David Brooks Robinson (born 26 October 1939) is a retired United States Navy vice admiral. He served as

commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific (COMNAVSURFPAC) is a United States Navy vice admiral, who leads the Naval Surface Force, United States Pacific Fleet. The commander is also designated as commander, Naval Surface Force (COMNAVSURFOR), a "du ...

from 1993 to 1996. Robinson was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions as the commanding officer of a patrol gunboat in Vietnam.

Early life and education

Born in Alexandria, Louisiana and raised in Denton, Texas, Robinson graduated from Denton Senior High School in 1958. He then studied at Texas A&M University for one year before being appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1959. Robinson graduated in June 1963 with a B.S. degree in naval science. He later earned an M.S. degree in oceanography from the

Naval Postgraduate School The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a public graduate school operated by the United States Navy and located in Monterey, California. It offers master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 70 fields of study to the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD ci ...

in October 1969. His thesis was entitled '' Seiching in Monterey Bay''.

Military career

A career surface warfare officer, Robinson commanded the patrol gunboats from November 1969 to March 1971 and from March 1971 to September 1971 in South Vietnam. During a patrol mission up the

Bồ Đề River The Bồ Đề River ( vi, Sông Bồ Đề) is a river of Cà Mau Province, Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of ...

on 11 August 1970, ''Canon'' came under simultaneous fire from enemy forces concealed on both shores. Despite a broken leg and shrapnel wounds from a rocket explosion, Robinson directed return fire until the attack was suppressed. He then remained at his post strapped to a upright stretcher until ''Canon'' was safely moored at a forward base upstream. Robinson was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. Robinson served as the executive officer of the guided missile destroyer from October 1974 to April 1976. He then served as the commanding officer of the guided missile destroyer from April 1976 to July 1978. Robinson later served as the commanding officer of the guided missile cruiser USS ''Richmond K. Turner'' from January 1983 to July 1984. As a flag officer, Robinson commanded Cruiser Destroyer Group 8 from July 1988 to August 1989. He then served as Vice Director and Director for Operational Plans and Interoperability on the Joint Staff from September 1989 to December 1991, which included Pentagon oversight and analysis of Gulf War operations. Robinson next became Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Pacific Fleet in January 1992. In April 1993, Robinson was promoted to vice admiral and assumed command of the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Personal

Robinson married Juliet Gene Kirkpatrick (22 March 1940 – 12 October 2005) on 1 August 1964 in Denton, Texas. They have two sons and five grandchildren.

References

1939 births Living people People from Alexandria, Louisiana People from Denton, Texas Texas A&M University alumni United States Naval Academy alumni Naval Postgraduate School alumni United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) United States Navy personnel of the Gulf War Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Navy admirals Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal {{US-navy-bio-stub