This is the 2nd of the series of caches dedicated to real heroes who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, our country's highest military honor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty". The 1st series highlighted Delaware's MOH recipients. Of the millions who have served in the military, only about 3500 men and 1 woman have received our nation's highest honor.
William Harvey Carney (February 29, 1840 – December 9, 1908) was an American soldier during the American Civil War. Born enslaved, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900 for his gallantry in saving the regimental colors during the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863. The action for which he received the Medal of Honor preceded that of any other African American Medal of Honor recipient; however, his medal was actually one of the last to be awarded for Civil War service. Some African Americans received the Medal of Honor as early as April 1865.