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Sergeant William H. Carney was one of 600 men who enlisted in the 54th MA Colored Infantry, the first African-American regiment raised in a free northern state east of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. On July 18, 1863, the 54th MA spearheaded the Union assault on Ft. Wagner, S.C.When the color bearer was killed, Sergeant Carney threw down his rifle, picked up the colors, and led the attack on the fort. Although wounded multiple times, Sergeant Carney maintained the colors atop a parapet and later returned the colors safely to the regiment.For these feats he became the first African-American to perform in a combat action that resulted in the awarding of the Medal of Honor!