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Lawrence Rowland speaks about the history of Petty Officer 1st Class William Pinckney at the Beaufort National Cemetery, Feb. 10. - Lawrence Rowland speaks about the history of Petty Officer 1st Class William Pinckney at the Beaufort National Cemetery, Feb. 10. During the ceremony, a new headstone was unveiled which gave proper recognition to Pinckney's Navy Cross, the second highest award for valor. Pinckney was awarded the Navy Cross during World War II when he saved the life of an unconscious Sailor after a bomb exploded below the flight deck of their ship. At the time of the award, Pinckney was only the second African American in U.S. Navy history to receive the award.