Today is the 150th Anniversary of 56th Mass assault on Battery Wagner in South Carolina. Sergeant William Harvey Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for grabbing the U.S. flag as the flag bearer fell, carrying the flag to the enemy ramparts and back, and singing "Boys, the old flag never touched the ground!" He was the first African american to be awarded the Medal The unit was reactivated on November 21, 2008 to serve as the Massachusetts National Guard ceremonial unit to render military honors at funerals and state functions. The new unit is now known as the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 01:44:31 +0000