Robinson, Robert G. (Robert Guy), 1896-1974

Robert Guy Robinson (April 30, 1896 – October 5, 1974) was a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant who earned the Medal of Honor as a gunnery sergeant during World War I.

Robinson was born in Wayne, Michigan on April 30, 1896. On May 22, 1917, he enlisted as a private in the Marines and the action in France followed. Although seriously wounded during aerial action over Belgium, he continued to fight and successfully drove off attacking enemy scout planes before two additional bullet wounds forced his collapse. For his heroism and gallantry in this and previous action with enemy planes, while attached to the 1st Marine Aviation Force as an observer, GySgt Robinson received this Nation's highest award.

Gunnery Sergeant Robinson, shot 13 times in the abdomen, chest, and legs, and with his left arm virtually blown off at the elbow, helped bring the plane down in Belgian Territory. His arm, hanging by a single tendon, was grafted back on by the surgeon-general of the Belgian army. The pilot of his plane, Lt Ralph Talbot of Weymouth, Massachusetts, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for this same action, was killed in a plane crash a few days later.

He was honorably discharged in 1919 as a gunnery sergeant and was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. His retirement was effected in May 1923 and his promotion to the rank of first lieutenant in September 1936.

Upon retirement, he made his home at St. Ignace, Michigan. Robinson died on October 5, 1974, at his home. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.