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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

First Lieutenant Robert G. Robinson, USMCR (Retired), (1896-1974)

Robert Guy Robinson was born on 30 April 1896 in Wayne, Michigan. In May 1917, soon after the United States entered World War I, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was later promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. After arriving in the European war zone, he became an Observer with the First Marine Aviation Force in France. Along with pilot Second Lieutenant Ralph Talbot, USMC, Robinson participated in an air raid on 8 October 1918 and shot down one enemy scout (fighter) plane. During another mission over Pittham, Belgium on 14 October 1918, their plane, along with another, became separated from formation and were attacked by twelve enemy scouts. During this aerial battle, Robinson shot down one enemy fighter plane but then received a severe arm wound. Despite this injury, he cleared a gun jam and fought off the enemy until collapsing from additional bullets wounds. For his "extraordinary heroism" on these occasions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. In June 1919, Robinson was honorably discharged and simultaneously commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Placed on the retired list in May 1923, he was promoted to the retired rank of First Lieutenant in September 1936. Robert G. Robinson died at St. Ignace, Michigan, on 5 October 1974 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This page features the only images we have concerning Robert G. Robinson.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 82991 Gunnery Sergeant Robert G. Robinson, USMC Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 124. Robert G. Robinson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his " extraordinary heroism" during air raids in which he was wounded over Pittham, Belgium, October 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 55KB; 590 x 765 pixels

Photo #: NH 105341 U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Reverse of Medal of Honor ("Tiffany Cross" pattern) awarded to Gunnery Sergeant Robert G. Robinson, USMC, for his "extraordinary heroism" during air raids in which he was wounded over Pittham, Belgium, October 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 38KB; 590 x 765 pixels

Medal of Honor citation of Gunnery Sergeant Robert G. Robinson, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 124): "For extraordinary heroism as Observer in the First Marine Aviation Force at the Front in France. In company with planes from Squadron 218, Royal Air Force, conducting an air raid on 8 October 1918, Gunnery Sergeant ROBINSON's plane was attacked by nine enemy scouts. In the fight which followed, he shot down one of the enemy planes. In a later raid over Pittham, Belgium, on 14 October 1918, his plane and one other became separated from their formation on account of motor trouble and were attacked by 12 enemy scouts. Acting with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the fight which ensued, Gunnery Sergeant ROBINSON, after shooting down one of the enemy planes, was struck by a bullet which carried away most of his elbow. At the same time his gun jammed. While his pilot maneuvered for position, he cleared the jam with one hand and returned to the fight. Although his left arm was useless, he fought off the enemy scouts until he collapsed after receiving two more bullet wounds, one in the stomach and one in the thigh."

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Page made 3 December 2007