ecognition, Honor, and Leadership were some of the prime reasons for Black Americans wanting to serve in the U. S. Military. The Civil War hero, Sergeant William Carney of the "54TH COLORED INFANTRY" was the first African American to receive the U. S. Military's highest decoration - the Medal of Honor. His recognition and popularity as a U. S. Military Man led other Black Americans to model after him and seek this type of national embrace and acceptance.