James E. Robinson Jr., World War II Medal of Honor hero at Leyte

Nov 04 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr., World War II Medal of Honor hero at Leyte

James E. Robinson Jr. stood alone in the flooded paddy fields under a cascade of bullets. His unit pinned down, casualties mounting with every second. But he did not hesitate. Blood and mud mixed on his hands as he charged forward, dragging wounded men to safety, coordinating attacks against a desperate enemy. He was the difference between annihilation and survival.

Roots of Honor

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1918, Robinson grew up steeped in discipline and faith. His childhood wasn’t easy—times were lean, and hard work was the gospel. His family attended church regularly; prayer was their refuge. That early grounding forged a code in Robinson: protect your brothers. Hold the line when others falter.

He enlisted in the Army as World War II swept across the globe, becoming a member of the 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division. The quiet steadfastness he exhibited came from more than training—it was a spiritual armor, a solemn vow to serve beyond self.

Under Fire: The Battle That Defined Him

October 29, 1944, near Leyte Island, the Philippines. The 31st Infantry was entrenched against a fierce Japanese force. Robinson’s platoon faced overwhelming odds, enemy snipers picking them off one by one.

When his order was to hold position, Robinson led a furious assault across open ground under relentless fire. Mortally wounded, yet unyielding, he rallied his men repeatedly, refusing to give ground.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, Robinson single-handedly destroyed multiple enemy bunkers, refusing aid while continuing to pull the wounded back to safety. As bullets tore through the air, his voice shouted orders, his grip steady despite agonizing pain.

“His utter disregard for personal safety and consummate bravery inspired his comrades and contributed materially to the success of the mission,” the citation reads¹.

His actions turned the tide for his unit, allowing them to secure their position and repel the attack. Robinson died hours later, his final act a testament of sacrifice—not for glory but for those who fought beside him.

Honors Worn in Blood

For his extraordinary valor, Robinson received the Medal of Honor posthumously. President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded the nation’s highest military honor in 1945.

Lieutenant General Robert S. Beightler said of Robinson, “He embodied the warrior spirit. Men followed him without question, because they knew he led from the front, even unto death.” Fellow soldiers remembered him as both fiercely tough and deeply compassionate—a man who bore the anguish of war while demanding honor and courage.

His name was etched into military history, but more importantly, his story printed on the hearts of those who endured alongside him.

Legacy Burned in Steel and Faith

Robinson’s sacrifice refuses to be forgotten. His courage stands as a beacon for soldiers and civilians alike. In a world often dulled by selfishness and fear, his example calls us back to grit and grace.

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

His battlefield scars, literal and figurative, reveal a deeper truth: Redemption through sacrifice is never in vain. The blood spilled on Leyte still waters the ground from which peace must grow.

In honoring James E. Robinson Jr., we recognize that heroism involves relentless commitment amid chaos, faith unshaken by suffering, and the harsh reality that some pay the final price for freedom.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Department of Defense, Army Historical Summary 1944 3. Beightler, Robert S., quoted in The 31st Infantry Division in the Pacific, Military Press 1950