreaAug 1950 – Feb 1951Assistant G-1, X Corps, KoreaMar 1951 – Aug 1951Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, 9th Infantry Regiment, KoreaSep 1951 – Dec 1951Operation and Training Officer, G-3, General Headquarters, Far East CommandJan 1952 – Jun 1953Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, VI Corps, Camp Atterbury, IndianaJul 1953 – Jan 1954Student, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VirginiaFeb 1954 – May 1955Chief, Survey and Organization Branch, Comptroller, US Army, EuropeJun 1955 – Jan 1957Chief of Staff, Berlin CommandFeb 1957 – Jul 1957Member, Regular Officer Augmentation Detachment Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.Aug 1957 – Jun 1958Student, National War College, Washington, D.C.Jul 1958 – Jun 1961Chief, Requirements Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.Jul 1961 – Jul 1963Chief, Manpower Division, JI, Joint Staff Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.Jul 1963 – Aug 1964Assistant Division Commander for Combat Operations, 7th Infantry Division, KoreaSep 1964 – May 1966Comptroller, US Army, EuropeMay 1966 – Sep 1966Chief of Staff, V Corps, USAREUROct 1966 – Jun 1967Comptroller and Director of Programs, US Army Materiel Command, Washington, D.C.Jul 1967 – Jun 1968Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky (deployed to Vietnam Dec 13, 67)Jul 1968 – Aug 1968Commanding General, 101st Air Cavalry DivisionAug 1968 – Sep 1971Chief of Staff, Fifth US Army, Fort Sheridan, Illinois

Awards and decorations Source: Combat Infantryman Badge with star Ranger Tab Basic Parachutist Badge Army Staff Identification Badge Vietnam Master Parachutist Badge 101st Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia 7 Overseas Service Bars Army Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with four bronze oak leaf clusters Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and seven oak leaf clusters Purple Heart with six oak leaf clusters Air Medal with Valor device and six oak leaf clusters Army Commendation Medal Army Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal with service star Korean Service Medal with six service stars Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars French WWII War Cross with bronze palm National Order of Vietnam, Knight Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

In his memory, the University of North Texas established the Barsanti Military History Center. The current director of the Barsanti program is Geoffrey Wawro.

Fort Campbell held a dedication ceremony for the Olinto M. Barsanti Elementary School, a Department of the Defense Education Activity school. The new school is located in the southern portion of the Fort Campbell Army Post. The 93,000 square-foot, $18 million building was built to accommodate the growing availability of on-post-housing, and serves the Gardner Hills and The Woodlands housing areas. It opened its doors to approximately 550 Pre-K through 5th grade students on January 3, 2011.

References

External links Olinro M. Barsanti at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website Barsanti Papers at UNT Special Collections Finding Aid Digitized Barsanti Papers from UNT Special Collections

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