A Las Vegas veteran who braved the second World War was personally awarded the French government’s highest honor at his home last month.
Private 1st Class Henry Robinson, 98, was surprised when unexpected visitors turned up at his house in Henderson.
‘I had the ambassador of France and the ambassador of the United States come to my house, and his contingencies talked to me,’ Robinson told KTNV.
He was shocked to learn that the French government was bestowing him with the French Legion of Honour for his wartime bravery.
The 98-year-old served as a scout behind enemy lines in 1944 when he entered the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. A year later, he helped liberate concentration camps and stayed after the war ended to help displaced people find homes.
Henry Robinson, a 98-year-old veteran of World War II, was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government
Robinson, affectionately known as ‘Robby,’ served as a scout behind enemy lines when he entered the war in 1944. A year later, he helped liberate concentration camps and stayed after the war ended to help displaced people find homes
In October 2023, Robinson met with Sebastien Thevenin (left), the Honorary Consul of France to Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Last month he was visited by the U.S. ambassador to France and the French ambassador, who named him a Knight
Robinson was named a Chevalier, or Knight, a title only granted to those with a minimum two decades of public service, and largely only given to those who died in battle.
Sebastien Thevenin, the Honorary Consul of France to Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, posted a photo with Robinson to X in October 2023.
‘I am very humbled to have met with soon-to-be awarded Knight of the French Legion of Honor, 98-year old WWII veteran Henry Robinson,’ Thevenin wrote. ‘Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice.’
Robinson himself said he received the decoration with his fallen brothers in mind.
‘I’d say, probably, in memory of those who didn’t come back,’ he said.
Memories of his time in war continue to haunt the 98-year-old. Robinson recalled how a badly injured 55th Infantry soldier had been stranded in ‘no man’s land,’ out of reach of help.
‘There was no way we could get to him to help him,’ Robinson explained. ‘And so he was out there by himself, wounded. And you could hear him calling, “Mom!” And that stays with you.’
Robinson, affectionately known as ‘Robby,’ was assigned to the 11th Armored Division, 22nd Tank Battalion.
Robinson (right) was previously honored in May 2022, embarking on a trip to Washington, D.C. as part of Honor Flight Nevada
He was among the veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars who visited monuments and memorials constructed in their honor
The 98-year-old entered combat in December 1944 and helped repel the Germans over the Prum River. He later served as a guard during the Nuremberg Trials and was honorably discharged in May 1946
He entered combat in December 1944 and helped his division repel the Germans over the Prum River.
Robinson later served as a guard during the Nuremberg Trials before he was honorably discharged and sent home in May 1946.
The 99-year-old was previously honored on a special trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2022 as part of Honor Flight Southern Nevada.
He was among the veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars who visited monuments erected in their memory.
At the time, Robinson said he believed taking part in the Honor Flight would help free him from the shadows of the past.
‘You can’t carry that forever, but a lot of guys do, and it shortens your life if you don’t get past it,’ the veteran explained.
In October 2023, 99-year-old John Gojmerac was also awarded a Legion of Honour during a ceremony in New York.
According to an Army news release, the Slovenian immigrant was drafted into the 3rd ID’s 7th Infantry Regiment, serving in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He was wounded twice.
The 99-year-old earned a Silver Star for repairing a telephone line between two platoons several times during a single engagement and capturing a German Soldier who was attempting to cut the line.
In October 2023, John Gojmerac, 99, was also awarded a Legion of Honour for serving in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany
The Slovenian immigrant was wounded twice in combat. He earned a Silver Star for repairing a telephone line between two platoons several times and capturing a German Soldier as he tried to cut the line
Like Robinson, Gojmerac received the award with his late comrades in mind.
‘I’m not accepting it for myself, but for the men that didn’t make it,’ Gojmerac said.
He and Robinson join the ranks of a select few granted the prestigious decoration. Robinson is one of 23 Las Vegas locals to receive it in the past decade and is the only surviving honoree.
However, Robinson insists he was only doing his duty.
‘It’s unnecessary,’ he said. ‘We only did what we were supposed to. You know, we only did what was required, and I’m thinking about the guys we lost.’
The 99-year-old will officially receive his medal on Monday during a ceremony officiated by Laurent Bili, France’s ambassador to the United States.