Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Army
Robert Lester Blackwell
Details
- Rank: Private
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Unit/Command:
Company K, 119th Infantry,
30th Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: October 11, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: near St. Souplet, France
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 machine-gun fire this gallant soldier was killed.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Hurdle Mills, Person County, North Carolina
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Born: October 4, 1895, Person County, NC, United States
- Died: October 11, 1918, France
- Buried: Somme Cemetery (MH) (D-20-2), Bony Aisne, France
- Location of Medal: North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC