Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. He was the first African-American to be recognized as having performed an act of bravery that warrented the awarding of the Medal of Honor. He was a member of Company C, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. On July 18, 1863, during the Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, he was nearby when commander Colonel Robert G. Shaw was shot down. Summoning all of his strength, Carney held aloft the colors and continued the charge. Having been shot several times, he kept the colors flying high, and miraculously survived the struggle. It has been estimated that over half of the regiment became casualties in this deadly engagement, which was depicted in the movie "Glory" (1989).
Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. He was the first African-American to be recognized as having performed an act of bravery that warrented the awarding of the Medal of Honor. He was a member of Company C, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. On July 18, 1863, during the Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, he was nearby when commander Colonel Robert G. Shaw was shot down. Summoning all of his strength, Carney held aloft the colors and continued the charge. Having been shot several times, he kept the colors flying high, and miraculously survived the struggle. It has been estimated that over half of the regiment became casualties in this deadly engagement, which was depicted in the movie "Glory" (1989).
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
Inscription
WILLIAM H CARNEY
SGT
CO C
54 REGT
MASS INF
US CLD TRPS
FEB 29 1840
DEC 9 1908
MEDAL OF HONOR
Family Members
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