The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private Robert Lester Blackwell (ASN: 1316563), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 11 October 1918, while serving with Company K, 119th Infantry, 30th Division, in action at St. Souplet, France. When his platoon was almost surrounded by the enemy and his platoon commander asked for volunteers to carry a message calling for reinforcements, Private Blackwell volunteered for this mission, well knowing the extreme danger connected with it. In attempting to get through the heavy shell and machinegun fire this gallant soldier was killed.