Ray A. Robinson

Ray Albert Robinson
Ray Albert Robinson
	Ray A. Robinson, USMC
Born	June 1, 1896; Los Angeles, California
Died	March 26, 1976 (aged 79); Seattle, Washington
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917–1957
Rank	General
Commands held	Inspector General, USMC; 2nd Marine Division ; Camp Lejeune ; Department of the Pacific ; FMF Atlantic
Battles/wars	World War I ; World War II ; Battle of Guam ; Battle of Iwo Jima
Awards	Legion of Merit (2); Bronze Star

Last updated February 14, 2024 • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

General Ray Albert Robinson (June 1, 1896 – March 26, 1976) was a United States Marine Corps general who served in the Corps more than 40 years. His long and colorful career included service in France during the First World War (as aide-de-camp to Smedley D. Butler), action at Guam and Iwo Jima in World War II, sea duty, and China service between World Wars. He also served in 1929 as officer in charge of the Marine detachment which built President Herbert Hoover's Rapidan Camp mountain retreat near Criglersville, Virginia. Robinson twice earned the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" during World War II — the first for outstanding service in July and August 1944, as chief of staff of the 3d Marine Division during the planning and execution of the recapture of Guam; and the second for outstanding service from October 1944 to March 1945, as chief of staff of the 5th Marine Division during the preparation and combat phases of the Iwo Jima campaign.

Biography

Robinson was born on June 1, 1896, in Los Angeles, California, where he attended the University of Southern California before enlisting in the Marine Corps on May 21, 1917. After completing his recruit training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant on October 9, 1917, and during the next year, he completed the course at the Officer's Training School, Quantico, Virginia, and joined the newly activated 13th Marine Regiment.

World War I

After intensive training with the 13th Marines, he embarked with that regiment for France in September 1918. Overseas he saw service as aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler.

Inter-war years

Robinson returned from France in July 1919, and was stationed at Quantico until September 1921. He sailed shortly afterward to begin a two-year tour of duty at the Marine barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Returning to the Mainland in December 1923, he served briefly at Headquarters, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California, before he was ordered to San Diego, California, in February 1924. There he served in a number of capacities, including duty with the staff of the commanding general, Western Mail Guard, during a wave of railway mail robberies. On completing that assignment, he joined the 4th Marine Regiment in January 1927, sailing with that unit for China the following month. In China, he later served on the staff of the commanding general, 3rd Marine Brigade, at Shanghai, and at Tianjin as the Chinese Kuomintang Army advanced northward.

Robinson returned from China in March 1929, and the following month, he reported to Quantico, where he was attached while serving that summer as officer in charge of the Marine detachment at President Hoover's summer camp. In September 1929, he entered the Company Officers Course in the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico, which he completed in June 1930. He then served briefly at San Diego before going to sea in October 1930, as commander of the Marine detachment aboard the USS Colorado. Completing that tour of duty in September 1932, he was ordered to the Marine barracks at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, where he served in various capacities for almost three years.

In August 1935, Robinson was again ordered to Quantico, where he served as post maintenance officer and safety engineer before entering the Senior Course in August, 1938. Graduating in May 1939, he was ordered once more to China. There he served successively as executive and operations officer of the Marine detachment at the American Embassy, Beiping; as commander of the Marine detachment at Tianjin, and as commander of Marine Forces, North China, and the embassy detachment at Beiping. He returned to the United States in June 1941, and the following month, he reported to Marine Corps Headquarters, Washington, D.C., to become assistant officer in charge of the personnel section, Division of Plans and Policies. He took charge of that section in April 1942. Thus, in 1942, when the commandant of the Marine Corps issued orders to recruit and train African Americans, the task of recruiting and training new African-American Marines fell to then-Colonel Robinson. Robinson sought the help of the Selective Service in this task.^[1] He served in the personnel section until October 1943, when he was named officer in charge of the operations and training section.

World War II

Leaving Washington in January 1944, Robinson embarked for the Pacific theater, where he became chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Division the following month. He was named chief of staff of the 5th Division in October 1944, serving in that capacity until June 1945, when he was named assistant commander of the 5th Division. He returned with that division from Japan in December 1945, and after the division was disbanded, he went back overseas in March 1946, as fleet Marine officer on the staff of the commander in chief, Pacific Ocean Area. He held that position until September 1946, when he became chief of staff, Fleet Marine Force.

