Our Way Black History Fact covers the first Black Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. William Carney, and the story behind his heroism.
Right now, it is time for the Way Black History Fact. In Today's Way Black History Fact is sponsored by Major Threads for innovative, fashionable sportswear, checkmajorthreads dot com and Today's Way Black History Facts Come Fact. It comes from Army dot Mil. Meet Sergeant William Carney, the first African American Medal of Honor recipient. These are the words of Katie Lange DoD News Defense Media Activity. All right, here we go. Of the three thousand, four hundred and ninety eight service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout US history, only eighty eight have been black. I want to read that one more time. Please. Of the three thousand, four hundred and ninety eight service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout US history, only eighty eight have been black. In recognition of African American history, we're sharing the stories of the brave men who so gallantly risked and gave their lives for others, even in times when others weren't willing to do the same. In return, we'll start with the first Black recipient of the word, Army Sergeant William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States's greatest symbols during the Civil War, the American flag. Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in eighteen forty. 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 of ban 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 be oppressed. In March eighteen sixty three, Carney joined the Union Army and was attached to Company C. Fifty fourth Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment, the first official black unit recruited for the Union in the North. Forty other black men served with him, including two of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglas's sons. Within a few months, Carnee's training would be put to the ultimate test during the unit's first major combat mission in Charleston, South Carolina, on July eighteenth, eighteen sixty three. The soldiers of Carney's regiment led the charge on Fort Wagner. During the battle, the unit's color guard was shot. Carney, who was just a few feet away, saw the dying man stumble, and he scrambled to catch the falling flag. Despite suffering several serious gunshot wounds himself, Carney kept the symbol of the Union held high as he crawled up the hill to the walls of Fort Wagner, urging his fellow troops to follow him. He planted the flag in the sand at the base of the fort and held it upright until his near lifeless body was rescued. Even then, though he didn't give it up. Many witnesses said, Carney refused to give the flag to his rescuers, holding it tighter until, with assistance, he made it to the Union's temporary barracks. Carney lost a lot of blood and nearly lost his life, but not once did he allow the flag to touch the ground. His heroics inspired other soldiers that day and recruit to the Norse Securing the victory at Fort Wagner, Carne was promoted to the rank of sergeant for his actions. For his bravery, Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor on May twenty third, nineteen hundred Parnee's legacy serves as a shining example of the patriotism that Americans felt at the time, despite the color of their skin. As for the fifty fourth Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment in which Carney served, it was disestablished long ago but reactivated in two thousand and eight. It now serves as a National Guard ceremonial unit that renders honorary funerals and state functions. It was even invited to march and President Barack Obama's inaugural parade. Real quick, it's important for me to share that for folks said no, the United States flag is not supposed to touch the ground, and if it does touch the ground, the right way to dispose of the United States Flag is to burn it. For people that were so hell bent on giving Kaepernick a hard time about disrespecting the flag, please read the United States Flag Code, because I can almost guarantee you that you disrespect the flag almost every single day.