James E. Robinson, Jr.

James E. Robinson, Jr.
Born (1918-07-10)July 10, 1918
Toledo, Ohio
Died April 6, 1945(1945-04-06) (aged 26)
near Untergriesheim, Germany
Place of burial Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1937–1945
Rank First Lieutenant
Unit 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

James E. Robinson, Jr. (July 10, 1918 – April 6, 1945) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Robinson joined the Army from Waco, Texas in 1937,[1] and by April 6, 1945 was serving as a first lieutenant in Battery A, 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division. During The Battle of Buchhof and Stein am Kocher,[2] near Untergriesheim, Germany, 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. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on December 11, 1945.

Robinson, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

Medal of Honor citation

First Lieutenant Robinson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:[3]

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.

Namesake

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ Service Profile
  2. ↑ The Battle of Buchhof and Stein am Kocher: The story of Second Battalion 253rd Infantry Regiment. 2014 Timothy A. Malone
  3. ↑ "James William Robinson, Jr".
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.