William Harvey Carney

William Harvey Carney carried the colors of the 54th Massachusetts through the assault on Fort Wagner and brought them back despite severe wounds, making his action one of the defining stories of Black military service in the Civil War.

Carney was born into slavery at Norfolk, Virginia, on 29 February 1840. His family later gained freedom and moved to Massachusetts. He joined Company C, 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, one of the best-known Black regiments in Union service. On 18 July 1863, during the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, the color sergeant was shot down. Carney took the flag, advanced with it toward the fort and later carried it back as the regiment withdrew. He was wounded twice in the process.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): After the color sergeant fell at Fort Wagner, Carney took the flag forward and later brought it off the field under fierce fire despite severe wounds.

Carney's action occurred in 1863, but his Medal of Honor was not presented until 23 May 1900. His deed is often described as the earliest Medal of Honor action by an African American, although other Black recipients physically received their medals earlier. After the war he worked for many years in New Bedford, Massachusetts, including long service as a mail carrier. He died there on 9 December 1908 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

His verified rack is the Medal of Honor and Civil War Campaign Medal. No additional ribbon device is supported.