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Let's start #BlackHistoryMonth with the story of William Carney.
While some 3,500 Americans have earned the Medal of Honor, only 90 are black. Of those 90, William was the first.
Let's start #BlackHistoryMonth with the story of William Carney.
While some 3,500 Americans have earned the Medal of Honor, only 90 are black. Of those 90, William was the first.
[2 of 4]
Born a slave, William was part of Union charge on Fort Wagner during the Civil War in July, 1863, with the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment [depicted in the 1989 Denzel Washington film "Glory."].
Born a slave, William was part of Union charge on Fort Wagner during the Civil War in July, 1863, with the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment [depicted in the 1989 Denzel Washington film "Glory."].
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During that siege, William saw the regimental color guard fall, hit by a Confederate bullet. William scrambled to catch the falling flag.
Wounded several times, William refused to let the regimental colors (the American flag) touch the ground or fall into enemy hands.
During that siege, William saw the regimental color guard fall, hit by a Confederate bullet. William scrambled to catch the falling flag.
Wounded several times, William refused to let the regimental colors (the American flag) touch the ground or fall into enemy hands.
[END]
William Harvey Carney: "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!"
#Legend
William Harvey Carney: "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!"
#Legend
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