Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army
William Harvey Carney
Details
- Rank: Sergeant
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
Company C,
54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: July 18, 1863
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Fort Wagner, South Carolina, USA
Citation
When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: May 23, 1900
- Born: February 29, 1840, Norfolk, Norfolk County, VA, United States
- Died: December 9, 1908, New Bedford, MA, United States
- Buried: Oak Grove Cemetery (MH) (LL-78), New Bedford, MA, United States