William H Carney should be known as a hero and an Icon. Formerly enslaved, Carney was always a fighter and was fighting from early ages. As time progressed he and other slaves found the Underground Railroad and found freedom through there, he wanted to become a minister of a church but he heard more black men were joining to fight in the civil war. That was right up his alley.
Once joined he fought in the 1863 Battle of Fort Wagner. He at that time was promoted to Sergeant and earned a Medal of Honor. He committed many brave actions during the war. Let’s keep in mind that Carney was also enslaved and escaped through the railroad. Now this decision led him to earning one of the biggest rewards of all time.
A former slave joining the armed forces as an escapee? Yup it happened. Believe it or not he became a sergeant as well. This was not only key to cultures and politics but it shows the value that someone at that time had in Carney to not only let him led the troops into the battle of Fort Wagner but as well as winning the Medal of Honor. He was once not liked because of his race. Then becomes loved by his troops due to his actions.