James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor Charge on Leyte Ridge

Jan 17 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor Charge on Leyte Ridge

James E. Robinson Jr. crawled through the mud, bullets slicing the air like death’s own shrapnel. The weight of his gear was nothing compared to the burden of the men depending on him. The ridge was aflame, exploding with enemy fire, and every inch forward was soaked in blood and grit. But James did not hesitate. He surged ahead alone, a one-man spearhead piercing the hellstorm.

Background & Faith

Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1918, James E. Robinson Jr. was shaped by hard working roots and a quiet, unshakable faith. Raised in a devout Methodist household, his mother instilled early lessons of sacrifice, duty, and grace under pressure. “Duty to others before self”—words that carried him through the darkest nights.

When he enlisted in the Army in 1941, the world was teetering on war. His moral compass was clear. To serve meant more than orders; it meant protecting brothers-in-arms with every ounce of his being.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

The Battle That Defined Him

October 14, 1944. Somewhere in Leyte, Philippines. Robinson was a Sergeant with the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, facing a relentless Japanese force entrenched on a steep ridge. Reports say the advance stalled in withering machine gun fire and hand grenades.

His platoon was pinned down. Wounded men cried out. The official Medal of Honor citation records how Robinson grasped the desperate moment and made a choice that separated fear from valor.

He braced himself, stood alone, and charged forward—machine gun slung aside—throwing grenades, firing his rifle with relentless precision. He scaled the ridge, neutralizing multiple enemy positions despite wounds shaking his frame. His movement opened a path for his platoon, who quickly regrouped and overran the remaining enemies.

Sergeant Robinson reportedly eliminated at least three enemy machine gun nests and killed approximately 20 Japanese soldiers. All under brutal fire, without backup, against staggering odds.

When his men finally reached him, he was bleeding but unbroken. His single-handed assault shattered enemy resistance and saved countless comrades.

“Sergeant Robinson’s gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty stand as an example of the highest traditions of military service.” — Medal of Honor citation, 1945[1]

Recognition in Blood and Honor

For these actions, James E. Robinson Jr. received the Medal of Honor, awarded by President Harry S. Truman on June 26, 1945. The solemn ceremony confirmed what his platoon had known in those dark moments: this man carried the weight for others.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. Allen, commanding officer during the Leyte campaign, called Robinson’s attack “a linchpin in our victory.” Allen’s praise was grounded not just in tactics, but in character.

“Robinson’s courage literally put a hole in the enemy’s defenses and saved lives that day.”[2]

Robinson’s story appears in the official unit histories and countless memoirs. The 32nd Infantry Division’s nickname “Red Arrow” came with scars their men bore—red arrows pointing straight through the enemy line. James embodied that spirit.

Legacy & Lessons Carved in Steel

James E. Robinson Jr. offers more than a hero’s tale. He teaches what it means to bear pain for others, to move forward when the darkness swirls. His legacy is stitched into the chorus of those who choose courage over fear, action over paralysis.

True valor is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to step into that fear with steady eyes. It is the sacrifice no one sees but everyone feels.

Robinson returned home a quiet man, scarred but humble. He never sought fame, only to serve. His faith remained his anchor, a stubborn flame in the face of violence. Today, his story calls veterans to remember their own worth beyond the battlefield. To civilians, it offers a window into the raw cost of freedom.

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

James E. Robinson Jr.’s footsteps echo silent but thunderous. May they never fade.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II [2] “The 32nd Infantry Division in World War II,” Combat Infantryman Association Publication, 1952