Robert Blake

Escaped slavery to man a blazing rifle gun on Christmas Day.

Robert Blake emerged from slavery into Union naval service and, on Christmas Day 1863, fought a rifle gun under fire aboard USS Marblehead. He was born in South Carolina, but modern historical research has shown that two enslaved men named Robert Blake appear in the surviving records, making some details of the recipient's early life uncertain.

On 25 December 1863, Marblehead fought Confederate forces near Legareville on the Stono River. Blake, then recorded in the Navy as a 'Contraband,' served the rifle gun throughout the engagement. His steady performance helped the ship drive the opposing force from its position, leaving a gun and caisson behind.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

While serving the rifle gun aboard USS Marblehead off Legareville, Blake carried out his duties bravely throughout the engagement, which ended with the enemy abandoning its position and equipment.

Blake's Medal of Honor was presented on 16 April 1864, making him one of the earliest Black recipients to receive the decoration. The surviving evidence does not securely establish his later life or death, so those details are not supplied here. The source export's rank of Seaman is not altered, but the Medal of Honor record describes his action rank as 'Contraband.'