Rembrandt C. Robinson

Rembrandt Cecil Robinson (October 2, 1924 – May 8, 1972) was a United States Navy officer who was stationed in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War. Robinson died in 1972, in a helicopter crash; he was the only Navy flag officer killed during the Vietnam War. His remains were cremated and the ashes were spread at sea from off San Diego, California. Robinson has a memorial cross in Arlington National Cemetery.

Robinson was the last American flag officer to die as a result of official duty in a combat zone until Lieutenant General Timothy J. Maude was killed at the Pentagon in the September 11 attacks of 2001, and the last killed in the line of duty abroad until Major General Harold J. Greene in Afghanistan in 2014.

Early life and education Robinson was born October 2, 1924, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, the son of Issac, a World War I navy veteran, and Helen Bailey Robinson. He attended Pennsylvania State College for a time before enlisting in the Navy Reserve as a midshipman in 1943. He was commissioned in the Navy Reserve as an ensign in 1944.

Naval career World War II Upon commissioning, Robinson was assigned to the amphibious force, first on the staff of Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, then aboard the Landing Ship, Tank LST-485. While aboard LST-485, he participated in significant combat operations, including the Invasion of Okinawa, and also participated in the post-war evacuation of Chinese refugees fleeing from advancing Communist forces. Following this tour, Robinson served at the headquarters of the Fourth and Twelfth Naval Districts, and served aboard three additional LSTs, before transferring to the destroyer force.

Death In anticipation of the execute order for Pocket Money, Robinson flew with his chief of staff, Captain Edmund Taylor Jr.; Operations Officer, Commander John M. Leaver, Jr.; and Aviation (Intelligence/Plans Officer), Commander M.L. "Marty" McCullough, from his flagship, to , for an air and surface attack coordination meeting with Rear Admiral Damon W. Cooper, Commander, Attack Carrier Striking Force, Seventh Fleet. Later that evening, as the helicopter was attempting to land aboard Providence with the four men aboard, an engine failure caused it to crash into the Gulf of Tonkin. Robinson was recovered, but pronounced dead aboard the ship. McCullough survived the crash, along with the helicopter's crew; Taylor and Leaver were never found. Robinson was survived by his wife, Joan, and his children.

Awards Robinson's awards include:

Navy Distinguished Service Medalw/ " Gold StarBronze Star Medalw/ Combat "V" and " Gold StarCombat Action RibbonJoint Service Commendation MedalNavy Meritorious Unit CommendationChina Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ " Bronze StarWorld War II Victory MedalNavy Occupation Service Medalw/ 'Japan' claspNational Defense Service Medalw/ " Bronze StarKorean Service Medalw/ four " Bronze StarsVietnam Service Medalw/ one " Silver Star and two " Bronze StarsKnight of the National Order of VietnamRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry CrossUnited Nations Korea MedalVietnam Campaign MedalRepublic of Korea War Service Medal