He was born in the vicinity of Hurdle Mills, in Person County, North Carolina, to James B. and Eugenia Blackwell.

Robert's father was originally from nearby Orange County, and was a Confederate Civil War veteran; his mother died when he was young.

Blackwell was raised on his family's farm, and entered the Army from Hurdle Mills.

He was one of two soldiers from North Carolina to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the First World War.

[3] A statue to honor his heroism stands today in Roxboro, North Carolina, and shortly after World War I there was the Robert Lester Blackwell American Legion Post No.