Feb 05 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr.'s Ronssoy Heroism Earned the Medal of Honor

James E. Robinson Jr. stood in the thunder of battle, eyes fixed beyond the tearing bullets and screaming shells. Around him, men fell like wheat before the scythe. But Robinson moved forward—alone if he had to—dragging his weary unit from the jaws of death. He was the blade that cut through chaos.

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Roots of a Warrior

Born into hardship in Seattle, 1918, Robinson’s grit was forged early. Raised in a community where faith was survival, he carried the Psalms in his heart. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” whispered in quiet moments, steadied his resolve in hell’s fire.

Robinson enlisted with a clear code: service over self, protect your brothers, fight for a cause greater than survival. This was no idle promise. Every scar would bear witness to those words—etched deep into flesh and soul.

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The Battle That Defined Him

September 28, 1944. Near Ronssoy, France, the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division, faced a fortified German stronghold. The enemy’s machine guns cut down waves of soldiers. The line stalled, pinned under a merciless hail of gunfire.

Robinson’s unit was stranded, exposed—a killing field without mercy.

Without waiting for orders, Robinson charged. Alone. Through grenade blasts and rifle fire, he attacked German foxholes with a relentless fury. Multiple wounds slowed him, but never stopped him. One after another, he smashed enemy positions, clearing the way for his company.

“His actions saved the lives of countless men that day,” wrote his commanding officer. Robinson refused evacuation until his teammates were secure. That day, a dozen soldiers credited their survival to his fearless assault.

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Honoring Valor

For this extraordinary courage under fire, James E. Robinson Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor. The official citation describes Gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, words inadequate in capturing the terror he overcame, the pain he endured.

His Medal of Honor reading noted:

“With utter disregard for personal safety, Second Lieutenant Robinson single-handedly attacked and neutralized enemy positions that threatened his company... His indomitable courage and relentless fighting spirit inspired his men and directly contributed to the success of the mission.”[1]

Comrades remembered him as a quiet storm, a leader who carried the burden of command and sacrifice in equal measure. His humility in victory spoke louder than medals ever could.

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Legacy Carved in Blood and Honor

Beyond medals and battlefield reports lies something deeper: a legacy of selfless sacrifice and unwavering faith. Robinson’s fight was never for glory; it was for the men beside him, for the mission, for redemption amid war’s senseless chaos.

He embodied Proverbs 27:17 — “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” His courage sharpened those around him, igniting a spark where only despair had reigned.

His story reminds warriors and civilians alike that true heroism isn’t born in the absence of fear, but in the choice to press on despite it. Sacrifice carries a cost no medal can ever repay. His scars told a story of faith, grit, and an unbreakable spirit.

Men like James E. Robinson Jr. teach us this: courage is an everyday decision. Redemption is won when a soldier decides, not to run, but to fight—for those who stand beside him, and for the hope of peace to come.

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Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients — World War II, citation for James E. Robinson Jr.

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