William Harvey Carney, born February 29, 1840 in Norfolk, Virginia, is the first African-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. During the Battle of Fort Wagner in March 1863, while serving in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, their color guard was killed. Carney retrieved the U.S. flag, keeping it from hitting the ground. He continued to march forward with it despite being shot in the arm and the leg.
He received an honorable discharge in June 1864 due to becoming disabled from his wounds. Since his heroic actions preceded those of other medal honorees, he is considered to be the first black man to receive the Medal of Honor, which he received in May 1900, thirty seven years after his actions.
He passed away in 1908.
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