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Download full resolution image Guard Honors African-American Civil War Soldier

Guard Honors African-American Civil War Soldier

MENANDS, NY-A New York Army National Guard Color Guard joins Civil War reenactors and members of the Patriot Guard, in honoring Civil War Soldier 1st Sgt. William Francis, a member of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first Black unit to fight in the Union Army. Local Civil War historians identified Francis' unmarked grave at historic Albany Rural Cemetery and arranged for the Veterans Administration to provide a new stone to mark his final resting place.
Francis, who enlisted as a private, served throughout the Civil War, including the 54th's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, made famous in the 1989 movie "Glory".

DMNA Press Releases

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NY National Guard In the News

WarHistoryNetwork -- Wed, 17 Dec 2025 William Wild Bill Donovan: Americas Spymaster in WWII War The behind-the-scenes story of how a World War I hero helped to strengthen U.S.-British ties and forged the beginnings of todays CIA. This article appears in: Winter 2013 On July 14, 1940,... (more)

Morning-Times -- Tue, 16 Dec 2025 Towanda graduate promoted to Lt. Colonel in NY Army National Guard LATHAM, N.Y. Former Bradford County resident Charles Ackley was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Dec. 12 ceremony at New York Army National... (more)

Rome Sentinel -- Tue, 16 Dec 2025 ACHIEVEMENT: Boonville resident top enlisted leader for Buffalo-based brigade BUFFALO New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Morgan Cady, a Boonville resident and Iraq War veteran, became the senior enlisted leader of the Guards 153rd Troop Command Brigade... (more)

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Dated: Fri, Apr 23, 2010 @ 14:10