Roscoe Robinson, Jr.

Roscoe Robinson Jr. (11 October 1928 – 22 July 1993) was the first African American to become a four-star general in the United States Army. He served as the United States representative to the NATO Military Committee. Robinson previously served as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division and then of United States Army, Japan.

Early life and education Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Robinson graduated from Sumner High School in January 1946 and then attended Stowe College for one semester. He studied at Saint Louis University for a year and then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1947. He graduated with a B.S. degree in military engineering in 1951. Robinson graduated from the advanced course at the United States Army Infantry School in 1957. 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 public and international affairs. Robinson later graduated from the National War College in 1969.

Career

After graduating from West Point, 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 Army Infantry School. He was subsequently awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal in 1983.

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 on November 30, 1985. He was then awarded with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and a second Army Distinguished Service Medal. 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.