William H. Carney

Branch

U.S. Army

Era

Civil War

Home state

Massachusetts

Action

Fort Wagner, South Carolina

The citation

Official 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.

Sources

• U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
• Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.