Donald Robison '63
September 22, 2025
Capt. Robison was commanding officer of M Company, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry, leading a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Duc Hoa. When his unit suddenly encountered a well-armed enemy battalion occupying fortified positions, Capt. Robison skillfully maneuvered his platoons to the point of heaviest contact and personally led an attack on the hostile force.
His company advanced on the Viet Cong positions in the face of an intense barrage of highly accurate automatic weapons, small arms and anti-tank rockets. One of the tanks in the lead platoon sustained a direct hit from a rocket, disabling the vehicle and wounding several crew members.
Capt. Robison fearlessly maneuvered his tank toward the disabled vehicle to prevent the insurgents from annihilating its crew. Firing his main gun and the turret machine gun, he provided protection for an evacuation team attempting to remove the casualties already suffered. He and his crew were wounded when his tank took a direct hit.
Disregarding his own welfare, Capt. Robison began to evacuate the wounded from his tank. Each time a wave of the enemy rushed his crippled vehicle, he stopped their advance with deadly suppressive fire. As the medics began moving the injured to a more secure area, Capt. Robison stayed on his tank to provide covering fire for them. He was killed by an enemy grenade while selflessly placing the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own in close combat with a determined enemy.
For more than a decade, UAF has been recognized as a "Military Friendly® School" for its efforts in providing a supportive environment for military and veteran families. Recently, the Department of Military and Veterans Services unveiled the UAF Veterans Wall inspired by the story of Captain Donald Robison ‘63, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War.