From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Olinto M. Barsanti
Died 1973
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Major General
Commands held	101st Airborne Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (5) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (8) Air Medal (8) Purple Heart (7) Croix de guerre with palms

Olinto Mark Barsanti was commander of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from 1967-1968, commanding during the Tet offensive and during subsequent operations around Bien Hoa and Hue. He previously served during World War II (in Normandy, Brittany, and Belgium) and the Korean War (at Seoul, Inchon, and with X Corps) and 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, 8 Air Medals, 7 Purple Hearts, and the Croix de Guerre with Palms.

Barsanti died of cancer in 1973. In his memory, the University of North Texas has established the Barsanti Military History Center, which is currently run by Geoffrey Wawro, Michael Leggiere, and Robert Citino. Advisory fellows of the center include Rick Atkinson, Jeremy Black, Holger Herwig, Niall Ferguson, Dennis Showalter, Hew Strachan, and the retired Brigadier General John Hurley. The university archives contains the world's largest collection of oral interviews with survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

External links

• Barsanti Military History Center
• Brief Biography of Barsanti