James “Jimmie” Lossy Robinson was born on October 8, 1912 to Lucian and Altha (Willis) Robinson. Jimmie had a younger brother George and 4 younger sisters Avil, Helen, Florence, and Lydia. The family lived in several small Mississippi towns before landing in Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi in 1931. Jimmie married Felina “Snookie” Price on April 10, 1937 in Magnolia. They continued to live in Magnolia and had a son, James Dudley Robinson, on July 11, 1938.

His father fought in the First World War and soldiering came easy to Jimmie. He entered service with the local National Guard unit “Dixie” and was first stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida in 1941 with the 31st Infantry Division. He trained at various stateside camps including Camp Bowie, Texas early in 1942 and attended officer training school at Fort Benning, Georgia later in 1942. After completion of officer training, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.

Lt. Robinson joined the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division in April 1943 and fought with them in Africa and Sicily. He was in charge of the Heavy Weapons Platoon of K Company, 16th Infantry. During his time in Sicily, he was wounded in the left arm and was awarded the Purple Heart. After recovering from his injuries, Lt. Robinson successfully led his men in an attack of a strategic hill in which they captured the hill and many enemy soldiers. For his actions, Lt. Robinson was awarded the Silver Star.

After the Sicilian campaign ended the 16th Infantry Regiment sailed to Liverpool, England. There they were transported to Dorchester and in October 1943 started training for the Allied invasion of Europe. The troops trained for seven months around Dorchester and departed for the port of Weymouth to board the HMS Empire Anvil for transport to Normandy, France. Lt. Robinson understood the seriousness of the invasion and penned a letter to his 5-year-old son, James Dudley Robinson, on May 31st.

On D-Day, the 16th Infantry was headed to Omaha Beach, specifically Easy Red. On the morning of June 6th, Lt. Robinson led the men of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry of the 1st Division onshore as part of the first wave. Early on the commanding officer, Captain Anthony Prucnal, was killed and Lt. Robinson took charge. Once reaching the beach, Lt. Robinson moved up and down the beach to reorganize the survivors of the unit. He led an advance off the beach and up towards the bluff, but the company was pinned down by rifle and machine gun firepower from a concrete pillbox. Lt. Robinson then crawled through a minefield to a point 100 yards from the pillbox and provided cover fire for his men approaching the pillbox on the flanks. While his men were taking the pillbox, Lt. Robinson was mortally wounded by sniper fire. For his actions on Omaha Beach, Lt. Robinson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

After the war, the remains of Lt. Robinson were returned to Magnolia, Mississippi under military escort. Funeral services were held on May 5, 1948 at the Magnolia Baptist church and he was laid to rest at the Magnolia Cemetery.

Citation: Silver Star

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James L. Robinson (ASN: 0-1296583), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action in Sicily in 1943. Lieutenant Robinson brilliantly led his men in an attack on a strategic enemy hill. Despite enemy artillery, machine gun, and sniper fire, he pressed on until he had attained his objective and captured a number of the enemy. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Citation: Distinguished Service Cross

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James L. Robinson (ASN: 0-1296583), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. On D-Day, First Lieutenant Robinson assumed immediate control of his company, after his commanding officer was wounded, and moved up and down the fire-swept beach to reorganize the unit for an attack. Advancing forward, the company was pinned down by heavy machine gun and rifle fire from a concrete pillbox. First Lieutenant Robinson, displaying superb courage, crawled through a dens minefield to a point 100 yards from the emplacement and engaged it single-handedly with his rifle. Under his diversion, his men approached the hostile position from the flanks. While personally leading his company in an assault upon the pillbox, First Lieutenant Robinson was mortally wounded by sniper fire. The personal bravery, tenacity of purpose and inspiring leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Robinson are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

James L Robinson