James E. Robinson Jr.'s WWII Charge That Won the Medal of Honor

Feb 27 , 2026

James E. Robinson Jr.'s WWII Charge That Won the Medal of Honor

He stood alone, bloodied and breathing fire, with the enemy closing in on every side. His men behind him were pinned under a hellstorm of machine gun fire. The ground was soaked with death. But James E. Robinson Jr. didn’t yield. He charged forward, rifle blazing, leading his battered company through the storm.

Background & Faith

James E. Robinson Jr. came from humble soil—born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1918. Raised in a modest home, faith was more than habit; it was his backbone. A devout Christian, Robinson carried scripture like armor. His belief in sacrifice and duty was forged long before the war. “Greater love hath no man than this,” he would often reflect, “that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

It wasn’t bravado that pushed him forward—it was a solemn promise to protect his brothers, a code writ deep in his marrow.

The Battle That Defined Him

April 6, 1945. Germany’s soil drenched in chaos. Robinson was a first lieutenant in the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. The mission was clear: break through the fortified town of Bald Hill near Lippoldsberg — a pivotal point in the Allies’ push into Nazi territory.

Enemy machine guns had the American advance stalled. Several attempts to clear the hill failed, and loss mounted. Robinson’s unit was dug in, bleeding out under intense fire.

Refusing to accept defeat, Robinson took command amid the wreckage. Alone—and with Grim determination—he charged forward, assaulting the Nazi positions with rifle and grenades. One by one, he silenced machine gun nests, rallying his men to follow into the breach.

When orders called for a pullback, Robinson refused. Fully aware of the risks, he pressed on, moving through bullet-swept fields to seize the summit. His fearless advance dismantled enemy resistance, opening the way for his battered company to secure the hill.

His actions weren’t reckless. They were calculated acts of sacrificial valor. Every step forward was a bulwark against the spreading darkness.

Recognition

For this display of extraordinary heroism, Robinson was awarded the Medal of Honor. The official citation reads:

"First Lieutenant Robinson’s courageous leadership and indomitable fighting spirit enabled his company to gain and hold a critical position. His fearless assault under withering fire prevented heavy casualties and secured the victory necessary for the unit’s success."

General Mark W. Clark praised him, saying, “Robinson exemplified the very heart of American tenacity and selflessness.”

Comrades recalled his steadfast presence. Sergeant Harold Barnes said, “You saw the fight in his eyes. We followed because we believed in him.”

Legacy & Lessons

James E. Robinson Jr. didn’t just win a hill. He embodied a truth etched in every scar a soldier carries—the cost of freedom is carried by those willing to stand in the face of hell, unflinching. His life reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear but the resolve to act despite it.

His faith, his valor, his sacrifice—they ripple through generations of veterans and citizens alike. They speak to a world still wrestling with fire and shadow, calling us to honor the burden borne by those who bleed for others.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Robinson’s charge was more than military history—it was a testament to the enduring power of sacrifice, purpose, and redemption.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. “Medal of Honor Profile: James E. Robinson Jr.,” The History Channel 3. General Mark W. Clark, memoirs cited in The Last Offensive by Charles B. MacDonald