Robert Blake

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Contraband Robert Blake, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Marblehead off Legareville, Stono River, 25 December 1863, in an engagement with the enemy on John’s Island, South Carolina. Serving the rifle gun, Contraband Blake, an escaped slave, carried out his duties bravely throughout the engagement which resulted in the enemy’s abandonment of positions, leaving a caisson and one gun behind.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Blake, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Bois-de-Belleau, France, June 6, 1918. When the line was temporarily held up, Lieutenant Blake volunteered and maintained liaison with the 49th Company, continually crossing and re-crossing an open field swept by intense machine-gun fire. Later in the engagement he established liaison with the French unit on the left flank, crossing a wheat field under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, and returned with valuable information.

The Navy Cross is presented to Robert Blake, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving in the Northern Area of the Republic of Nicaragua from 10 February to 30 June 1929, successively as Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander in the Eleventh Regiment, U.S.M.C. As Company Commander and Battalion Executive Officer of the Second Battalion, he was engaged in and led active combat patrols against bandits. During this time he distinguished himself by his personal courage and bravery. His qualities of leadership and ability in the line of his profession were outstanding. As a Battalion Commander, Captain Blake originated and successfully conducted important coordinated active combat operations against bandits in Western Nueva Segovia which were of great value in the suppression of banditry in this area.
Authority – USMC Communiqué: 082-1-3 ACE-jfb (19 March 1930)

The Navy Cross is presented to Robert Blake, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Bois-de-Belleau, France, June 6, 1918. When the line was temporarily held up, Lieutenant Blake volunteered and maintained liaison with the 49th Company, continually crossing and re-crossing an open field swept by intense machine- gun fire. Later in the engagement he established liaison with the French unit on the left flank, crossing a wheat field under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, and returned with valuable information.