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
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
WHAM -- Wed, 05 Nov 2025 WWII soldier's remains returned home 83 years after being declared missing (video) Lyons, N.Y. (WHAM) A hometown hero had a final homecoming 83 years after he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. "It's pretty exciting, pretty emotional," said Norma... (more)
Spectrum News -- Wed, 05 Nov 2025 Long-missing WWII veteran's remains finally return home to upstate N.Y ROCHESTER, N.Y. The remains of a soldier killed 83 years ago when his plane was shot down are finally home. DNA was used to help identify the remains of Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. John Pagliuso,... (more)
Hospitality Net -- Mon, 03 Nov 2025 Correctional Crisis Spurs Hotel Boom in Upstate New York Corrections-Officer Strike & National Guard Response On February 17, 2025, thousands of corrections officers at more than 25 prisons across Upstate New York went on strike over staffing... (more)