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==