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Namesake
James E. Robinson, Jr., was born In Toledo, Ohio, and was serving as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army near Untergriesheim, Germany, on 6 April 1945. Eight hours of desperate fighting over open terrain had decimated Lieutenant Robinson’s company, robbing it of its commanding officer and most key enlisted personnel, when he rallied the remaining 23 riflemen and led them 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. He then pressed on with his men and cleared the area. Ordered then to take the defended town of Kressbach, he went to each of the 19 exhausted survivors, instilling in them renewed courage and fortitude, before leading them forward once more. In the advance he was seriously wounded in the neck by a shell fragment. Refusing medical attention, Lieutenant Robinson continued the attack and directed supporting artillery fire, even though mortally wounded. Only after victory was attained did he leave the command and walk nearly 2 miles to an aid station where he died from his wound. For his intrepid leadership, devotion to duty, and the supreme sacrifice, Lieutenant Robinson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Citation"He was a field artillery forward observer attached to Company A, 253rd Infantry, near Untergriesheim, Germany on 6 April 1945. Eight hours of desperate fighting over open terrain swept by German machine gun fire, mortar, and small arms fire had decimated Company A, robbing it of its commanding officer and most of its key enlisted personnel, when Lieutenant Robinson rallied the 23 remaining uninjured riflemen and a few walking wounded and while carrying his heavy radio for communication with artillery batteries, led them through intense fire in a charge against the objective. Ten German infantry men in fox holes 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 to victory and walked nearly 2 miles to an aid station, where he died of his wound. By his intrepid leadership, Lieutenant Robinson was directly responsible for Company A's accomplishing its mission against tremendous odds".
Photo of 1st Lt. James E. Robinson, Jr. from the Frontier Studio Archives |
Bill Gonyo |
