Biography
Year at ISU: ca. 1943
Private First Class Robert Nichols Blume was born April 5, 1925 in Ithaca, New York to Adrian F. Blume and Jeanette A. Nichols. His last home address was in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Robert was in the Army Student Training Program at Iowa State. He served one year and seven months with Company E, 11th Infantry, 5th infantry division before being killed in action near Echternach, Luxembourg.
He posthumously received a Purple Heart on April 12, 1945 and the Bronze Star, May 25, 1945. The Bronze Star citation reads:
"Private Blume, a radio operator, volunteered to go forward over exposed terrain which was under enemy artillery and mortar fire to clear an enemy machine gun emplacement which was bringing devastating fire on our troops. Despite the danger involved, Private Blume succeeded in making his way forward and silencing the weapon. On his return he was fired upon by an enemy sniper. While in search of the sniper he was killed by another sniper. His courage and devotion to duty was a great inspiration to all men of his company and reflects greatly upon himself and our armed forces."