CARNEY, WILLIAM H.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 54th Massachusetts Colored
Infantry. Place and date: At Fort Wagner, S.C., 18 July 1863. Entered service
at: New Bedford, Mass. Birth: Norfolk, Va. Date of issue: 23 May
1900.
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.