James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient in Leyte, 1944

Jan 08 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient in Leyte, 1944

James E. Robinson Jr. stood in the choking smoke of Leyte’s dense jungle, the howl of artillery ripping through the humid air. Bullets tore the air where men fell—friends, brothers in arms. The line was breaking. With the enemy closing, Robinson didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, leading his squad through hell’s own fire, rallying what was left. Every step drenched in blood, he fought for the thin thread that held his unit together.

Born of Resolve and Faith

James E. Robinson Jr. came from Cleveland, Ohio—a city of steel and grit. Raised in a humble home, he learned early of discipline and sacrifice. The church was his anchor. Baptized young, his faith was not a silent refuge but a living, breathing code that drove his every step. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” was no empty phrase—it was the fuel for a warrior’s heart.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, driven by duty and the quiet voice within that whispered purpose in the storm. A private in the 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division, Robinson embodied the Old Testament warrior spirit—undaunted, relentless, and bound by honor.

The Battle That Defined Him

October 27, 1944: The Leyte Island campaign, Philippines. The Japanese held a hilltop fortified with machine guns, sniper nests, and an entrenched garrison ready to rip any soldier to pieces.

Robinson’s squad was pinned down, soaked in mud and blood, inching through thick jungle with the enemy hammering their every move. When a grenade landed dangerously close, Robinson grabbed it—without hesitation—and hurled it back into the enemy trench.

Despite a serious wound in the assault, he pressed on alone into enemy machine gun nests. Reports say he silenced at least two positions, dragging captured prisoners back through the chaos. He inspired his men to rally, seize the high ground, and turn the tide in that desperate fight.

His Medal of Honor citation bluntly declares:

“Private Robinson’s indomitable courage, selfless leadership, and gallantry in close quarters enabled his company to take and hold their objective.”

No hyperbole—just raw, documented valor. His actions are etched into history as one of the fiercest infantry assaults in the Pacific theater. Men under his command said Robinson led like a lion—never commanding from behind cover but moving forward, soaked in fire and grit.

Recognition Forged in Blood

For those brutal actions, President Harry S. Truman awarded Robinson the Medal of Honor in 1946. The citation highlights a soldier who “with utter disregard for his own personal safety... completely destroyed the enemy’s defense.”

His courage saved lives, stabilized the assault, and shifted momentum during a battle many thought lost. Those who fought beside him revered him not only as a hero but as a backbone—a living testament to the warrior’s code.

Col. Carl F. Rowlett once remarked, “Jimmy didn’t just survive combat; he defined what it meant to lead under fire.” No speeches. No fanfare. Just the respect earned on the bloodied trails of Leyte.

Legacy in Blood and Spirit

James E. Robinson Jr.’s story isn’t just a tale of war—it’s a testament to what sacrifice can achieve when a single man takes a stand. His valor reminds us that courage is not absence of fear, but the choice to face it head-on when the stakes are highest.

His faith, extolled even in the darkest hours, stabilizes the soul amidst chaos. The scripture from Isaiah 40:31 echoes his life’s rhythm:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”

Robinson’s life thrums with the pulse of that promise. He rose from the ashes of war, never forgetting the cost, never forgetting those who didn’t make it back.

The battlefield leaves no man unchanged. For James E. Robinson Jr., scars—seen and unseen—became a badge of relentless purpose. His story calls us beyond medals and honors. It beckons us to remember why we fight, who we fight for, and the enduring cost of freedom.

In the quiet moments after the guns fall silent, his legacy speaks still—to fight with honor, to lead with sacrifice, and to live redeemed.