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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

Robert Blume

Seaman Robert Blume, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898

Seaman Robert Blume was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Nashville. Blume was 29 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard. He later rose to the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate.

Blume was born on November 19, 1868 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Blume died on September 16, 1937 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 68. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mount Pleasant, SC.

Blume is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Blume set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I, Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Pittsburgh — map
  • Died: Washington, D.C. — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →

Timeline

  1. November 19, 1868
    Born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 29. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. September 16, 1937
    Died in Washington, District of Columbia
    Age 68.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Robert E Blume (November 19, 1868 – September 16, 1937) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert Blume”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John James Doran Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from New Jersey

WT William H. Thompkins Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 GW George Henry Wanton Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.