Robert Strayer

Robert Lytle Strayer (March 2, 1910 – December 18, 2002) was an American Army officer and World War II veteran. He served as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, placing him in command of Easy Company during much of its training and combat service in Europe. Born in Rutledge, Pennsylvania, Strayer joined the U.S. Army in 1930 and later volunteered for the newly formed airborne forces. In 1942, he was given command of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and oversaw the unit during its training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, and subsequent preparation for the Allied invasion of Europe. Strayer commanded the 2nd Battalion during the Normandy campaign, Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He remained the battalion commander while Easy Company fought through these campaigns, with Major Richard Winters serving as his executive officer. In March 1945, Strayer was transferred to the regimental staff as executive officer of the 506th, with Winters succeeding him as commander of the 2nd Battalion. He later became a colonel and was appointed commander of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. For his wartime service, he received the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. Strayer left the Army after the end of World War II and settled with his wife, Mildred, in Pennsylvania, where he worked in insurance. The couple later retired to St. Petersburg, Florida. Strayer's wartime experiences were featured in Stephen E. Ambrose's 1992 book Band of Brothers and the 2001 HBO miniseries based on it. He also appeared as himself in the companion documentary We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company. In Band of Brothers, Strayer was portrayed by Phil McKee. Strayer died on December 18, 2002, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 92. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.