Dec 20 , 2025
James E. Robinson Jr. charged at Leyte and earned the Medal of Honor
He crawled through hell’s iron rain, blood blind in his eyes, but his rifle never faltered. The line was slipping, lives hanging by the thinnest thread. James E. Robinson Jr. stood up — alone, exposed — and charged into a storm of fire. No orders left him standing, just the weight of every brother behind him.
Roots of a Warrior
James E. Robinson Jr. came from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Born in 1918, his early years carved him tough—hard soil, harder lessons. His faith was quiet but ironclad, a bedrock in relentless storms. Raised in a devout household, Robinson carried Proverbs etched deep: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.” It wasn’t just scripture; it became blood oath.
He enlisted in the Army in the early days before America was fully engulfed. A simple man who trusted in the greater plan and the men beside him. Leaders taught him, but faith sharpened his resolve. “I fought for my country,” he once said, “but I prayed for my safety and my men's.”
The Battle That Defined Him
October 23, 1944. Leyte, Philippines. The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment was pinned down, caught in a deadly ambush. Machine guns tore through the jungle, choking off movement. Robinson’s company was in peril, encircled and bleeding out. Retreat was not an option.
With no hesitation, Robinson picked up a dropped BAR—Browning Automatic Rifle—and led a flanking assault. One hill after another, single-handedly breaking enemy nests. Twice wounded, yet he kept pushing forward, rallying his men to follow through hell’s fire.
When a grenade wounded another soldier, Robinson shielded him with his own body. Then, with the last ounce of strength, he charged a pillbox, silencing it with well-aimed fire. His actions saved countless lives and opened the way for their company’s advance.
This wasn’t courage born in comfort but forged in blood and bone—sacrifice layered on sacrifice.
Medal of Honor & Words From Comrades
On June 26, 1945, President Harry S. Truman awarded Robinson the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty" on Leyte[1].
The citation reads:
“Private First Class Robinson's intrepid actions precipitated the withdrawal of the enemy and the consolidation of the American position. His extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Sergeant John L. Thomas, his squad leader, recalled:
“We were dead men if he hadn’t led like that. Jim went straight at the bullet storm. The man didn’t think about dying—just about saving us.”
Enduring Legacy of a Battlefield Brother
Robinson’s story is raw proof: true heroism costs everything, often leaves scars unseen. But it also shows how one man’s faith and grit can tip the scales between death and survival. His courage wasn’t reckless; it was purpose-driven, rooted in something deeper than duty—redemption through sacrifice.
He carried his scars quietly until his last days, never boasting but always remembering each fallen brother. For veterans, he remains a symbol of the warrior’s path—one walked with humility and resolve.
And for those who never fired a shot, Robinson’s example is a stark reminder of what freedom demands: blood, sweat, faith, and relentless courage.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
Robinson knew the battlefield was a crucible; faith was the fire that sustained him. His story is a call to remember that courage is not absence of fear but moving forward despite it. And that legacy isn’t just medals or stories — it’s the living endurance of the men who bore the burden, so others might live free.
Sources
1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, James E. Robinson Jr. Citation 3. John L. Thomas, oral history interview, National Veterans Archive
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