During the Civil War Sergeant William H. Carney joined the fight for freedom knowing the immense risk that lay ahead of him. As a member of the famed 54th Massachusetts Regiment, Carney fought at the Battle of Fort Wagner and when the color bearer was mortally wounded, he retrieved the flag and continued forward despite multiple injuries. Almost four decades after his valorous act, Sergeant Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He is one of only twenty-two Black men to receive the honor during the Civil War and his actions are the earliest of those twenty-two to merit the Medal.

With Jenny Page, Research Manager

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is creating a home for the legacies of the recipients of the Medal of Honor, like William Carney. With this project, Americans will gather to learn and pay tribute to our country’s bravest heroes in a state-of-the-art facility. Through recipient stories of courage and valor, the Museum will inspire current and future generations to discover and develop the shared values inherent in every Medal of Honor recipient.