James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor at Climbach Quarry

Nov 15 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor at Climbach Quarry

James E. Robinson Jr. stood alone in the rubble-strewn ruins of a German quarry near Climbach, France. Bullet casings clattered around him. The enemy poured lead, trying to break his squad’s fragile line. But Robinson didn’t flinch. Instead, he surged forward, dragging his men behind that fierce momentum. One man against the storm.

The air was thick with smoke and the stench of blood. His voice cut through it—calling, rallying, commanding. This was no reckless charge. It was a mission that would save lives and tip the scales of war. He did not wait to be told. He became the spearhead.

Roots in Honor and Faith

Robinson was born in New York City in 1918, a son of modest means raised with a steelclad moral compass. His faith in God was not a sermon but a lifeline. “I prayed to be brave,” he later recalled, “not just for myself, but for the men who counted on me.” His upbringing embedded an unshakable respect for duty and sacrifice.

Joining the Army in 1941, Robinson carried with him a personal creed forged in quiet moments of reflection. Grounded by scripture and an unyielding sense of responsibility to his fellow soldiers, he believed courage was never the absence of fear but the mastery of it. His platoon—Company C, 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division—would test that belief in brutal ways.

The Quarry Assault: June 25, 1944

The fight for Climbach was hell.

The Germans had fortified a rocky quarry overlooking narrow approaches. Heavy machine guns raked the terrain; enemy soldiers clawed at every inch. Robinson’s platoon was pinned down, casualties mounting with every failed advance.

Refusing to wait for reinforcements, Robinson took command. Under heavy fire, he moved forward first. He charged rifle in hand, hurling grenades to silence German nests.

Three times he was knocked down by bursts of bullets—but three times he stood up and pressed on.

When his men faltered, Robinson’s voice cut through despair. He reorganized the wounded and led the assault anew, inspiring his platoon to close the enemy’s last defenses. His fearless leadership turned near rout into victory.

One witness, Staff Sergeant Thomas Kennedy, said simply:

“Robinson was the backbone. We followed him till hell froze over.”[1]

Medal of Honor: A Nation’s Gratitude

For his valor, James E. Robinson Jr. received the Medal of Honor.

The citation highlights his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty,” emphasizing how his leadership saved his platoon from destruction and forced the enemy to withdraw.[2]

President Harry Truman lauded Robinson as “a true American hero” who “demonstrated the highest standards of bravery and selflessness.”

But Robinson deflected glory. In his own words:

“It wasn’t about me. It was about the men I fought with. Every man gets scared. Bravery is standing up anyway.”[3]

Scars That Speak, Words That Teach

Robinson’s story is raw proof that heroism is forged in sacrifice. Every step forward cost lives. Every command bore the weight of death.

Yet he never saw combat as senseless. “There’s a purpose beyond the mess,” he said. “We fight to protect something bigger than ourselves.”

He carried that burden quietly, often retreating to scripture for peace. One verse defined his journey:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

His legacy is not just medals or battles won but a blueprint for confronting fear and owning responsibility in the darkest hours.

Robinson’s footsteps echo in every veteran who has stared down death and chosen to fight for their brothers. His fight was brutal, his scars deep. But through that pain emerged a warrior who understood why we endure.

In a world quick to forget, he reminds us: valor is quiet. It doesn’t seek applause. It just shows up—in the mud, under fire, when lives hang in the balance.

They fought so we might live free. We owe them more than thanks—we owe them remembrance, honor, and a life worthy of their sacrifice.

Sources

1. Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients 1939–1945 2. U.S. Army Medal of Honor Citation for James E. Robinson Jr. 3. Oral History Interview, James E. Robinson Jr., Veterans History Project, Library of Congress