Robinson, Leroy
Army Private 1st class

Leroy Robinson, age 21, from New York County Manhattan, New York .

Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Saturday, May 28, 1966
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile armed force. Private First Class Robinson distinguished himself by heroic action on 28 May 1966, while serving as a rifleman in the second, squad, third platoon of Company B, 2/35th Infantry. He was part of a force lifted by helicopter into a landing zone in the Central Highlands, Republic of Vietnam. Immediately upon landing, his unit came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from elements of a North Vietnamese Regiment. Positioning himself to the flank of his squad, he immediately placed accurate and deadly fire into the closest enemy positions. When several North Vietnamese assaulted his position, he stopped their advance with a hand grenade and thereby protected the entire flank of his squad. On several occasions throughout the encounters he exposed himself to the enemy in order to provide covering fire for the rest of the squad. When his unit later began receiving heavy sniper fire, he quickly reacted to this new threat by placing suppressive fire on the enemy. It was during this action that Private First Class Robinson was mortally wounded in a gallant attempt to protect his fellow soldiers. His outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cemetery: Long Island National

Source: National Archives, Daily News (1966)