James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient on Leyte

Nov 02 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr., Medal of Honor recipient on Leyte

James E. Robinson Jr. moved like a man with fire in his veins. Explosions cracked the air, bullets sliced through dirt and death whispered from every shadow. But he didn’t falter. Instead, he stood taller—steadied by something deeper—and took the fight straight to the enemy.

Background & Faith

Born in Missouri in 1918, Robinson grew up in a world that demanded grit. Farm fields taught him endurance. Hard work hammered his spirit. When the war called, he answered—not as a hero on parade, but as a man with a fierce moral compass.

His faith was quiet but unbreakable. In letters home, he quoted scripture that anchored him amidst chaos:

“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

It was this faith, mixed with an unyielding sense of duty, that forged the man who faced death with unshakable resolve.

The Battle That Defined Him

October 29, 1944. The Philippine jungle seethed with enemy fire as Robinson’s Company G, 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, clashed with Japanese forces near Leyte. The attack faltered. Casualties mounted. Panic threatened to unravel the line.

Robinson, a sergeant then, refused surrender. He plunged headfirst into the maelstrom of bullets, grenades, and smoke. One by one, he silenced enemy nests with ruthless precision. When his squad hesitated, he stood in the open, rallying his men.

Not once did he wait for orders. Instead, he led by example—dragging wounded, laying down suppressive fire, pressing forward against impossible odds. When the enemy unleashed a counterattack, Robinson grabbed a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) and unleashed hell.

His courage wasn’t reckless—it was calculated sacrifice. Every step meant inching his men closer to survival and victory. His citation says:

“Sergeant Robinson’s heroic leadership and unwavering courage saved the lives of many and assured the success of the attack, reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Army.” [1]

Recognition

Robinson’s Medal of Honor arrived in the mail months later—a cold, hard reminder that bravery doesn’t come free. The citation immortalizes his valiant acts on Leyte, where he shouldered the burden of command and turned the tide with raw force and iron will.

Generals praised him. Men remembered him. His commander called him “the heart and soul of that fight.” Fellow soldiers said he fought not as a soldier, but as a brother who refused to let any man fall behind.

Years later, Robinson spoke humbly:

“I didn’t want to be a hero. I just wanted us all to get home.”

Legacy & Lessons

Robinson’s scars weren’t just physical—they were etched into the fabric of a generation. His story reminds us that real courage is choosing to stand when everything screams to flee. It’s the quiet decision to bear the weight of others’ lives over your own safety.

His faith carried him through hell. His leadership saved men. His sacrifice wasn’t about glory—it was about purpose: a higher call to serve, to protect, to endure.

In a world thirsting for meaning, Robinson’s life tells us redemption is forged in fire.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

James E. Robinson Jr. refused to let fear dictate his story. He bled for his brothers, fought for his country, and left behind a legacy demanding we all reckon with what it means to be truly brave. His footsteps press into the mud, his voice echoes in the silence between gunfire—the eternal mark of a soldier redeemed by sacrifice.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, James E. Robinson Jr. Citation 3. Eyewitness Accounts of the Leyte Campaign, 25th Infantry Division Archives