In my last blog I began to tell the story of William Carney. He was a Sergeant in the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry and earned his Medal of Honor, said to be the first ever to a Black recipient, for actions at Fort Wagner.
Prior to the attack on the heavily protected Confederate fort Carney's commanding officer called out for a volunteer. That man's job was to always be near the Colour Bearer and, if that bearer was shot down, the volunteer.... Carney... must rescue it before it hit the ground and obviously keep it out of enemy hands.
Past blogs have told you about these duties and their importance to the troop commanders, be it in simple field movements or in the face of the enemy.
At Fort Wagner the Colour bearer was quickly shot down and Carey rushed to capture the flag and had it flying high throughout the entire battle.
Carney did this despite having already been wounded in both legs, a hand and the side of his face. After the retreat from the battle he gave back the flag to his commanding officer.
Prior to the attack on the heavily protected Confederate fort Carney's commanding officer called out for a volunteer. That man's job was to always be near the Colour Bearer and, if that bearer was shot down, the volunteer.... Carney... must rescue it before it hit the ground and obviously keep it out of enemy hands.
Past blogs have told you about these duties and their importance to the troop commanders, be it in simple field movements or in the face of the enemy.
At Fort Wagner the Colour bearer was quickly shot down and Carey rushed to capture the flag and had it flying high throughout the entire battle.
Carney did this despite having already been wounded in both legs, a hand and the side of his face. After the retreat from the battle he gave back the flag to his commanding officer.
This image shows Sgt Carney with his Regimental Colours, the very flag the regiment was presented with, back at home before they all marched off to war.
His superior officers recommended that he be awarded the Medal Of Honor. The recommendation when up through several higher and higher authorities and was finally supported by the US Congress. The nomination now needed one final signature... The President of the United States. But that took a bit of time, as evidenced below.
While this pension document shows the date of William Carney's heroism had been documented to have been in July of 1863, it was actually not approved until 37 years later.
One of these days I shall investigate why the ridiculous length of the delay occurred.
One of these days I shall investigate why the ridiculous length of the delay occurred.
This is a picture of Sgt Carney after his 1900 award being issued. No doubt the above earlier version shown was also presented to him. But here we see him looking quite dapper and smart and wearing a later version of the army's Medal of Honor.
He had to wait 37 years to get the medal, and only got to wear it for 8 years before passing away in December 1908.
While the last and this blog noted that William Carney was the first Black recipient to GET the Medal of Honor, this is what most citations on the internet tell us. Each is technically not correct. While his actions resulting in being nominated predates the actions of all other Black recipients, there were in fact at least 20 other Blacks nominated and actually GETTING their Medals of Honor before Sgt Carney got his.
He had to wait 37 years to get the medal, and only got to wear it for 8 years before passing away in December 1908.
While the last and this blog noted that William Carney was the first Black recipient to GET the Medal of Honor, this is what most citations on the internet tell us. Each is technically not correct. While his actions resulting in being nominated predates the actions of all other Black recipients, there were in fact at least 20 other Blacks nominated and actually GETTING their Medals of Honor before Sgt Carney got his.
Sgt Carney died at a Boston Hospital in 1908 and now rests at a cemetery in Bedford Mass.
This memorial in Boston depicts 25 yr.old Lt.Colonel Shaw leading his 54th Massachusetts Regiment on the march. It is part of a larger memorial depicting the famous Colonel and his troops, possibly even on the march to the gathering point where they formed up to attack Fort Wagner.
Here is the same memorial but, stepping back somewhat.
And here we see the state capital buildings at the top end of the heavy blue line. At the bottom end is where the Canadian Consulate General's office is located on Copley Place.. And in that immediate area stands the 54th Massachusetts Memorial.
In the days to come I will again make a contact with this office and this time advise of the importance to Canada, of the 60 or more Canadians that fought with the 54th at Fort Wagner. Perhaps a ceremony is due for us as Canadians to honour our fallen soldiers with those of the US at this famous battle.
In the days to come I will again make a contact with this office and this time advise of the importance to Canada, of the 60 or more Canadians that fought with the 54th at Fort Wagner. Perhaps a ceremony is due for us as Canadians to honour our fallen soldiers with those of the US at this famous battle.
Here we see another memorial to honor black Medal of Honor recipients. This one is in Wilmington Delaware and has several panels listing men from the various battles going back to Civil War days. It was created and unveiled in 1998 by the African American Medal of Honor Association Inc.
On top two soldiers are depicted. On the right of course is Sgt William Carney holding his precious flag. Note the use of what appears to be a cane. And recall that he was wounded in both legs. The second statute depicts the first American Black soldier killed in Vietnam. His name was is Milton Olive and was with a handful of fellow airborne men going through the jungle when a grenade was tossed in at them. To protect his mates he grabbed the grenade and laid down on it to shield his comrades.
He was only 18 years old, when he gave his life for his country.
There are several panels on this monument, containing less than 100 Black men's names. 100 Medals of Honor while the whites got about 1,450.
And among them can be found the names of Joseph Noil, Joachim Pease, and Robert Sweeney. All men whom have been highlighted here in earlier blogs.
There is still more to be said on this topic, but I'll save that till next Sunday.
Please join me then,
Bart
On top two soldiers are depicted. On the right of course is Sgt William Carney holding his precious flag. Note the use of what appears to be a cane. And recall that he was wounded in both legs. The second statute depicts the first American Black soldier killed in Vietnam. His name was is Milton Olive and was with a handful of fellow airborne men going through the jungle when a grenade was tossed in at them. To protect his mates he grabbed the grenade and laid down on it to shield his comrades.
He was only 18 years old, when he gave his life for his country.
There are several panels on this monument, containing less than 100 Black men's names. 100 Medals of Honor while the whites got about 1,450.
And among them can be found the names of Joseph Noil, Joachim Pease, and Robert Sweeney. All men whom have been highlighted here in earlier blogs.
There is still more to be said on this topic, but I'll save that till next Sunday.
Please join me then,
Bart
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