Robert Blume

Robert Blume (November 19, 1868–September 16, 1937) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Biography
Blume was born November 19, 1868 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and after entering the navy in 1897 he was sent as a seaman to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the USS Nashville.

He died September 16, 1937 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 6, grave 9752-SS, map grid V/W 19.5.

Stolen Medal of Honor
In 2003 an agent working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation was posing as a buyer when two people attempted to sell two Medals of Honor to him. One medal belonged to Blume and the other to United States Army First Sergeant George Washington Roosevelt who received his in actions during the American Civil War. Edward Fedora and his wife, were charged with violating, Unlawful Sale of a Medal of Honor. Edward Fedora, a Canadian businessman, plead guilty and was sentenced to prison, but there is no record of what happened to his wife Gisela.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 19 November 1868, Pittsburgh, Pa. Accredited to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.

Citation:

"On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Blume set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action."