Rembrandt C. Robinson
| Rembrandt C. Robinson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
October 2, 1924 Clearfield, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 1972 (aged 47) Gulf of Tonkin |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1943–1972 |
| Rank |
 Rear admiral
|
| Commands held |
USS Charles Berry USS Bradford Destroyer Squadron 31 Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 11/Commander of the Seventh Fleet Cruisers and Destroyers (COMCRUDESGRUSEVENTHFLEET) |
| Battles/wars | |
Rembrandt Cecil Robinson (October 2, 1924 – May 8, 1972) was a United States Navy officer who served as Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 11 and Commander of the Seventh Fleet Cruisers and Destroyers (COMCRUDESGRUSEVENTHFLEET) 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 USS Orleck off San Diego, California. Admiral Robinson has a memorial cross in Arlington National Cemetery.
Robinson was the last American servicemember of at least one-star rank to die as a result of official duty in a combat zone until Lt. Gen. 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 Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene in Afghanistan in 2014.
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.
Upon commissioning, Robinson was assigned to the amphibious force, first on the staff of Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, then aboard 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 LST's, before transferring to the destroyer force.
In 1949, Robinson reported aboard USS English as chief engineer. While aboard English, Robinson received the first of two Bronze Star Medals, for meritorious service after North Korean shore batteries attacked the ship at Wonson. Upon completing this tour in 1952, Robinson served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. From 1954 to 1956, Robinson served as executive officer of USS Walker, after which he attended the Armed Forces Staff College. Following his studies, Robinson reported for duty at the assistant head of the Command Policy Section, Strategic Plans Division, within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
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