ROBERT BLAKE (MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT)

'Robert Blake' was a United States Navy sailor during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor. Blake, an escaped slave, was the second African American to perform a Medal of Honor action; William Harvey Carney was the first. Blake was the first African American to actually ''receive'' a Medal of Honor - his was presented to him in 1864, while Carney did not receive his until 1900. But, because Carney's Medal of Honor action occurred first, Carney, not Blake, is usually credited with being the first African American Medal of Honor recipient.

Contents

Biography

Medal of Honor

See also

Reference

Biography

Robert Blake was born into slavery in Virginia. After escaping, he enlisted in the Navy from Port Royal, Virginia and served on the USS ''Marblehead'' during the Civil War. He served as a "Contraband", as blacks who fled slavery for the protection of Union forces were called. While off Legareville, in the Stono River, South Carolina, on 25 December 1863, Blake served the rifle gun as ''Marblehead'' engaged Confederates on John's Island. The enemy eventually abandoned its position leaving munitions behind. For his bravery in this action, Blake was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Contraband, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: Virginia. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1864. Accredited to: Virginia.
'Citation:'
:''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. Serving the rifle gun, 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.''

See also

★ List of Medal of Honor recipients

★ List of African American Medal of Honor recipients

Reference

★ US People - Blake, Robert, Contraband, USN

★ US People - Blake, Robert, Contraband, USN