A MedAl of Honor Pioneer
Lesson 4:
A Medal of Honor Pioneer In the first lesson of the Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma program, we learned about the significance of flags during the Civil War and that 138 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions involving the saving or planting of the Union flag during that time. One of these recipients was 23-year old, Sgt. William Carney. Sergeant William Carney was a member of, and trained with, the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry’s C Company. During his unit’s assault on Fort Wagner, Carney picked up the National flag after the color bearer was killed and carried it to the top of the parapet, where he used it to rally and inspire his men. Due to high losses, the regiment was forced to retreat and Carney carried the flag to safety despite three crippling wounds. In all the fighting, Carney never once let the flag touch the ground. For his act he was awarded the Medal of Honor, one of 18 received by African Americans during the Civil War. Though recommended for the Medal of Honor right after the attack and approved during the war, Carney did not actually receive his Medal until 1903; however, he was the first African American approved for the honor. In this image from the late 19th century, you see Sergeant William Carney holding the remnant of the national flag he saved at Battery Wagner. Note he is holding a cane, which was needed after he was twice shot in the legs during the attack. From the Army Heritage and Education Center This lesson is part of the free Newspapers in Education program “Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma”. Contact Jamie Jenkins at [email protected] for more information. Newspapers for this educational program provided by:
A Medal of Honor Pioneer In the first lesson of the Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma program, we learned about the significance of flags during the Civil War and that 138 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions involving the saving or planting of the Union flag during that time. One of these recipients was 23-year old, Sgt. William Carney. Sergeant William Carney was a member of, and trained with, the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry’s C Company. During his unit’s assault on Fort Wagner, Carney picked up the National flag after the color bearer was killed and carried it to the top of the parapet, where he used it to rally and inspire his men. Due to high losses, the regiment was forced to retreat and Carney carried the flag to safety despite three crippling wounds. In all the fighting, Carney never once let the flag touch the ground. For his act he was awarded the Medal of Honor, one of 18 received by African Americans during the Civil War. Though recommended for the Medal of Honor right after the attack and approved during the war, Carney did not actually receive his Medal until 1903; however, he was the first African American approved for the honor. In this image from the late 19th century, you see Sergeant William Carney holding the remnant of the national flag he saved at Battery Wagner. Note he is holding a cane, which was needed after he was twice shot in the legs during the attack. From the Army Heritage and Education Center This lesson is part of the free Newspapers in Education program “Serving America, Honoring Oklahoma”. Contact Jamie Jenkins at [email protected] for more information. Newspapers for this educational program provided by:
