James E. Robinson Jr.

James E. Robinson Jr. (July 10, 1918 – April 6, 1945) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Robinson joined the Army from Waco, Texas in 1937,^[1]. He attended artillery school in 1943, and was commissioned a second lieutenant.^[2] By April 6, 1945 was serving as a first lieutenant in Battery A, 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division. During The Battle of Buchhof and Stein am Kocher,^[3] near Untergriesheim, Germany. He was attached as a forward artillery observer to "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 253rd Infantry. During the assault on a tactically-important ridge, Lieutenant Robinson called accurate artillery adjustments that aided A company in advancing on the ridge. But during the assault, "A" company suffered heavy casualties, including all officers and most non-commissioned officers. Lieutenant Robinson assumed command of the demoralized remnant, now numbering only 23 men. He led them in successfully taking the ridge from entrenched elements of the German 17th SS Panzer Division. Lieutenant Robinson then received orders to take the town of Kressbach. During this assault, his larynx was lacerated by shrapnel. Although severely wounded, he refused medical attention, continued the assault, and continued calling artillery adjustments until the objective had been taken. Once the objective was secured, he walked 3000 meters back to the aid station. He was evacuated to the rear, and died of his wounds on the operating table later that day. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on December 11, 1945. In 1948, he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre.

Robinson, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.