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SGT Carney’s story follows:
Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black.
The first black recipient of the award is Army Sgt. William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States’ greatest symbols during the Civil War — the American flag.
Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840. His family was eventually granted freedom and moved to Massachusetts, where Carney was eager to learn and secretly got involved in academics, despite laws and restrictions that banned blacks from learning to read and write.
Carney had wanted to pursue a career in the church, but when the Civil War broke out, he decided the best way he could serve God was by serving in the military to help free the oppressed.
Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black.
The first black recipient of the award is Army Sgt. William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States’ greatest symbols during the Civil War — the American flag.
Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840. His family was eventually granted freedom and moved to Massachusetts, where Carney was eager to learn and secretly got involved in academics, despite laws and restrictions that banned blacks from learning to read and write.
Carney had wanted to pursue a career in the church, but when the Civil War broke out, he decided the best way he could serve God was by serving in the military to help free the oppressed.
Remembering SGT William H. Carney, USA
Posted from stationhypo.com
Civil War
Medal of Honor
American History
Military History
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 4
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SFC William Farrell
SSgt Rachel King Did you go to school in Massachusetts? Sgt Carney is from New Bedford, MA and is buried there. I may head over there tomorrow.
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SSgt Rachel King
Yes I did! I’m from New Bedford originally. The city has a very rich history. We are nicknamed the Whaling City and at one point in time we’re called the City that Lit the World, due to our whaling history. Moby Dick was set in and written in New Bedford. We also have the world famous Whaling Museum. SFC William Farrell
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Thanks PO1 William "Chip" Nagel. About an hour before seeing your post I was thinking of heading over to New Bedford, MA tomorrow to visit the gravesite of Sgt Carney.
On a side note to this story, Carney's unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment has been reactivated in Mass in 2008and provides funeral escort duties around the state.
On a side note to this story, Carney's unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment has been reactivated in Mass in 2008and provides funeral escort duties around the state.
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SSgt Rachel King
If you have not seen it, I recommend watching the film Glory. Sgt Carney is loosely portrayed by Morgan Freeman.
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