William H. Carney, the First Black Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient

Nov 11 , 2025

William H. Carney, the First Black Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient

William H. Carney gripped the tattered Union flag with one hand. Bullets tore through the smoke around him. The stars and stripes weighed heavy—more than cloth. It was a symbol. Not just of a nation riven by war, but of the promise that men like him fought to preserve. Despite bleeding from deep wounds, Carney never let that flag fall to the ground. Not when the Union’s heart beat on the line.

Born in the Crucible of a Divided Nation

William Harvey Carney was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840, into a world shackled by the chains of slavery and prejudice. Though his early years are shrouded in obscurity, it’s certain his upbringing forged a resolve stronger than iron. A man of faith, Carney carried a spiritual anchor that shaped his courage—a belief that every act of bravery was a testament to God’s purpose.

He later found work in Boston, where abolitionist fervor and the promise of freedom burned bright. When war erupted, many African Americans saw combat as their crucible—proof of loyalty, humanity, and brotherhood. Carney answered the call. He enlisted February 1863 in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry—the first African American regiment organized in the North, forged in valor and sacrifice.

At Fort Wagner: The Battle That Forged a Legend

July 18, 1863. The islands of South Carolina burned under the sun. Fort Wagner stood like a fortress of defiance, guarding Charleston’s harbor. The 54th Massachusetts charged it under blistering fire. Shells exploded, men fell by the dozen. Amid the chaos, the flag bearer dropped the colors.

Without hesitation, Carney dove through enemy fire to seize the flag. Carrying the Union colors was a sacred duty—one meant to inspire and rally, not to be surrendered or hidden. Carney clutched it close, moving forward despite a bullet through his arm and another through his thigh.[1]

His voice barely a whisper in the maelstrom, Carney promised himself and his country: “Boys, I’ll never let the flag fall.” Despite staggering wounds and enemy fire, he brought that flag back up the battlefield, inspiring comrades to press on or hold fast.

Medal of Honor: A Victory Beyond the Battlefield

Six years later, in 1900, Carney received the Medal of Honor—the nation's highest military decoration—making him the first African American awarded the medal for valor during the Civil War.[2] His citation reads:

“When the color sergeant was shot down, Carney gallantly seized the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors there. When the troops fell back, he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire.”

His heroism illuminated more than his bravery; it challenged a country still grappling with racial inequality. The Medal wasn't just a decoration—it was a statement. Even in the darkest hours, courage knows no color.

Carrying the Weight of Legacy

William Carney survived the war and returned to civilian life in Boston, living quietly but never forgetting the blood-soaked soil he crossed for that flag. His story ripples across generations of veterans who carry scars visible and invisible. He reminds us that courage isn’t born in comfort—it is forged in sacrifice and faith.

Carney’s legacy is a clarion call to honor those who fought—not just as soldiers, but as men who demanded dignity amid prejudice. His example embodies the truth in James 1:12:

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life..."

For every veteran who has borne the banner through hell and back, Carney’s name is a beacon. He teaches that true victory is in holding fast—holding faith, holding honor, holding the line even when all seems lost.

His hands were wounded, his body broken, but his spirit never flagged. Like Carney, we bear our own flags—of freedom, redemption, and sacrifice—through the battles of life.

Remember the cost. Respect the scars. And never, ever let the colors touch the dirt.

Sources

[1] National Museum of African American History and Culture, "William H. Carney, Medal of Honor Recipient" [2] U.S. Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients: African American History"