The first act of valor by an African-American serviceman to earn the Medal of Honor occurred on July 18, 1863, during the Civil War, when Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment distinguished himself at the Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina, after the color sergeant was shot down by grasping the flag, leading the way to the parapet, planting the colors there, and then bringing off the flag under fierce fire while twice severely wounded. He later said, "Boys! he old flag never touched the ground!" From the inception of the Medal in 1861 until 2020, Medals of Honor were awarded 90 times to African-American servicemen, most for bravery in the Civil War, the conflicts with Native-American tribes in the West, and the Viet Nam War. As of 2020, the most recent award had been presented in 2014 by President Barack Obama to Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris, one of the original "Green Berets." At Chi Lang, Viet Nam, on September 17, 1969, Morris neutralized four enemy bunkers, rescued several wounded comrades, recovered the remains of a deceased platoon commander, and was wounded three times. Of these 90 awards to African-American recipients, eight are credited to servicemen from Maryland.