James E. Robinson, Jr.

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr. (10 July 1918 - 6 April 1945) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War II.

James E. Robinson, Jr. was born on 10 July 1918 in Toledo, OH. He joined the Army from Waco, TX. On 6 April 1945, he was serving as a First Lieutenant in Battery A, 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division. In a battle near Untergriesheim, Germany, that day, he led his company in an attack against German lines. Although severely wounded, he refused medical attention and continued on until the objective had been taken. He died of his wounds later that day. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery A, 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Untergriesheim, Germany, 6 April 1945.

Citation: He was a field artillery forward observer attached to Company A, 253d Infantry, near Untergriesheim, Germany, on 6 April 1945. Eight hours of desperate fighting over open terrain swept by German machinegun, mortar, and small-arms fire had decimated Company A, robbing it of its commanding officer and most of its key enlisted personnel when 1st Lt. Robinson rallied the 23 remaining uninjured riflemen and a few walking wounded, and, while carrying his heavy radio for communication with American batteries, led them through intense fire in a charge against the objective. Ten German infantrymen in foxholes threatened to stop the assault, but the gallant leader killed them all at point-blank range with rifle and pistol fire and then pressed on with his men to sweep the area of all resistance. Soon afterward he was ordered to seize the defended town of Kressbach. He went to each of the 19 exhausted survivors with cheering words, instilling in them courage and fortitude, before leading the little band forward once more. In the advance he was seriously wounded in the throat by a shell fragment, but, despite great pain and loss of blood, he refused medical attention and continued the attack, directing supporting artillery fire even though he was mortally wounded. Only after the town had been taken and he could no longer speak did he leave the command he had inspired in victory and walk nearly 2 miles to an aid station where he died from his wound. By his intrepid leadership 1st Lt. Robinson was directly responsible for Company A's accomplishing its mission against tremendous odds.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Honors

The USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AK-274) was named in his honor.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr. was killed in action on 6 April 1945. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX, in Section T, Grave 98.