Robert L. Blackwell
Encyclopedia
Robert Lester Blackwell (October 4, 1895 – October 11, 1918) was an American
soldier
who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
during World War I
. He was born in the vicinity of Hurdle Mills
, in Person County, North Carolina
, to James B. and Eugenia Blackwell. Robert's father was originally from nearby Orange County
, and was a Confederate
Civil War
veteran; his mother died when he was young. Blackwell was raised on his family's farm, and entered the Army from Hurdle Mills.
He was assigned to Company K, 119th Infantry
, 30th Division. He was one of two soldiers from North Carolina
to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the First World War.
He is buried in Somme American Cemetery and Memorial
, Somme Picardie, France. His grave can be found in plot D, row 20, grave 2. Robert's father received the medal May 6, 1919, from North Carolina Governor Thomas Bickett in a ceremony in the North Carolina State Capitol
. The family later donated the medal to what is now the North Carolina Museum of History
.
, and shortly after World War I there was the Robert Lester Blackwell American Legion
Post No. 138 in Roxboro, North Carolina
.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
who posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was born in the vicinity of Hurdle Mills
Hurdle Mills, North Carolina
Hurdle Mills is an unincorporated community in southern Person County and northern Orange County, North Carolina. It is located on North Carolina Highway 157, southwest of Roxboro, at an elevation of 614 feet...
, in Person County, North Carolina
Person County, North Carolina
Person County is a county located in the Piedmont region in north-central North Carolina in the United States. It is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area. The population was 39,464 at the 2010 census.The county seat is Roxboro...
, to James B. and Eugenia Blackwell. Robert's father was originally from nearby Orange County
Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 133,801. Its county seat is Hillsborough...
, and was a Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
veteran; his mother died when he was young. Blackwell was raised on his family's farm, and entered the Army from Hurdle Mills.
He was assigned to Company K, 119th Infantry
119th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 119th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army.The unit was an organic element of the 30th ID Old Hickory of the United States Army.-Distinctive Unit Insignia:...
, 30th Division. He was one of two soldiers from North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the First World War.
He is buried in Somme American Cemetery and Memorial
Somme American Cemetery and Memorial
Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in France is sited in the commune of Bony, on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside, in northern France. The cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of the United States' military dead from World War I. Most lost their lives while...
, Somme Picardie, France. His grave can be found in plot D, row 20, grave 2. Robert's father received the medal May 6, 1919, from North Carolina Governor Thomas Bickett in a ceremony in the North Carolina State Capitol
North Carolina State Capitol
The North Carolina State Capitol is the main house of government of the U.S. state of North Carolina. Housing the offices of the Governor of North Carolina, it is located in the state capital of Raleigh on Union Square at One East Edenton Street. The cornerstone of the Greek Revival building was...
. The family later donated the medal to what is now the North Carolina Museum of History
North Carolina Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History is located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Permanent exhibits focus on the state’s military history, decorative arts, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and more. Visitors will see a variety of short-term and traveling exhibits...
.
Honors
A statue to honor his heroism stands today in Roxboro, North CarolinaRoxboro, North Carolina
Roxboro is a city and the county seat of Person County, North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the city of Roxboro has a population of 8,362. The city is 30 miles north of Durham, NC. It is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area.-History:...
, and shortly after World War I there was the Robert Lester Blackwell American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
Post No. 138 in Roxboro, North Carolina
Roxboro, North Carolina
Roxboro is a city and the county seat of Person County, North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the city of Roxboro has a population of 8,362. The city is 30 miles north of Durham, NC. It is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area.-History:...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company K, 119th Infantry, 30th Division. Place and date: Near St. Souplet, France, October 11, 1918. Entered service at: Hurdle Mills, N.C. Birth: Person County, N.C. G.O. No.: 13, W.D., 1919.Citation:
When his platoon was almost surrounded by the enemy and his platoon commander asked for volunteers to carry a message calling for reinforcements, Pvt. Blackwell volunteered for this mission, well knowing the extreme danger connected with it. In attempting to get through the heavy shell and machinegun fire this gallant soldier was killed.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I