James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor Hero at Haaren, 1944

Nov 10 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor Hero at Haaren, 1944

Blood. Mud. The sting of shrapnel tearing flesh.

James E. Robinson Jr. did not hesitate.

Under a storm of bullets on a German-held hill in France, he charged forward—alone, fearless—leading men who had no margin for hesitation. He carried their survival with every step. That hill cost them lives, but he did not stop.

He clawed through death to save his unit. This wasn’t glory. It was necessity.

The Background & the Code

Born in Rains County, Texas, 1918, Robinson was no stranger to hard work and hard truths. He grew up with the grit of rural soil beneath his nails and a faith that never wavered. The Bible was more than a book; it was a compass in a world bent on breaking men.

His belief? Fight the good fight. Protect the brotherhood at all costs.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

That verse stood behind him in the most lethal moments.

Robinson enlisted and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, a unit forged in fire and relentless combat even before D-Day. His life was soon a textbook of sacrifice.

The Battle That Defined Him

October 27, 1944.

Near Haaren, Germany, deep in the thick of WWII’s grinding, brutal push into the Reich.

Robinson’s company hit a sliver of hell.

Enemy machine guns cut through the foliage, picking off his men like reeds in a gale. The advance stalled. Fear gnawed at their edges—chaos threatened collapse.

Robinson rose up amidst this carnage.

He took point.

Dodging bullets, he maneuvered under heavy fire, braving grenade bursts that eviscerated the earth around him. With a razor-sharp instinct, he located a critical enemy position pinning down his squad.

With no regard for his own life, he blasted the nest with rifle fire, then closed in with grenades.

One enemy after another fell. His aggressive assault forced the position’s surrender, opening a path for his comrades to advance.

But the fight wasn’t done. Reconsolidated enemy forces tried to push them back.

Robinson fought tooth and nail for every inch.

His actions didn’t just save his unit; they shattered the enemy's grip on that critical terrain.

Recognition Among Warriors

For that single day of valor, James E. Robinson Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest tribute for battlefield gallantry.

The citation lays it bare:

“Sergeant Robinson’s coolness and fighting spirit inspired his men and led to the successful annihilation of a dangerous enemy force.”

Leaders who fought beside him spoke of a soldier who didn’t quit.

General George C. Marshall himself underscored the importance of such men, saying:

“The lives of our soldiers are sustained by the courage of men like Sergeant Robinson.”

Robinson earned more than medals—he earned the respect carved out in blood and steadfastness.

Legacy in Wounds and Wisdom

The scars Robinson wore were not just skin-deep; they mapped the cost of leadership under fire. But more than that, his story is a testament to purpose in the chaos of war.

He fought not for personal glory, but to shield his brothers, to stand firm when the darkness pressed in. This is the essence of combat redemption: sacrifice that secures something larger than self—even when everything screams surrender.

Combat leaves no room for regret.

It demands action.

It demands faith.

It demands the unyielding grit of a man who picks up the fallen and stakes his life on hope.

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

James E. Robinson Jr.’s legacy is etched into the hills of Europe, into the hearts of veterans who stride forward carrying their own burdens.

His fight echoes today, a thunderous call to courage, duty, and sacrifice that neither time nor war can silence.

That hill, that day, stands as proof: heroes aren’t born from glory, but from the resolve to stand in hell and never waver.

Sources

1. United States Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II" 2. U.S. Army Archives, 2nd Infantry Division Combat Reports, 1944 3. General George C. Marshall, “Selected Speeches and Addresses,” 1945 4. Medal of Honor Citation, James E. Robinson Jr., U.S. Army Records