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Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Major C. Robinson

A headshot of Major C. Robinson (right) in front of a painting.

Clifford Robinson and Major C. Robinson

North Wilkesboro, NC

Enlisted 1938 & 1940

Major C. Robinson standing beside military equipment.

Major C. Robinson posing for a photo at his campsite.

Major C. Robinson and his first wife, Rachel Souther Robinson (Wilkes County, 1949). 

Major C. Robinson's children. 

Back Row (L to R): Janice, Judy, and Karen

Front Row: Barbara

Major C. Robinson's sons (1968).

(L to R): Darrell, Douglas, and Howard.

Major C. Robinson (center) and his buddies in Casablanca (Morocco,1943).

Major C. Robinson holding his firstborn daughter, Janice, posing with his three sons. 

Sons (L to R): Darrell, Douglas, and Howard.

Major C. Robinson's sons posing for a photo (April 1955).

(L to R): Darrel, Douglas, and Howard

Major C. Robinson's first wife, Rachel, holding their firstborn child, Howard.

June, 1950.

Major C. Robinson holding his firstborn child, Howard

(June 1950). 

Major C. Robinson's parent's, John Parks and Goldie (Hayes) Robinson

Major C. Robinson (left) and his pal sitting outside a pup tent.

Major C. Robinson's children pose for a photo (March 1968).

(L to R): Barbara, Polly, Karen, Judy, Janice holding Alma, Darrell, Douglas, and Howard.

Major C. Robinson and his first wife, Rachel, pose for a photo together.

Major C. Robinson reading the newspaper at his home

(Wilkes County). 

Major C. Robinson and his children. 

Back Row (L to R): Major C. Robinson, Howard, Douglas, and Darrell.

Middle Row (L to R): Alma, Karen, Polly, and Barbara.

Front Row (L to R): Judy and Janice

Major C. Robinson and his grandchildren (Wilkes County).

Major C. Robinson riding his tractor. 

Major C. Robinson at his 90th birthday party. 

Back Row (L to R): Karen, Alma, and Barbara

Front Row (L to R): Polly, Major C. Robinson, and Janice

Freddie S. and Carl S. 

 '42

Major C. Robinson.

1940

Major C. Robinson's brother, Claude Robinson.

Dewitt and Freddy

1944

Freddie and Grace

1944

Grace

1944

Dewitt and Grace

1944

Dewitt

1942

1942

Stella, Gradie, and Rachel

1942

All the Kids

(L to R) Barbra, Polly, Karen, Judy, Janice holding Alma, Darrel, Douglas, and Howard.

March 1968 (Alma 9 wks)

Letters and Documents

Photocopy of V-Mail sent by Major C. Robinson while overseas (January 5, 1944).

Died as He Lived - Major C's brother Claude

Discharge of Major C. Robinson

July 31, 1945

Official Discharge Paperwork for Major C. Robinson (Part 1)

Enlisted Record and Report of Separation for Honorable Discharge Paperwork for Major C. Robinson (Part 2)

Seperation Paperwork for Major C. Robinson (Part 3)

The Robinson brothers (Major C. Robinson, John Robinson, Clifford Robinson, and Claude Robinson) featured on the front page of Newsworld newspaper.

A close up of the Robinson brothers (Major C. Robinson, John Robinson, Clifford Robinson, and Claude Robinson) featured on the front page of Newsworld newspaper.

Major C. Robinson is a U.S. Army Veteran. Serving as a member of the 20th Engineer Battalion from 1941 to 1945 and fighting for the Allies during World War II, he worked as a toolroom keeper in Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. Moreover, as an engineer, he used his skills to construct bridges during Germany's Invasion of France while fighting on the front lines, often replacing his comrades lost in battle. 

Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, to John Park Robinson and Goldie Robinson, Robinson worked primarily as a carpenter constructing wooden buildings and installing doors, windows, floors, and roofs. He also worked as a farmworker, helping plant, cultivate, and harvest corn, wheat, rye, and vegetables on his father's farm before enlisting in the Army in 1941. 

In his early days of service, while stationed in Casablanca, Morocco, Robinson spent his days tracking German enemy soldiers before deploying to Italy for a short period, where he continued his work as a toolroom keeper, receiving, storing, and issuing tools for his platoon. He deployed to the United Kingdom immediately after, where his chief assignment was to prepare for the German Invasion of France.

Upon his arrival in France, Robinson recalled besting enemy soldiers' attempts to wipe out the ship used to transport him and his men. During this time, Robinson also recalled his primary task of building bridges and replacing his comrades lost in battle while his team awaited replacement soldiers.

Following his service in France and after World War II concluded, Robinson returned to the U.S. after embarking on a sightseeing journey across Europe. Stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, his service officially ended in July 1945. Returning home and surprising his family in Wilkes County, North Carolina, Robinson moved back in with his parents shortly after. He passed on July 16, 2015.

Military Service Overview

Battalion: Co B 20th ENGR Combat BN

Battles/Campaigns: Tunisia: Sicily: Algeria-French-Morocco; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes; Central Europe

Decorations: American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal GO#5 HQ 20th ENGR (C) BN 7MAR 44; EMET Campaign Medal with 8 Bronze Service Stars & with 1 Bronze Service Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Badge GO50 HQ 1st DIV 30JUL44

Military Specialties - Engineer basic, Pioneer, Toolroom Keeper