Jack C. Robinson

Jack C. Robinson (1922–1942) was a United States Marine Corps private first class who received a posthumous Silver Star for his actions in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.

Biography

Robinson was born on 22 September 1922 at Blue Ridge, Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 12 December 1941. After basic training, he was assigned to a unit scheduled to take part in the Guadalcanal campaign, the first American amphibious operation of World War II.

In the bitter fighting on 23 October 1942 in the Matanikau River area on Guadalcanal during the Battle for Henderson Field, Private First Class Robinson risked his life to repair damaged communications lines vital to the survival of his unit. Robinson was wounded in the action and died on 25 October 1942.

Awards

For his gallantry on 23 October 1942, Private First Class Robinson posthumously was awarded the Silver Star.

Namesakes

The United States Navy destroyer escort USS Jack C. Robinson was named for Private First Class Robinson. During construction she was converted into the high-speed transport USS Jack C. Robinson (APD-72), and was in commission as such from 1945 to 1946.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.