A new graphic novel published by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) celebrates the life and service of William Carney, who received the Medal of Honor for his valiant combat actions during the Civil War.
Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840 and made his way to freedom in Massachusetts as an adult. In 1863, he joined the Union Army and in the summer of that year, participated in the Battle of Fort Wagner.
His commanding officer, Colonel Shaw, led the attack on the Confederates' fort, who opened fire on them as they charged the ramparts. Colonel Shaw was killed during the onslaught. The unit's color bearer, who carried the American flag, was injured and needed someone to claim the flag.
Carney stepped forward and took control of the flag. He contented with withering musket and cannon fire as he held the flag high where his unit could see it. During the battle, he was injured at least three times in the arm, leg, and chest. Despite his injuries, he never let go of the flag.
When he returned to friendly lines and turned the flag over to a fellow soldier, he made the now-famous statement, "The old flag never touched the ground." He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900 for his actions after he was medically discharged from the Army.
The comic book is written by industry veteran Chuck Dixon and drawn and colored by other long-time comic book talents such as Wayne VanSant and Peter Pantazis. The now long-running Medal of Honor series aims to reach out to new and younger audiences to inform and educate aboutthe valor of the battlefield.
The graphic novel is available now, free of charge, on the AUSA website.