The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Contraband Robert Blake, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Marblehead off Legareville, Stono River, 25 December 1863, in an engagement with the enemy on John’s Island, South Carolina. Serving the rifle gun, Contraband Blake, an escaped slave, carried out his duties bravely throughout the engagement which resulted in the enemy’s abandonment of positions, leaving a caisson and one gun behind.