March 27, 2026, 4:00 a.m. ET
Kashif Choudhury and fellow New Bedford High School JROTC members fold a replica of a 33 star American flag in preparation for a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Students look on as members of the New Bedford High School JROTC hoist an American flag during a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Superintendent Andrew O’Leary speaks to students on the historical significance of Sgt. William H. Carney during a National Medal of Honor Day ceremony held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Carney Academy students pledge allegiance to the flag during a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
A comic book documenting the heroic efforts of Sgt. William H. Carney as given to students during a ceremony on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Students look on as members of the New Bedford High School JROTC prepare to hoist an American flag during a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Members of the New Bedford High School flag raising detail team hoist a 33 star American flag during a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Superintendent Andrew O’Leary speaks to students on the historical significance of 35 star American flag which Sgt. William H. Carney carried into battle during a National Medal of Honor Day ceremony held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
Students look on as members of the New Bedford High School JROTC hoist an American flag during a ceremony honoring Sgt. William H. Carney on National Medal of Honor Day held at Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. William Harvey Carney was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor which he did in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
A beam of light coming from the windows above shines on a teacher as she walks past a mural of Carney Academy Elementary School’s namesake, SGT William H. Carney, the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor. William Harvey Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900 for his gallantry during the Civil War at the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863 and is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford.
PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
