William Harvey Carney

William Harvey Carney was an American soldier during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, he went on to serve with the historic 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. During the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863, Carney performed the heroic deed of saving the regimental colors, preventing the American flag from touching the ground despite sustaining multiple severe wounds.

For his exceptional gallantry at Fort Wagner, Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900. Although his actions preceded those of any other African American Medal of Honor recipient, his medal was among the last to be officially awarded for Civil War service.

Following his military service, Carney was highly honored throughout his life and posthumously. His legacy is commemorated through numerous monuments, including a prominent statue at West Point Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, and his inclusion in the Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw on the Boston Common.