Post-war service

In August 1947, Robinson reported again to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, where he served as director of the Division of Plans and Policies for almost two years. After that he was Inspector General of the Marine Corps from July 1949, until June 1950, when he took command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served in that capacity until December 1951, and subsequently, as commanding general of camp Lejeune until August 1952, when he was appointed commanding general of the Department of the Pacific at San Francisco, California. He left San Francisco in June 1954, and two months later was ordered to The Hague as chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group to the Netherlands.

Relieved by Major General John C. McQueen, Robinson was transferred to Norfolk in October 1956. Robinson served there as commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, from November 1, 1956, until his retirement from the Marine Corps on November 1, 1957. He was advanced to four-star rank on retirement by reason of having been specially commended for heroism in combat.^[2]

General Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on March 26, 1976, at age 79.

Awards and decorations

General Robinson's awards include:

	Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star & valor device	Bronze Star
Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 service star	Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star	Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal	World War I Victory Medal w/ 1 service star
Yangtze Service Medal	China Service Medal	American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp	American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 2 service stars	World War II Victory Medal	Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal

Notes

↑ McNalty, 1995.
↑ Robinson was promoted to four-star general on retirement under provision of the Act of February 23, 1942. See "Four-Star Generals of the Marine Corps". History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2007-02-24.

Related Research Articles

Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith, KCB was a general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He is sometimes called the "father" of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. His nickname, "Howlin' Mad" Smith, had been given to him by his troops in the Dominican Republic in 1916.

Robert Everton Cushman Jr. was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 25th commandant of the Marine Corps from January 1, 1972, to June 30, 1975. He was honored for heroism during World War II at the battles of Guam, Bougainville and Iwo Jima. He also commanded all Marine forces in the Vietnam War from June to December 1967, and served as deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1969 to 1971.

General Graves Blanchard Erskine was a United States Marine Corps officer who led the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Franklin Augustus Hart was a four-star general in the United States Marine Corps who served more than thirty-seven years. His varied and colorful career included service during the two World Wars, sea duty aboard several ships of the Navy, and tours in Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

Alpha Lyons Bowser was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. He was a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War – decorated for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima and in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

Robert Dewey Bohn was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of major general. He served in three wars and concluded his career as commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Thomas Andrews Wornham was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of the 27th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Iwo Jima or as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment during the Korean War.

Sidney Scott Wade was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps who attained the rank of major general. He is most noted as commanding general of all Marine forces during 1958 Lebanon crisis and previously as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment during Korean War. Wade later served as commanding general of the Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic and MCRD San Diego.

Matthew Charles Horner was an officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general, who served as Supply Officer of 4th Marine Division and later as commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of Military Theory is named in his honor.

Austin Roger Brunelli was a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. As the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He later served as chief of staff of the 1st Marine Division in Korea and commanding general of Camp Lejeune.

James Phillips Berkeley was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who attained the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted as Signal Officer of 5th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima and later as commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He was the son of Medal of Honor recipient, Major General Randolph C. Berkeley.

Lewis Cheatham Hudson was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. Hudson received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, while leading 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines during Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. He later commanded Troop Training Unit, Atlantic Fleet or 3rd Marine Division and retired in 1961.

Carl Albert Youngdale was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. As an artillery officer, he took part in the three major conflicts of the 20th century and completed his 36 years career as commanding general of Camp Lejeune.

William Robert Collins was a highly decorated officer of United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. As lieutenant colonel, Collins distinguished himself as Tank Battalion Commander during Iwo Jima battle, but he is most noted for his service as commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force at the beginning of Vietnam War.

David Anderson Stafford was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1) of V Amphibious Corps during Battle of Iwo Jima.

Walter William Wensinger was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of 23rd Marine Regiment during Battle of Iwo Jima, when he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Wensinger finished his career as special advisory assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps.

John Ralph Lanigan was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted as commanding officer of 25th Marine Regiment during Battle of Iwo Jima. Lanigan was a recipient of the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

George Davis Webster was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general who is most noted as commanding general, Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Quantico, Virginia.

Earl Sanford Piper was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of the Nicaraguan Campaign, Piper distinguished himself under fire and received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He later participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Chinese Civil War.

Arthur Howard Butler was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself as commanding officer, 21st Marine Regiment during the Recapture of Guam in July 1944 and was decorated with the Navy Cross, one of the United States military's second-highest decorations awarded for valor in combat.

References

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .

"General Ray A. Robinson, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-02-10.

Nalty, Bernard C. (1995). "Change Comes to the Marine Corps". The Right to Fight: African-American Marines in World War II. Marines in World War II Commemorative Series. Marine Corps Historical Center, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2007-02-24.