Roscoe Robinson Jr.

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.
Died	July 22, 1993(1993-07-22) (aged 64)
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Rank	General
Commands	82nd Airborne Division
Battles / wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (11) Combat Infantry Badge 2nd Award

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.

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 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 two Distinguished Service Medals.

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. 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.

References

• Father Ryan High School - Black Military History - African Americans in the service of their country
• Roscoe Robinson Jr. Encyclopædia Britannica

External links

• "Roscoe Robinson Jr". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-04.