Marine and JROTC Instructor

By Mitchell Locigno

Archie L. Robinson

February 25, 1929-December 23, 2018

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Archie Lee Robinson (1929-2018). (Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195641195/archie-lee-robinson.)

Sergeant Major Archie L. Robinson was born on February 25, 1929 to Terell Robinson and Mitchell Robinson in Rayville, Louisiana.[1] Robinson grew up with three brothers and one sister - Lucille Robinson, Mitchell Robinson Jr., Fred Robinson, Benny Robinson.[2] On October 9, 1946, Archie Robinson enlisted into the Marine Corps.[3] When Robinson was in the Marine Corps, he spent some time in North Carolina completing his recruitment training at Montford Point.[4] After this, he was tasked with making sure recruits were at their training events and was given the title of Assistant Drill Instructor.[5] Around 1947, Archie Robinson was moved to the Marine Corps air station in Hawaii. He was assigned duties as a steward, and later dishwashing and cleaning rooms. [6] Robinson did not like these duties, and a Captain worked to get Robinson a change of Military Occupation Specialty.[7]

         In 1949, Archie Robinson was re-enlisted because of his change of occupation.[8] He was stationed to the Marine Barracks Naval Ammunition Depot in Hawaii which was the only station to integrate African American Marines.[9] After this, Robinson realized he wanted to be in more combat scenarios and put in a request twice to transfer to Korea. He was then sent to California at Camp Pendleton so that he could practice advanced infantry training.[10] Once Robinson graduated, he was sent to Korea as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant for the Fox Company 2nd battalion.[11] Archie Robinson was injured on February 25, 1953 which happens to be his birthday.[12] He was sent to a hospital ship to help with his severe wounds; however, Robinson was soon evacuated to San Diego where they have Naval hospitals. After he recovered, Robinson was sent to the Marine Barracks Treasure Island in California. He made sure that the Marines coming back from overseas were processed.[13]

         In 1960, he was serving at Camp Pendleton with the occupation of weapons instructor.[14] Two years later he was transferred to North Carolina at Camp Lejeune as a Rifle Platoon Commander.[15] Robinson was part of the Alpha Company and served as a Company Gunnery Sergeant. Later in 1968, Robinson decided to join the war efforts in Vietnam.[16] He was transferred to Vietnam where he served for a year in the 3rd battalion.[17] Robinson also contributed to war efforts in Japan—more specifically, Okinawa, in 1973.[18]

         Sergeant Major Archie Robinson finally returned back to the United States in 1974 at the Marine Corps district in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[19] He served as a battalion sergeant major here until he until he retired in 1976 in November.[20] Adams City High School sent Robinson an offer to be the marine instructor for marine corps JROTC in 1979. Robinson accepted and worked with the JROTC until 1995.[21]

Archie Lee Robinson (1929-2018). (Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195641195/archie-lee-robinson.)

Archie Robinson served with the Marine Corps for around 30 years. When Archie Robinson first enlisted, he was treated differently due to racism and racial discrimination. Most of the African American Marines were sent to Montford Point which did not give them many opportunities.[22] Basic privileges were not always easy to come by as Robinson along with other African Americans had to shower outside.[23] African Americans, including Robinson, served in segregated units. However, he was determined and even dropped out of college in order to become a member of the Marine Corps.[24] Robinson wanted to be a part of the Marine Corps because he knew their stance on African Americans was tough.[25] In other words, he wanted to prove that he was not only capable but could excel; and that is exactly what Robinson did. We can see that Archie Robinson was no stranger to adversity and seemed to tackle it head on.

After his time serving, Archie Robinson received numerous accolades for his efforts and contributions. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Robinson around 2012 which is considered to be the “nation’s highest civilian honor.”[26] Robinson made great efforts to help the United States in spite of second-class treatment. His efforts were recognized at Adams City High School—the rifle range there was named “Robinson Range” after his death.[27] Sergeant Major Archie Robinson greatly impacted many people during his service, not only as a marine but as an instructor.

Footnotes ↓

[1] “Obituary of Sergeant Major Archie Robinson,” All Veterans Funeral & Cremation, accessed May 27, 2021, https://allveterans.com/tribute/details/159595/Sergeant-Archie-Robinson/obituary.html.

[2] https://www.ancestry.com

[3] “SGM Archie Lee Robinson (1929-2018),” Find a Grave, accessed May 28, 2021 ttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195641195/archie-lee-robinson.

[4] “Obituary - Archie Robinson.”

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] “Robinson,” Find a Grave.

[8] Ibid.

[9] “Obituary - Archie Robinson.”

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] “Robinson,” Find a Grave.

[15] Ibid.

[16] “Obituary - Archie Robinson.”

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

[21] “Robinson,” Find a Grave.

[22] Joe Rubino, “Obituary Announcement Sgt Maj Archie Lee Robinson, ” National Montford Point Marines Association Inc., accessed May 30, 2021, https://montfordpointmarines.org/resources/Documents/The%20Obituary%20Announcement%20of%20Mr%20%20Archie%20Lee%20Robinson.pdf.

[23] Ibid.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid.

[26] “Obituary - Archie Robinson.”

[27] Ibid.

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