Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Boatswain's Mate Robert M. Blair received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 24, 1864 at Fort Fisher & Wilmington, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Pontoosuc. Blair was about 28 years old.
8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Blair was born in 1836 in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vermont. His Medal of Honor is credited to Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. Blair died on April 2, 1899 in Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of about 63. He is buried at Enid Cemetery in Enid, Oklahoma.
Blair is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 66 credited to Maine.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, 24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully throughout this period, Blair was recommended for gallantry and skill and for his cool courage while under the fire of the enemy throughout these actions.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Timeline
- 1836Born in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vermont
- December 24, 1864Act of valor — Fort Fisher & Wilmington, North CarolinaAge about 28. U.S.S. Pontoosuc
- April 2, 1899Died in Enid, OklahomaAge about 63.
- Resting placeEnid CemeteryEnid, Oklahoma
Biography
Robert M. Blair (c. 1836–1899) was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.
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