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Congressional Medal of Honor - African Americans
Early Medal of Honor Recipients
Who was the first African American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor? Claims have been made for several soldiers. Some claim that Private Wanton won this honor in the Spanish American War. But Buffalo Soldiers won a Medal of Honor before that in the Indian Wars. Others make the Claim for Sergeant William Carney.
William Carney was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was a member of Company C, 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry. On July 18, 1863, during the Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, which involved the all-Black 54th and 55th Massachusetts Colored Regiments, Commander Robert G. Shaw was shot down. A few feet from where he fell laid Sergeant Carney. Summoning all of his strength, Carney held aloft the colors and continued the charge. Having been shot several times, he kept the colors flying high, and miraculously retreated his regiments. Although he made it out alive, many of his comrades did not. For in the deadly battle, over 1,500 Black troops died. On this day in 1900, Sergeant William H. Carney was issued the Congressional Medal of Honor, some say this made him the first Black to ever win the coveted award. It should be noted that sixteen other Black soldiers and four Black sailors eventually received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroics during the tragic epic in American history
Sgt. William Carney
9th Cavalry Regiment - Capt. Francis S. Dodge, Troop D, 1879; 2nd Lt. George R. Burnett, 1881; 2nd Lt. Matthais W. Day, Co. I, 1879; 2nd Lt. Robert T. Emmet, Co. G, 1879; 1st Sgt. Moses Williams, Co. I, 1881; Sgt. Thomas Boyne, Co. C, 1879; Sgt. John Denny, Co. B, 1879; Sgt. George Jordon, Co. K, 1880; Sgt. Henry Johnson, Co. D, 1890; Sgt. Thomas Shaw, Co. K, 1881; Sgt. Emanuel Stance, Co. F, 1870; Sgt. Brent Woods, Co. B, 1881; Corp. Clinton Greaves, Co. C, 1877; Corp. William O. Wilson, Co.I, 1890; Pvt. Augustus Walley, Co. I, 1881
10th Cavalry Regiment - Capt. Louis H. Carpenter, Co. H, 1868; 2nd Lt. Powhaten H. Clarke, 1886; Sgt. William McBryar, Co. K, 1890
10th Cavalry, Cuban Campaign - Sgt. Major Edward L. Baker, Jr.; Pvt. Dennis Bell, Troop H; Pvt. Fitz Lee, Troop M
WANTON, GEORGE H. (Considered by some to be the first African American man to receive Medal of Honor this may be due to changes in the medal's designation)
Rank and organization: Private, Troop M, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Tayabacoa, Cuba, 30 June 1898. Entered service at: Paterson, N.J. Birth: Paterson, N.J. Date of issue: 23 June 1899. Citation: Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.
World War I - Most African American combat units fought with the French Army on the Western Front. Two (Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts) were awarded the Croix de Guerre. In 1991 the CMH was awarded posthumously to Corporal Freddie Stowers for an action in the Champagne-Marne sector of France on September 28, 1918.
World War II - No Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded to African American soldiers during World War II. Some soldiers were awarded the next higher award (The Distinguished Service Cross) for feats of valor that would normally be given the CMH. This was corrected later and the CMH was awarded to the soldiers listed below
Korean War - Two 24th Infantry soldiers, Pfc. William Thompson and Sgt. Cornelius H. Charlton, were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism. They were the first black soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor since the Spanish-American War. World War II CMH Awarded Retroactively
1st Lt. John R. Fox Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regt. 92nd Infantry Div.
For extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy on 26 December, 1944, while serving as a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division. During the preceding few weeks, Lt. Fox served with the 598th Field Artillery Bn. as a forward observer. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of enemy artillery at 0400 hours on 26 December 1944, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered, most of the United States infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but Lt. Fox and some other members of his observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor of a house to direct defensive artillery fire. At 0800 hours, Lt. Fox reported that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive artillery fire to slow the enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack towards the area that Lt. Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery fire right on top of his position. After acknowledging the danger, Lt. Fox insisted that this was the last adjustment to be fired as this was the only way to defeat the enemy soldiers. Later, when a counterattack retook the position from the Germans, Lt. Fox's body was found along with approximately 100 German soldiers. Lt. Fox's gallant and courageous actions, at the supreme sacrifice of his own life, contributed greatly to delaying the enemy advance until other infantry and artillery units could reorganize to repel the attack. His extraordinary valorous actions were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service, and reflect credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter, Jr.
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 23 March 1945, near Speyer, Germany. When the tank on which he was riding received heavy bazooka and small arms fire, Sergeant Carter voluntarily attempted to lead a three-man group across an open field. Within a short time, two of his men were killed and the third seriously wounded. Continuing on alone, he was wounded five times and finally forced to take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant Carter killed six of them and captured the remaining two. He then crossed the field using as a shield his two prisoners from which he obtained valuable information concerning the disposition of enemy troops. Staff Sergeant Carter's extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the officers and men of the Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Private First Class Willy F. James, Jr.
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 7 April 1945 near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver to secure and expand a vital bridgehead, Private First Class James was the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down for over an hour, during which time he observed enemy positions in detail. Returning to his platoon, he assisted in working out a new plan of maneuver. He then led a squad in the assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy machine gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader. Private First Class James' fearless, self-assigned actions, coupled with his diligent devotion to duty exemplified the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action during the 15-19 November 1944, toward Guebling, France. Though severely wounded in the leg, Sergeant Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company in Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions through the morning of 19 November 1944. At dawn, Company A's tanks began to advance towards Bougaktroff, but were stopped by enemy fire. Sergeant Rivers, joined by another tank, opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sergeant River's tank was hit, killing him and wounding the crew. Staff Sergeant Rivers' fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of military service.
Captain Charles L. Thomas
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signaled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signaled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Private George Watson
General Order: Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943. Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life, resulted in the saving of several of his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and was drowned. Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow-man exemplify the finest traditions of military service.
Vietnam War - The Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to 20 African American soldiers. In total 244 Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded in the Vietnam War.
Gulf War - No Medals of Honor were awarded for the Gulf War.
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