William Robinson was Flight Mechanic of “Dutchy 41”, a rescue helicopter participating in the SAR for ESSEX 04, an F-105D piloted by Captain Willis E. Forby, who was captured when his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed. After “Dutchy 41” crashed Captain Duane Martin (Pilot) evaded and made his way to Laos and was captured by the Pathet Lao. Captain Thomas Curtis (Senior Pilot) and two enlisted crewman, Airman First Class William Robinson and Airman Third Class Black were captured after the crash and held in North Vietnam until they were repatriated on February 27, 1973, after seven years in captivity. All four members of the crew were awarded the Air Force Cross. He was subsequently offered and accepted a commission as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. With Arthur Black, William Robinson shares the record as the longest-held enlisted American Prisoner of War in history.