Robert Blake (USMC)

Robert Blake (August 17, 1894 – October 2, 1983) was a highly decorated major general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was a recipient of the second highest decorations of the Army and Navy, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross, both of which he earned during his service in World War I. Blake also received second Navy Cross during Nicaraguan Campaign.

World War I
Blake was born on August 17, 1894, in Seattle, Washington, and attended the University of Washington. When United States declared War on Germany in April 1917, Blake reported for active duty and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on May 19, 1917.

After finishing of basic training, he was assigned to the 17th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and sent overseas to France. He arrived in France on November 19, 1917, and was appointed platoon leader in his company. Blake was also promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.

With the German spring offensive, 5th Marine Regiment participated in the Battle of Belleau Wood at the beginning of June 1918. When the liaison between Blake's 17th Company and other 1st Battalion 49th Company was interrupted, First Lieutenant Blake volunteered himself to maintained liaison with that unit. He crossed several times open field under heavy machine gun and sniper fire and reestablished the communication. Blake later crossed large wheat field under enemy fire and reached French unit. He subsequently returned with valuable information about enemy's position. For his extraordinary heroism in action, he was decorated with Distinguished Service Cross. He was later decorated with the Navy Cross for the same action.

Blake was promoted to the temporary rank of captain on July 1, 1918. He was later decorated with the Silver Star for his leadership during the Battle of Château-Thierry and appointed commanding officer of 66th Company of 1st Battalion. He later participated in the Battle of Soissons, Battle of Saint-Mihiel or Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Blake also received Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with two Gilt Stars from the Government of France and Order of the Crown, rank of Chevalier from Belgium.

World War II


On 8 July 1940, Blake was promoted to the rank of colonel and was assigned to the Senior Course at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. After his graduation in May 1941, he was appointed commanding officer (CO) of the 5th Marine Regiment. The regiment was garrisoned at New River Base, North Carolina for the next ten months.

In June 1942, six months after the United States entered World War II, Blake was transferred to the command of the 10th Defense Battalion and participated in the Solomon Islands campaign at Russell Islands. He was also in charge of antiaircraft defense of the islands. Colonel Blake was subsequently transferred to the 3rd Marine Division, where he served as the division's chief of staff under the command of Major General Allen H. Turnage. The 3rd Marine Division participated in Bougainville campaign, and Blake personally coordinated and planned amphibious operations. He was also responsible for the coordination of air and naval support. For his work during this operation, Blake was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

He remained in this capacity until February 1944, when he was transferred to the command of the 21st Marine Regiment. With the Second Battle of Guam in July 1944, Blake was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and appointed chief of staff of the Island Command of Guam. He was subsequently appointed deputy island commander in March 1945. He received his second Legion of Merit for this service.

On 20 June 1945, when the Battle of Okinawa was nearing its end, Blake was transferred to the staff of the Tenth Army under the command of General Joseph Stilwell, where he served as Marine Deputy Chief of Staff. In this capacity, Blake accepted the surrender of the Truk Islands Japanese Garrison under the command of Vice Admiral Chūichi Hara on 4 October 1945. A month later, Blake was appointed commanding general of the Occupation Forces, Truk and Central Caroline Islands.

Postwar career
Blake returned to the United States in June 1946 and was appointed president of the Postwar Personnel Reorganization Board and Naval Retirement Board at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. His main duty was to study the records of all officers who wanted to stay in the service. He subsequently made recommendations based on this records.

On 1 October 1946, Blake was appointed inspector general of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he succeeded his old friend, Major General Pedro del Valle. Blake remained in this capacity until his retirement on June 30, 1949. He was advanced to the rank of major general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat on the same date.

He subsequently resided in Berkeley, California, and died on October 2, 1983, in Oakland, California. Blake is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery.