page_title: Robert Blake (USMC)
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: Robert Blake (USMC) / World War II
caption_attribution_description: U.S. Marine Corps General Robert Blake inspects Japanese troops on Dublon island, Truk, on 4 October 1945. The by-passed Japanese were facing starvation before their surrender.
context_page_description: Robert Blake 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.
context_section_description: On 8 July 1940, Blake was promoted to the rank of colonel and was assigned to Senior Course at Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. After his graduation in May 1941, he was appointed commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment. Regiment was garrisoned at New River Base, North Carolina for next ten months. 
  In June 1942, Blake was transferred to the command of 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 division 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 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 almost over, Blake was transferred to the staff of Tenth United States Army under the command of General Joseph Stilwell, where he served as Marine Deputy Chief of Staff. In this capacity, Blake accepted surrender of the Truk Islands Japanese Garrison under 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.
caption: General Robert Blake inspects Japanese troops on Dublon island, Truk, on 4 October 1945. The by-passed Japanese were facing starvation before their surrender.
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