A legendary regiment is reborn

November 21, 2008 08:09 PM Email| Comments (5)| Text size – +

Carl Cruz of New Bedford is a descendant of America's first black Medal of Honor winner, Sgt. William Carney.

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

As the generals talked, the soldiers marched, the band played, and the governor spoke, Carl Cruz sat quietly today in Nurses Hall at the State House, holding a framed piece of family and Massachusetts history.

Cruz's great-uncle was a Civil War hero, one of the African-Americans from Massachusetts who were formed into the 54th Colored Infantry Regiment, the first regiment in American history to allow men of color to fight for their country.

The 54th, which was featured in recent years in the award-winning movie "Glory," was officially reborn today as the honor guard for the Massachusetts National Guard.

"It's very, very humbling,'' Cruz, a New Bedford resident, said after the ceremony. "It's a very proud day.”

Cruz's relative, Sergeant William H. Carney, was a member of the original 54th. Carney won the Congressional Medal of Honor when he rescued the American flag during the brutal battle for Fort Wagner in South Carolina in 1863.

The State House ceremony also honored 31 Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard units that have been activated and sent overseas in recent years to serve in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

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5 comments so far...

Bravo - and thank you, Sgt. William Carney, for your service and sacrifice.

Posted by Grateful November 21, 08 08:51 PM

A very Noteworthy Event. The nurse and Mother of the 54th & 55th, was the wife of 1st. Sgt. William H.W. Gray of Co. C of the 54th Inf. Her name is Martha Elizabeth (Bush) Gray. Her GrandNiece still lives at 106 years. She and I lived down the street (i.e. Wabash Ave.) in Chicago, Il. from the Governor's mother and grandparents in the 1940's.

Posted by Randall Bush Pollard November 21, 08 10:09 PM

Why an honor gaurd ? We need soldiers that fight

Posted by red November 22, 08 08:19 AM

An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial escort, often military in nature, usually composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity. Only those persons who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct and show aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered. The primary purpose of an honor guard is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades. An honor guard may also serve as the "guardians of the colors". They present a nation's colors for various ceremonies and official state functions, both on and off base. Additionally, honor guards serve as ambassadors to the public, presenting a positive image of their service, and assisting with the recruiting effort. Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded by the U.S. 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Posted by easternave November 22, 08 10:36 AM

Can't your news staff get it right. The Medal of Honor is given to a "recipient"
and not a "winner" , that is the proper term . Poor journalism......

Posted by Dennis Demers November 22, 08 01:44 PM