James E. Robinson Jr., 761st Tank Battalion Medal of Honor Recipient

Jan 12 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr., 761st Tank Battalion Medal of Honor Recipient

The mud clings to his boots. Explosions snap like thunder in a sky torn apart. Blood slicks the ground, and every breath tastes like grit and iron. James E. Robinson Jr. moves forward. Alone. The lives of his comrades hang on his back. He will not let them down.

Blood and Honor: The Making of James E. Robinson Jr.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1918, James Robinson grew up under Midwestern skies, raised on a steady diet of hard work and quiet faith. The son of a carpenter and a devout mother, his roots ran deep in sweat and scripture. "A soldier who trusts only in firepower fights half a battle," he would later recall, embodying a code stitched from prayer and purpose.

Before the war, he was a machinist—steady hands, sharper mind. But the call of duty hammered louder than any factory whistle in 1940. Robinson enlisted in the Army, joining the 761st Tank Battalion—soon known as the “Black Panthers,” an all-African American armored unit committed to proving their valor amid segregation and prejudice.

Faith was his backbone. He clung to Psalm 23, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” even when that valley became a rolling hell of gunfire and shrapnel. His courage was no accident—it was forged in the furnace of conviction and discipline.

The Battle That Defined Him: October 27, 1944

The forests of Geilenkirchen, Germany—where silence often meant death. The 761st fought tooth and nail against entrenched Nazi forces, surrounded by barbed wire and machine gun nests.

Robinson’s platoon was pinned down, blasted by enemy fire that shredded the air and shattered hope. They needed a lifeline. Amid the chaos, Robinson took charge. Without hesitation, he advanced through the withering hail of bullets, rallying his men with fierce resolve.

Using his own body as a shield, he led multiple assaults on enemy pillboxes. Time and again, Robinson neutralized machine gun nests with grenades and rifle fire. His actions shattered the German lines, buying critical ground and saving countless lives.

A bullet tore through vessels in his thigh. He fell. But he climbed back up. The fight was not over. To Robinson, quitting wasn’t an option—“leave no man behind” wasn’t just a slogan, it was gospel.

“Robinson’s leadership was decisive. His fearless charge turned the tide of battle,” according to the official Medal of Honor citation.

He maintained his position despite pain and exhaustion, until reinforcements arrived. The attack succeeded. The wounded were evacuated. The enemy retreated.

Valor Honored: The Medal of Honor

For his unmatched valor and leadership on that brutal day, Robinson received the Medal of Honor—the United States' highest military decoration. Presented in 1945, it recognized his ground-shaking gallantry when his platoon teetered on the edge of destruction.

His citation reads:

“Led his platoon in the attack against fortified enemy positions, single-handedly destroyed 2 machine gun nests, and despite severe wounds, continued to lead and fight.”

Soldiers who fought alongside him remember a man who carried the weight of the mission—and their lives—with humility. “A natural leader, quiet but fierce,” said one comrade. Another recalled, “When James moved forward, you moved with him. You trusted him with your life because he trusted himself to do what was right."

The Legacy of James E. Robinson Jr.: Courage Without Condition

Robinson walked off the battlefield scarred but unbowed. His story is not just about bravery; it’s a blueprint for redemption and purpose under fire. His actions proved that courage doesn’t require absence of fear, only resolve to act despite it.

For veterans who know the scent of gunpowder and loss, James Robinson's legacy is a charge to carry on. For civilians, a solemn reminder—freedom is bought dearly by men and women who dare to walk through hell for their brothers.

“Greater love hath no man than this,” resonates here—the selfless sacrifice of one man who stepped beyond himself, embodying Christ-like surrender on an earthly battlefield.

The war hasn’t ended for men like Robinson. Their fight continues—in memory, in honor, in the quiet battles of life after combat. His story burns like a beacon: in the smoke and scars of war, there is hope. A call to stand firm, press on, and never let the flame of brotherhood and sacrifice falter. This is the legacy we owe them.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Bradley, Omar N., and Carafano, James J., The Black Panthers: 761st Tank Battalion History 3. United States Army Archives, Official Medal of Honor Citation, James E. Robinson Jr.