Roscoe Robinson Jr.

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.

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]

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

• Roscoe Robinson Jr. at ArlingtonCemetery•net, an unofficial website
• Gen Roscoe Robinson Jr. at Find a Grave