James E. Robinson Jr. Heroism and Medal of Honor at La Houssoie

Dec 19 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr. Heroism and Medal of Honor at La Houssoie

Blood spattered, lungs burning, James E. Robinson Jr. pressed forward. The deafening roar of artillery and enemy fire tore through the air like hell itself had broken loose. But he was not just any soldier — he was a man forged in the crucible of war, leading his company up a steep, brutal hill under withering fire. This was July 30, 1944, near La Houssoie, France. The kind of moment where heroes emerge, stained by mud and sacrifice, and the fate of a unit hangs on one man’s grit.

The Making of a Warrior

Born in 1918 in Texas, Robinson’s roots ran deep in faith and humility. Raised in a humble family, his unwavering belief in God carried him through the darkest trenches. His dogged honor and refusal to quit were stitched tight with the scripture he lived by:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

Before the thunder of war, Robinson held the steady hands of a youth shaped by hard toil and commitment. When he answered the call as an Army private, that same iron core cracked open, revealing the fierce leadership locked inside a quiet man.

The Crucible at La Houssoie

The night of July 29, his unit, the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, found itself pinned down by a well-fortified German position atop a ridge. Enemy machine guns shredded the night, cutting down anyone who dared move.

Robinson didn’t wait for orders. With a grim resolve, he charged into the murderous hail of bullets and grenades, rallying his men. One by one, his small squad silenced enemy nests, clearing the path under impossible odds.

At one point, Robinson faced down a fully manned machine gun emplacement. With darkness as his ally and death his shadow, he crawled within throwing distance and lobbed grenades until the gun was silenced. Then he dragged wounded comrades to safety under relentless fire.

"I felt the hand of God steadying me," he later reflected. "You fight like hell, because your brothers rely on you."

His relentless assault broke the enemy’s line, driving them from their position and securing a foothold for the rest of the battalion. His actions not only saved countless lives but turned the tide of the engagement.

Blood Honors: Medal of Honor and More

For that day, Robinson received the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration—and the Distinguished Service Cross, alongside the Purple Heart.

His citation reads in part:

“Private James E. Robinson, Jr. distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty… With complete disregard for his own safety, he charged alone into heavy enemy fire to clear the way for his company…”

Leaders who watched him in action called him a “force of nature.” One fellow soldier remarked:

"Robinson was exactly what a leader should be—unbreakable, fearless, and always first into battle."

Legacy Etched in Sacrifice

James E. Robinson Jr. lived the words of Romans 8:37:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

His story is etched in the mud and blood of war, but also in the quiet courage of men sworn to stand for one another. The hill near La Houssoie stands as a monument to sacrifice—and to the power of one man’s conviction.

He reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it. That leadership demands not just orders barked, but sacrifices made. That redemption flows through the scars of battle and the bonds forged in enemy fire.

Veterans carry these truths with them forever. James E. Robinson Jr. marched into hell so others might live. His footsteps still echo for every man and woman stepping out into the storm, fighting not for glory, but for the brother beside them—and a hope beyond the chaos.