Biography of william harvey carney

Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S.

history, only 88 have been black.

In recognition of African American History Month, 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 award: Army Sgt.

William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States' greatest symbols during the Civil War -- the American flag.

Born Into Slavery

Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840.

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 that banned blacks from learning to read and write.

Carney had wanted to pursue a career in the c