Robert Blake (Medal of Honor)

Robert Blake was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. He made history as the first African American to actually receive the Medal of Honor, with his award being presented in 1864.

While William Harvey Carney performed the first action that would earn the Medal of Honor, Blake was the first to physically receive the decoration. His heroic deeds and early recognition stand as a significant milestone in United States military history.

Blake served his country as a Seaman in the U.S. Navy. His legacy is defined by his groundbreaking receipt of the nation's highest award for valor during a critical period in the nation's history.