Robert Lester Blackwell Monument, Roxboro
The monument stands outside of the Person County Courthouse. It is a marble statue depicting Robert Lester Blackwell, a soldier from Person County who died in World War I. The monument stands 10 feet in height.
Images:
View of the memorial and Confederate Monument behind it |
Inscription |
Back view |
Close-up view of the statue | View of
Blackwell monument with the Person County Courthouse |
Far-off view |
View of Blackwell monument with Korean War Memorial and Person County Veterans Memorial
ROBERT LESTER BLACKWELL / BORN OCT. 4 1895 / SON OF A TENANT FARMER / ON OCTOBER 11, 1918, NEAR ST. SOUPLET, FRANCE / HIS UNIT CO. K. 119TH INF. 30TH DIV. WAS CUT OFF / AND FACED DESTRUCTION. THE OFFICER IN CHARGE / SENT A MAN FOR HELP, HE WAS KILLED, HE SENT / ANOTHER AND HE WAS KILLED, HE THEN CALLED / FOR VOLUNTEERS, LESTER TRIED TO GET THROUGH. / HE LOST HIS LIFE. FOR THIS HE WAS AWARDED / THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. / SPONSORED BY LESTER BLACKWELL POST 138
American Legion Post
November 11, 1965
36.393520 , -78.984000
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"Robert Lester Blackwell - Roxboro, North Carolina," Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com, (accessed June 3, 2014) Link
"Statue Unveiled at Veterans Day Ceremonies." The Courier Times (Roxboro, NC), November 15, 1965, Sec 2:1
Bolden, Don. "Statue To Honor War Hero." The Daily Times-News (Burlington, NC), November 9, 1965, Sec B:1
Center of Military History - United States Army. "World War I," Medal of Honor Recipients (accessed June 3, 2014) Link
Military Times. "Robert Lester Blackwell" (accessed June 3, 2014) Link
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. "World War I Medal of Honor Recipient Robert Blackwell," This Day in North Carolina History (accessed June 3, 2014) Link
Yes
Rowan county granite
American Legion Post
The Robert Lester Blackwell monument was unveiled at Person County Courthouse on November 11, 1965 in honor of Veteran's Day. Over 200 people attended. The ceremony, sponsored by American Legion Post 138, featured an advance of the colors of the color guard, a prayer by Rev. L. G. Elliot, a pledge to the flag and a performance of the Roxboro Consolidated Band. Additionally, former American Legion Post Commander N. E. David spoke kindly about Blackwell and the ceremony also recognized Blackwell's relatives. James Ramsey act as the featured speaker for the event.
Robert Lester Blackwell was born on October 4, 1895 in Person County. He was the youngest of James B. Blackwell's six children. His father was both a Civil War veteran and a tenant farmer. Blackwell himself was drafted into the army on September 19, 1917. He was assigned to Company K, 119th Infantry, 13th Division. While on the battlefield near Souplet, France, Blackwell volunteered to carry a message calling for reinforcements despite the imminent danger. He was killed during his efforts, for which he was awarded the only Congressional Medal of Honor given to a North Carolinian at that time. He was also given the Cross of war from Italy and Portugal.
The memorial is located on the courthouse square in downtown Roxboro, NC near the intersection of Main Street and Abbitt Street. Korean War Memorial and Person County Veterans Memorial stand on its left. Located on the other corner of the courthouse square, near the intersection of Main Street and Court Street, are Confederate Memorial, Monument to Confederate Captains from Person County, and World War Two Memorial.
The memorial stands on the landscaped courthouse lawn, shaded by mature trees.
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