James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient at Battle of the Bulge

Jan 02 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient at Battle of the Bulge

He stood alone in the chaos, bullets slicing the air like death’s own whisper. The ground underneath him was soaked in mud and blood—his own and those who fell beside him. Yet James E. Robinson Jr. never flinched. Every step forward was a choice to defy death and protect the men who counted on him. In that hellfire, he became more than a soldier. He became a legend.

Background & Faith

James E. Robinson Jr. was born on August 30, 1918, in Columbus, Ohio. Raised in a working-class family, he learned early that character wasn’t built on easy days but on the tough ones you didn’t quit. His faith, quietly held but deeply lived, was a compass in a world spinning into war. He carried a personal code: Honor above fear, brotherhood over self.

Robinson’s spiritual grounding was a lifeline. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) This verse was more than scripture; it was armor when the enemy’s fire tore through the night. A belief that God guided his steps, even when his path was drenched in darkness.

The Battle That Defined Him

November 1944. The forests near Grosshau, Germany—the air thick with smoke, the ground scattered with wreckage. Robinson served as a platoon leader in Company C, 424th Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. The Battle of the Bulge had pushed the Allies to their limits, and the Germans fought with desperation.

His platoon was pinned down by a murderous German counterattack. Surrounded and outnumbered, retreat seemed the only option. But not for Robinson. He took the reins—pushing forward, pulling his men like a shepherd protecting his flock.

Under relentless machine-gun fire, he led an assault on a heavily fortified enemy position. Alone or nearly so, Robinson charged through barbed wire and gun nests, taking out threats with precision and relentless grit. His actions broke the enemy’s hold and saved many of his fellow soldiers from certain death.

“Sergeant Robinson’s heroic leadership and daring assault under fire exemplify the highest traditions of the United States Army,” said his Medal of Honor citation.

He didn’t stop there. When a German grenade wounded several nearby, Robinson braved the danger once more to drag the injured to safety. The ground was littered with fallen comrades, but surrender was not in his mind.

Recognition in Blood and Valor

For his conspicuous gallantry, Robinson was awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest tribute for bravery. His citation, issued December 1, 1945, spelled out a truth written in blood:

“He personally led a courageous assault against enemy positions, changing the course of the battle and allowing his unit to accomplish its mission.”

His actions won the respect of his commanding officers and the undying gratitude of his men. Lieutenant Colonel Glenn R. Brown remarked later, “Robinson was the kind of leader who ran toward the storm, not away from it.”

Robinson’s story became part of the heritage of the 106th Infantry Division—a beacon of what honor under fire looks like.

Legacy & Lessons

The scars from combat never fade, but Robinson showed that courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving forward despite it. He stood as a testament to selfless duty—leading from the front, sacrificing for those who depended on him.

Robinson’s faith, his grit, and his unflinching resolve carry a message for us all: true strength is forged in service, tempered by sacrifice. His legacy reminds veterans and civilians alike that battles are not just physical. They rage in the soul—the fight for hope, for redemption, for purpose.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

James E. Robinson Jr. bore the cost of war so others might see peace. His story is a call—to remember, to honor, and to never forget the price of freedom.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients 1941-1945 2. Steven L. Ossad, 106th Infantry Division in World War II 3. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, James E. Robinson Jr. Citation