African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial

African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial
Location of African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial in Delaware Show map of Delaware African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	intersection of 18th Street and Baynard Boulevard on 18th Street Brandywine/Todd Memorial Park Wilmington, Delaware
Coordinates	39°45′17.9″N 75°32′48.5″W
Built	1998
Architect	Charles Parks

The African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial is a monument dedicated to African-American recipients of the Medal of Honor since 1861. The monument, erected and dedicated in 1998 by the African American Medal of Honor Association, Inc., is located on the intersection of 18th Street and Baynard Boulevard in Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware.[1]

The sculpture on top of the monument was created by Charles Parks. It depicts Sgt. William Harvey Carney, who was the first African-American to receive the distinction, for his gallantry in saving the regimental colors (American Flag) during the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863,[2] and Private Milton L. Olive, who was the first black recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, when he sacrificed himself, age 18, by smothering a live grenade.[3] As of 2020, there have been more than 3,500 military service members that have earned the Medal of Honor. Of those 3,500 recipients, only 92 have been African-American men.[4] Only major acts of heroism are recognized by the Medal of Honor award.

References

1. "African American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial Historical Marker". Retrieved 2018-11-23.
2. "Meet Sgt. William Carney: The first African-American Medal of Honor recipient". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
3. Spivey, Donald (2014-05-29). Step Forward The Hero: The Story of Milton L. Olive, III, First African American Awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. Miami & Johannesburg: Freedom Words International Publishers. ISBN 9780692230329.
4. "VFW Honors African-American Medal of Honor Recipients". www.vfw.org. Retrieved 2022-10-29.

External links

• African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial on the Historical Marker Database