Born Into Bondage
William Harvey Carney was born enslaved on February 29, 1840, in Norfolk, Virginia. The systemic denial of freedom and opportunity defined his early life. Despite the constraints of slavery, Carney managed to learn to read and write—an illegal and dangerous pursuit for African Americans in the antebellum South. His literacy would become a source of strength, reflecting a determined mind already preparing to defy expectations.
In the late 1850s, Carney and his family escaped bondage, settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The thriving abolitionist community there became fertile ground for his personal development. Originally intending to enter the ministry, Carney found that the national crisis of the Civil War offered another path to serve both God and country—through military service.
On #MedalofHonorMonday, we remember Sgt. William H. Carney, who became the first Black Medal of Honor recipient for his heroism at Fort Wagner.
He inspired others by risking his life to ensure the flag never touched the ground. #NationalVeteransAndMilitaryFamilyMonth pic.twitter.com/JMoLXv9cJA
— RecruitMilitary (@RecruitMilitary) November 25, 2024
Answering the Call
Following President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, the Union Army began recruiting African American soldiers. In March of that year, Carney enlisted in the newly formed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment—the first official Black regiment raised in the North.
Led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and composed entirely of Black enlisted men with white officers, the 54th Massachusetts stood as a bold counterpoint to Confederate claims that African Americans would not fight. The unit quickly became a symbol of courage and equality in the face of entrenched racism and doubters on both sides of the conflict.
The Battle of Fort Wagner
On July 18, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts led a frontal assault on Fort Wagner, a heavily fortified Confederate stronghold guarding Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. As the regiment charged across open beach under a withering hail of artillery and gunfire, the unit’s color bearer was struck down.
Carney, already wounded, seized the U.S. flag before it could hit the ground. Despite being shot multiple times, he carried the banner forward, rallying the troops amid the chaos. He managed to plant the flag at the base of the fort and later, while retreating under fire, held onto it through additional injuries. Upon returning to Union lines, he reportedly said, “Boys, the old flag never touched the ground.”
His actions during the battle preserved the regiment’s colors—a symbol of unity and morale—and inspired both his fellow soldiers and the nation.
A Historic Medal of Honor
Carney was promoted to the rank of sergeant for his bravery. However, it would take decades for the full weight of his heroism to be officially recognized. On May 23, 1900, nearly 37 years after the assault on Fort Wagner, Carney received the Medal of Honor.
The citation read in part: “When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag… under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.”
Carney’s actions in July 1863 make him the first African American whose deeds merited the nation’s highest military decoration. His valor marked a pivotal moment in the long struggle for racial equality in the U.S. armed forces.
Life After the War
Carney was honorably discharged in 1864 due to the severity of his wounds. Returning to New Bedford, he resumed civilian life with dignity and purpose. He worked for several decades as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service—becoming one of the first African American letter carriers in Massachusetts—and later as a messenger at the Massachusetts State House.
In addition to his civil service, Carney remained active in veterans’ affairs and education. He spoke often about the importance of Black military service and civic responsibility, especially to young people. He was also involved in various fraternal and charitable organizations that supported African American communities.
Carney died on December 9, 1908, from complications after an elevator accident. He was buried with full military honors in Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford, where his gravestone is inscribed with the words “Medal of Honor”.
Enduring Legacy
William H. Carney’s story is one of profound bravery and enduring principle. His commitment to preserving the Union flag under fire served not only as an act of wartime gallantry but as a powerful symbol of African American patriotism in an era when their humanity was still fiercely contested.
Today, his legacy endures in schools, monuments, and military commemorations. Carney’s actions at Fort Wagner helped change the course of public opinion about Black soldiers and laid the groundwork for a more inclusive vision of American heroism.
His life reminds us that courage is not confined by race or rank. It is defined by action—and in William Carney’s case, by a flag that never touched the ground.
Bonus Graphic Novel
SOFREP is proud to be partnering with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to bring you this free graphic novel highlighting the bravery of William H. Carney. It is part of their Medal of Honor Graphic Novel Series, and we sincerely thank them for sharing it with all of us.
https://77a9072e.flowpaper.com/MoHWilliamCarney/#page=1