Dec 03 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr., WWII Medal of Honor Hero at Sanananda

The stench of burning oil and earth choked the air. Bullets whipped past like furious hornets. James E. Robinson Jr. pressed forward—alone, with bullets tearing at his flak jacket, his voice hoarse from shouting orders. The lives of his men hinged on one relentless push. He refused to break.

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The Boy from Greene County, Ohio

Born in 1918, James Robinson grew up under the wide Ohio skies, the kind of place where grit meant soil-stained hands and words carried weight. He was no stranger to hard work, and faith was his anchor. Baptized young, he carried scripture in his heart like a talisman against the shadows of war. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This verse from Psalm 23 was a whispered shield in the darkest nights.

His moral compass was forged in Midwestern soil—duty, honor, and sacrifice weren’t just ideals; they were commands. When he enlisted in the Army, it was with a steady certainty that his life would not be his own, but a sacrifice for something greater.

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Facing Hell at Sanananda

In the murk of New Guinea, December 7, 1942, Sergeant Robinson’s squad faced an enemy entrenched deep in jungle hell. The 126th Infantry Regiment was pinned down under heavy fire; casualties mounted, and retreat threatened to become rout. But Robinson didn’t flinch.

He launched himself at the enemy lines, leading multiple assaults through waist-deep mud and spitting bullets. His weapon jammed—he fought with his bayonet, then fists. When his radio failed, he crawled under fire to summon reinforcements, rallying a fragmented force.

“He alone turned the tide,” one comrade later recalled. His audacity saved countless lives and secured vital ground in a battle that bled both sides dry. The hellscape was relentless, but Robinson was a storm all his own.

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Medal of Honor—A Warrior’s Testament

For his gallantry and indomitable leadership, Robinson received the Medal of Honor in March 1943. The citation reads:

“Despite intense enemy fire, Sergeant Robinson exposed himself repeatedly to lead his men forward. His valor inspired the unit to a victorious assault and prevented them from being overrun.”

General Douglas MacArthur himself said of men like Robinson, “Their courage is the rock on which victory is built.” His citation outlines the raw, unvarnished reality of combat commands—there is no glory in hesitation, only survival in tenacity.

Fellow soldiers called him a “quiet giant”—no vanity, just lethal resolve.

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Endurance Beyond the Battlefield

Robinson’s scars were not just physical. War gnawed deep into his soul, yet his faith remained a cornerstone. After the war, he spoke less of medals and more of responsibility to his brothers in arms—the ones who didn’t return.

He believed courage wasn’t the absence of fear, but the endurance of it— “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

His legacy is etched in the soil of Sanananda and the hearts of those who follow. Courage under fire, sacrifice without question, and the quiet strength of a man who knew what was at stake.

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The Price and the Purpose

James E. Robinson Jr.’s story is not just history; it’s a mirror. The battlefield may scatter us, but the call to stand firm never fades. He reminds veterans and civilians alike that freedom demands a debt paid in blood and courage.

This is why we remember.

This is why we carry the torch forward.

In the final reckoning, it is not medals or glory that define a man, but the scars he bears—and the love that fuels him to keep fighting for a tomorrow worth living.

To the line. To the end. To the fallen. We owe them that much.

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Sources

1. Center of Military History, U.S. Army – Medal of Honor Recipients, World War II 2. Greene County Historical Society – “James E. Robinson Jr.: A Soldier’s Faith and Valor” 3. “MacArthur: His Rendezvous with Destiny” by William Manchester 4. U.S. Army War College – Battle Records: New Guinea Campaign, 1942

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