Roscoe Robinson Jr.

Roscoe Robinson Jr. (October 11, 1928 – July 22, 1993) was the first African American to become a four-star general in the United States Army. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he attended St. Louis University for only a year and then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1947. He graduated with a degree in military engineering in 1951. He received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

For the singer, see Roscoe Robinson (musician).
Roscoe Robinson Jr.
General Roscoe Robinson Jr.
Born(1928-10-11)October 11, 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJuly 22, 1993(1993-07-22) (aged 64)
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankGeneral
Commands held 82nd Airborne Division
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (3)

Career
Robinson as a West Point cadet

After graduating, Robinson served in the Korean War in 1952 as a platoon leader and rifle company commander. For his actions he received the Bronze Star. Sent back to the United States a year later he became an instructor in the Airborne Department of the United States Army Infantry School. He then went on to graduate from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1963. The following year he received his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in international affairs.

In 1967 he served as battalion commander in Vietnam. For his achievements there he received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals, and two Silver Stars.

After Vietnam he served at the National War College for three years as the executive officer to the Chief of Staff. He was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1975 became Commanding General of the United States Army Garrison, Okinawa. In 1976 he was promoted to Major General and assigned to command the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. General Robinson was the first African-American to command the 82nd Airborne Division.

His final assignment was as U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 1982–1985. After he had completed 34 years of service to the U.S. military he retired in 1985. He was then awarded with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and a second Distinguished Service Medal.

Awards and decorations
U.S. Badges, Patches and Tabs
Combat Infantryman Badge w/ one silver star (2 awards)
Master Parachutist Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
? Overseas Service Bars
U.S. Individual Decorations
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
 Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
 Silver Star w/ oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit w/ two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal w/ two silver oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
U.S. Good Conduct Medal and Service Medals
 National Defense Service Medal with one ​3⁄16" bronze star
Korean Service Medal w/ three ​3⁄16" bronze stars
Vietnam Service Medal w/ three ​3⁄16" bronze stars
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 2
Foreign Individual Decorations
 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm and one ​5⁄16" gold star
Foreign Unit Awards
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Foreign Service Medals
United Nations Korea Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

After his retirement, he was asked to look over a panel of people who were examining the Korean War performance of some highly criticized army units. He also served on the board of Northwest Airlines. After a battle with leukemia, Robinson died on July 22, 1993, at the age of 64, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[1] In April 2000, there was a ceremony and a dedication at West Point for a new auditorium, named the "General Roscoe Robinson Jr. Auditorium" in his honor. The Roscoe Robinson Health Clinic at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg is also named in his honor.[2]

gollark: The point is not actually the education.
gollark: As planned.
gollark: I'm not sure this is actually an example of a "Nash equilibrium".
gollark: See? I am, as ever, correct.
gollark: Technically, this is a political tangent.

References
  1. Arlingtoncemetery.net entry
  2. Womack Army Medical Center - Roscoe Robinson Health Clinic
  • "Roscoe Robinson Jr". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
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