Medal of Honor: Robert Guy Robinson, World War I, October 14, 1918

Name: Robert Guy Robinson
Rank: Gunnery Sergeant
War: World War I
Date of Action: October 14, 1918
Unit: 1st Marine Aviation Force, attached to the 1st Marine Aeronautic Company
Born: April 30, 1896 – New York, New York
Entered Service At: Chicago, Illinois

Summary of Action
As an aerial observer with the 1st Marine Aviation Force, Gunnery Sergeant Robert Robinson joined British aircraft on bombing missions deep over enemy territory. On October 14, 1918, his plane and one other became separated from their formation during a raid over Pittham, Belgium. They were immediately set upon by twelve German fighters. Despite the overwhelming odds, Robinson coolly manned his guns and shot down one of the attackers.

Moments later, a bullet tore through his left arm, nearly severing it at the elbow. His weapon jammed, but rather than give in, he cleared the gun with his remaining hand and continued firing. Though struck twice more—once in the stomach and once in the thigh—he fought until collapsing from his wounds. His relentless defense allowed his pilot to escape and return to friendly territory.

Robinson survived his injuries and became one of the most decorated Marine aviators of the Great War. His valor under fire, performed at the edge of consciousness and at the limits of endurance, remains one of the most heroic acts in Marine Corps aviation history.

Medal of Honor Citation
ROBINSON, ROBERT GUY
Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Aviation Force
Place and date: Pittham, Belgium, 14 October 1918
Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
Born: 30 April 1896, New York, N.Y.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism as observer in the 1st 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, G/Sgt. Robinson’s plane was attacked by 9 enemy scouts. In the fight which followed, he shot down one of the enemy planes. In a later air 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, G/Sgt. 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.