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March 15, 2012

Sergeant William H. Carney
Sergeant William H. Carney,
first black Medal of Honor winner.

First Black Medal of Honor Winner

Sergeant William H. Carney of Company C of the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, became the first African American awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest combat service medal.

Sergeant Carney was advancing with his regiment during an attack on Fort Wagner, S.C., on July 18, 1863, during the Civil War.

The unit's flag bearer was shot down by Confederate soldiers, defending the fort. Carney grabbed the flag and hoisted it on Fort Wagner's parapet.

 A volley of Confederate gunfire cut down Sergeant Carney, but he held onto the flag without it ever touching the ground.

He collapsed, surrounded by his cheering comrades.  Carney said, "Men, I only did my duty. The flag never touched the ground." He received the Medal of Honor in 1900.  The heroic effort of the 54th Massachusetts, the first official all-colored U.S. Army unit, received widespread attention in the Academy Award-winning 1989 film, Glory.

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