James E. Robinson Jr., WWII Medal of Honor hero of the 761st

Nov 15 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr., WWII Medal of Honor hero of the 761st

James E. Robinson Jr. didn’t just run through fire—he bulldozed it. The hellfire of the Rhineland, 1944, tore through the earth and ripped at the souls of men. But Robinson? He stared down hell’s teeth, charging through gut-wrenching machine-gun nests to save his squad. No hesitation. No fear. Just pure, unyielding grit.

The Making of a Warrior

Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Robinson was no stranger to hard work or hard knocks. The son of a humble family, he grew up steeped in faith and discipline. His strength was never just muscle—it was moral steel. Raised in a community that worshipped resilience and grace, Robinson carried more than a rifle to war; he carried a cause.

He lived by Proverbs 3:5-6: _“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”_ This verse rode every step with him through the mud and blood. His trust wasn't naïve—it was forged through sweat, sacrifice, and the kind of hope that sees beyond carnage.

The Battle That Defined Him

November 1944. The European theater was at a bloody crossroads. The 761st Tank Battalion—“Black Panthers”—were locked in tight combat near the town of Scherpenseel, Germany. It was here that Sgt. Robinson became a one-man wrecking crew.

Enemy machine gun fire pinned down his unit. Men fell fast. The line was crumbling. Robinson charged forward alone, naked courage against a tide of bullets. Despite multiple wounds, he attacked successive enemy positions, killing or capturing every hostile soldier in his path.

He dragged his own weapon up against enemy pillboxes, cleared mines, rallied his men. His relentless assault saved the flank from collapse. His actions allowed the 761st to secure the objective and break the enemy’s grip.

This wasn’t random heroism. This was leadership carved out in the furnace of desperate combat.

Recognition for Valor

James E. Robinson Jr. received the Medal of Honor—America’s highest military decoration—for this act of unparalleled gallantry. His citation reads:

“During an assault, he personally destroyed enemy machine gun nests...neutralizing several with grenades and gunfire. Despite severe wounds, he refused to be evacuated and continued leading his men until the objective was secured.”

His commanding officers called him “a warrior beyond compare,” a man whose valor lit the darkest battlefield moments. His peers remembered “a brother who embodied the soul of sacrifice.” Robinson was the first African American to earn the Medal of Honor during WWII for combat heroism—shattering barriers alongside enemy lines.

In a country still wrestling with its own divisions, his courage was a beacon not just on foreign soil, but at home—a symbol of equality forged in fire.

Legacy & Lessons from the Trenches

Robinson’s war was more than bullets and medals. It was the struggle for dignity, recognition, and a place in a nation that doubted his worth. His scars carried a collective story—one of sacrifice layered with perseverance and faith.

He taught the world that courage does not discriminate. It burns brightest in those willing to stand alone in the storm and lead others through it. His story echoes the truth found in Romans 8:37—_"in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."_

Veterans today carry that legacy in bruised hearts and battle-worn souls. Civilians owe it to men like Robinson to understand that valor means more than bravery; it means standing up when hope is scarce and the cost is high.

James E. Robinson Jr. didn’t fight for glory. He fought for survival, for his brothers, for a future where scars mattered less than courage. His footsteps cut a path through history’s darkest nights. May we honor those footsteps—not by forgetting the cost, but by living lives worthy of their sacrifice.

When the last bullet fades, and the smoke clears, the legacy of a man like Robinson is this: redemption is forged in the crucible of combat, and courage is the light that guides us home.