Hometown: Clearfield, PA
Branch: U.S. Navy
Unit: USS Providence (CLG-6), Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 11
Military Honors: Distinguished Service Medal (2) with Gold Star, Bronze Star (2)  with Gold Star and Combat “V”
Date of Sacrifice: May 8, 1972 - KIA in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea, North Vietnam
Age: 47
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Rear Admiral Rembrandt Cecil “Rem” Robinson served in the United States Navy for 26 years and in three conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 1924, to Isaac and Helen (Bailey) Robinson, he attended Pennsylvania State College in the town of State College before enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve on June 5, 1943.

Appointed as a Midshipman, Robinson attended the Naval Reserve Midshipmen School on the USS Prairie State (IX-15) and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on October 26, 1944.

While serving in World War II (1939-1945) in the Pacific theater—aboard the tank landing ship USS LST-485—Robinson saw extensive combat with the 5th Amphibious Force, including the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. The operation included over 60,000 U.S. forces and was the final island battle before a planned invasion of mainland Japan. After the war, his ship assisted with the evacuation of refugees fleeing Communist forces in China.

Following various administrative and strategic planning assignments, in 1949 Robinson served as Engineering Officer aboard the USS English (DD-696). His service on the English during the Korean War (1950-1953) earned him a Bronze Star medal with Combat “V”.

Robinson’s career included appointment as Executive officer of the USS Walker (DD-517) from November 1954 to July of 1956. He was the first Commanding Officer of the USS Charles Berry (DE-1035), serving from November 1959 to November 1960. He took command of destroyer USS Bradford (DD-545) from December 1960 until January 1962.

Throughout his 26-year Navy career, Rembrandt Robinson’s capabilities drew the notice of his superiors. He received early promotions three times, and on September 1, 1970, advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral. At age 44, he was one of the youngest to achieve a flag officer rank in the history of the U.S. Navy.

During the Vietnam War (1959-1975), Admiral Robinson headed up Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s military staff in 1969. In that role, Robinson helped update plans for the mining of Haiphong Harbor in North Vietnam. The plans became the basis for “Operation Pocket Money,” a tactic to block the supply of weapons to enemy combatants through the city of Hanoi.

In 1971, Admiral Robinson returned to sea duty from his assignment in Washington D.C., taking command of Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 11 and Task Force 75. In May of 1972, President Richard M. Nixon took Kissinger’s advice and ordered the execution of Operation Pocket Money.

After receiving the order, Robinson flew by helicopter from his flagship, the USS Providence (CLG-6), to a coordination meeting with Rear Admiral Damon Cooper aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43).

On his return trip to Providence on the evening of May 8, 1972, one of the two engines on Robinson’s helicopter failed. They crashed into the side of the ship and overturned into the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Admiral Robinson, age 47, was killed along with his Chief of Staff, Cpt. Edmund Taylor, and Operations Officer, Cdr. John Leaver.

Rear Admiral Rembrandt C. “Rem” Robinson was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. (Section MF, Site 30-5). He is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with his name inscribed on Panel 1W, Line 15.

Sources
Naval History and Heritage Command: Rembrandt Cecil Robinson
Naval History and Heritage Command: Providence IV (CL-82)
Arlington National Cemetery: Rembrandt Cecil Robinson – Rear Admiral, United States Navy
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Wall of Faces: Rembrandt Cecil Robinson
Rear Admiral Rembrandt C. Robinson, USN
Cdr. John G. Robinson, U.S. Navy (Retired), United States Naval Institute: Pounding the Do Son Peninsula
Together We Served: Robinson, Rembrandt Cecil, RADM
Burial Site: Find a Grave