William Harvey Carney

William Harvey Carney. United States Army. , William Harvey Carney was born into slavery in Virginia in 1840. His father bought his son's freedom after his own escape from slavery through the Underground Railroad., In 1863 the United States Army allowed African Americans to serve in combat roles. Carney volunteered and became a Union soldier during the American Civil War. He took part in the July 18, 1863 assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. When the color guard was killed, Carney retrieved the U.S. flag and marched forward with it, despite serious wounds., [Photo caption reads] William Harvey Carney with Medal of Honor, On May 23, 1900 President Theodore Roosevelt awarded Carney the Medal of Honor for his valor in saving the regimental colors during the Battle of Fort Wagner 37 years earlier. His actions are the earliest act of African American bravery to be recognized with the medal, however his medal was actually one of the last to be awarded for Civil War service., As a self-liberated man, Sergeant William H. Carney knew that fighting for the freedom of others could come at the cost of his own freedom. African Americans who fought in the Union Army took an enormous risk. According to Captain Luis F. Emilio. "The hesitant policy of our government permitted the Rebels to confront every black solider with the threat of death or slavery..." The Medal of Honor awarded to him reflects his courageous and meritorious actions that went above and beyond the call of duty.", Sergeant Carney received an honorable discharge in June 1864 due to disability resulting from his wounds., He died on December 9th, 1908 at City Hospital. State Chaplain Edward A. Horton, led the funeral service. Carney's G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) post "performed the ritual" and "a squad from the Sons of Veterans fired a volley over the grave.", [Photo caption reads] Sgt. William Harvey Carney holding the American Flag, ca. 1864., On the afternoon of December 11, 1908, the flags at the Massachusetts State House flew at half-staff. The flag flew in honor and remembrance of the life of Sergeant William Harvey Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. This day marked one of the first times in Massachusetts history that the honor had been given to an African American man, CITATION, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , When the color sergeant was shot down this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet and planted the colors thereupon. When the troops fell back, he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded., CONFLICT/ERA: U.S. Civil War , RANK: Sergeant , UNIT/COMMAND: Company C, 54th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , ENLISTED FROM: New Bedford, MA, United States , BORN: February 29, 1840, Norfolk, VA, United States , ACTION PLACE: Fort Wagner, South Carolina , ACTION DATE: July 18, 1863 , PRESENTATION DETAILS: Presented by President Theodore Roosevelt , PRESENTATION DATE: May 23, 1900 , DIED: December 9, 1908 , BURIED: Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford, MA, United States