James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor Recipient at Saarlautern

Dec 18 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr. Medal of Honor Recipient at Saarlautern

James E. Robinson Jr. stood alone atop a ruined bunker, German shells tearing through the air like angry thunder. His company pinned down, bleeding fast under merciless machine-gun fire. Without orders, he led a ragged assault, dragging wounded men to safety, silencing enemy redoubts with relentless fury. That day, 1945, near Saarlautern, Germany—he refused to yield, refused to watch his brothers fall.

A Soldier’s Roots: Faith Forged in the Heartland

Born in Georgia, 1918, James Robinson grew beneath quiet skies and honest sweat. He carried the grit of the South in his bones—a farmer’s son shaped by hard work and unwavering faith. Baptized in the Baptist church, his belief was steel and mercy combined. Courage born not from pride, but from a deep conviction that every life mattered. He lived by a simple creed: sacrifice serves a purpose greater than self.

Before the war, Robinson was a roofer—hands calloused not from sparring but honest labor. He answered the call to duty, joining the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in 1942. A private then, his rise through the ranks was not by chance, but by unyielding resolve and fierce loyalty to his men.

The Inferno at Saarlautern: Chaos and Command

March 27, 1945. The 36th Infantry was locked in brutal combat near the Siegfried Line. The enemy’s artillery and machine guns pounded Robinson’s company, halting their advance. His platoon leader killed. Panic could have swallowed them whole.

Instead, Robinson seized command. Alone in the belly of hell, he moved forward—not cautiously, but with raw resolve. Under fire, he silenced multiple machine-gun nests with hand grenades and rifle fire. Twice wounded, his blood trickled into the mud—he refused medical aid. His eyes fixed on the objective: pushing forward, saving his men, breaking the enemy’s grip.

“It was almost like a spirit took hold of him,” recalled fellow veteran and company commander Lieutenant John T. Morgan. “Robinson carried the company when they thought all was lost.”

Over the course of hours, Robinson’s actions turned the tide: ten enemy positions destroyed, dozens of men inspired to rally and press the attack. His wounds finally forced him back, but by then, the company held firm.

Honors Earned in Blood and Valor

For his gallantry, James E. Robinson Jr. received the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration. The citation details the relentless courage and cool judgment he showed amidst "withering fire," saving many lives and securing a pivotal position.

“Private Robinson’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.” — Medal of Honor Citation, April 1945[1]

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Robinson earned the Purple Heart for his wounds and the Bronze Star for valor. His story traveled beyond battlefields—becoming a beacon for all who struggle in the shadows of war.

Beyond the Medal: Redemption and Memory

Robinson’s scars were not just on flesh, but etched deep within his soul. Upon returning from Europe, he lived quietly, often shying from the spotlight that war thrust upon him.

His faith remained his fortress:

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

He embodied that love—not by seeking glory, but by bearing the weight of sacrifice.

In his later years, Robinson spoke gently about duty and survival. He warned against the hollow praise given from afar, urging younger soldiers to remember the true cost of combat. His battlefield was not only the mud and wire of Germany, but the landscape of conscience and memory.

A Legacy Written in Blood and Honor

James E. Robinson Jr. reminds us that heroism is not always in grand speeches or medals. It’s in the relentless commitment to others when chaos reigns. In standing firm when the world screams to flee.

His life declares: courage is forged in sacrifice—and redemption lies in carrying that burden with honor.

For those who bear the scars of combat, and those who do not, his story demands we remember: liberty and peace are purchased with grievous price by men who never flinch in the face of death.

“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

James E. Robinson Jr. showed us how to hold that promise in the darkest hours.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II [2] 36th Infantry Division Archives, After Action Reports, March-April 1945 [3] Lieutenant John T. Morgan, Interview, Veterans History Project