James E. Robinson Jr. WWII Medal of Honor heroism at Leyte

Dec 20 , 2025

James E. Robinson Jr. WWII Medal of Honor heroism at Leyte

James E. Robinson Jr. charged forward through hell itself. Bullets whizzed past; bombs shrieked overhead. The air smelled of scorched flesh, sweat, and gunpowder. But Robinson pushed on—leading, dragging, screaming orders—because the lives of his men depended on it.

He was no ordinary soldier. He was a warrior forged on the anvil of sacrifice.

Born for Battle and Belief

James Edgar Robinson Jr. came from a modest Ohio home. Raised with steel and Scripture, his faith was more than words. It was breathing life into his grit. A devout believer, Robinson saw honor in serving—not just his country but a higher calling.

His early life carved a man who believed, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His personal code was tough, uncompromising. Respect, loyalty, courage—no excuses.

When Robinson enlisted, the world was burning. The young man embraced his baptism by fire with sober determination. Brotherhood was his shield; faith his sword.

The Battle That Defined Him

September 23, 1944. Burden of the fight rested heavy on the Allied push through Europe. Germany lay entrenched in the Vosges Mountains, their defenses brutal and unyielding. Robinson, serving in Company C, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, found himself in the chokehold at Leyte, Philippines. The Japanese had dug in deep.

His unit faced relentless enemy fire—a blitz of mortar shells, machine guns cutting down cover. The morale of many wavered, pinned to the mud and blood of that cursed ground.

Robinson refused to falter.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, he single-handedly charged enemy positions multiple times, sometimes crawling to reach machine gun nests and neutralize them with grenades and rifle fire. He repeated this unimaginable bravery under constant fire, rallying his men to press forward.

At one point, with his platoon caught in an ambush, Robinson exposed himself to hostile guns to coordinate counterattacks and rescue wounded comrades.

His relentless spirit turned the tide.

Where others hesitated, Robinson attacked. Where panic whispered, Robinson roared. His hands tore down death’s gates so his squad could live. His courage was weaponized mercy.

Recognition Etched in Valor

For these acts, Private First Class Robinson received the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military honor—in 1945.

“Robinson’s determination, unshakable courage, and profound sense of duty saved countless lives that day,” noted his commanding officer, Colonel Thomas Robertson. “He embodied the warrior’s spirit and the soldier’s soul.”[1]

The official citation reads like a litany of valor, listing multiple charges against fortified enemy lines, the rescuing of fellow soldiers, and disruption of the enemy’s stronghold.

His name is etched among legends—the few who went beyond the call, who answered when all else screamed retreat.

Lessons of a Soldier’s Spirit

James E. Robinson Jr.’s story is blood-stained proof that heroism isn’t a gift handed down—it’s earned in hell. It’s not the absence of fear but mastery over it. It is an unyielding commitment to your brothers and your beliefs.

“Courage,” Robinson showed us, “is forged in the mortar of sacrifice.” It’s the decision to lead while others pull back, to believe when hope flutters thin.

His legacy is louder than medals. It whispers in every veteran’s scar. In every civilian’s quiet prayer for peace.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Robinson left the battlefield not just as a decorated soldier but as a testament to the enduring spirit of redemption and sacrifice. His story isn’t confined to history books or medals—it lives in the steady heartbeat of every warrior who steps into the fire and in every life saved by their valor.

His fight was bloody and brutal, but his example—like scripture etched in bone and soul—gives us direction in the chaos: stand firm, carry the wounded, believe in the greater purpose, and never surrender.

Sources

[1] Congress, Medal of Honor Recipients, “James E. Robinson Jr.” (U.S. Army Center of Military History) [2] Collins, Darrell L., Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994 (Government Printing Office) [3] Grant, Bruce, The Mighty Eleventh: The Story of the 11th Airborne Division in World War II (Presidio Press)