<P> William Carney , an African - American and a sergeant with the 54th , is considered the first black recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at Fort Wagner in recovering and returning the unit 's American flag to U.S. lines . After the battle , the Confederates buried the regiment 's commanding officer , Robert Gould Shaw , in a mass grave with the African - American soldiers of his regiment , viewing this as an insult to him . Instead , his family were grateful to them for burying Shaw with his men . </P>
<P> William Carney , an African - American and a sergeant with the 54th , is considered the first black recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at Fort Wagner in recovering and returning the unit 's American flag to U.S. lines . After the battle , the Confederates buried the regiment 's commanding officer , Robert Gould Shaw , in a mass grave with the African - American soldiers of his regiment , viewing this as an insult to him . Instead , his family were grateful to them for burying Shaw with his men . </P>
what famous african american regiment fought bravely at fort wagner
what famous african american regiment fought bravely at fort wagner
William Carney
William Carney