First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing
On September 15, President Obama will award the Medal of Honor—the highest military decoration in the US Armed Forces—to a Civil War soldier. First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, during the Confederate assault known as Pickett’s Charge. In this engagement, Cushing’s artillery battery took heavy fire from the Confederate line. Cushing was hit several times and severely wounded, but he refused to leave his post despite “horses and men falling all around” from the hail of bullets. He continued to command his battery and defended his position until he was killed by a bullet that struck him in the mouth and throat. Cushing saw significant action in the Civil War prior to Gettysburg, and had earned three promotions by Brevet; his last, to Lieutenant Colonel, was given at Gettysburg.
From the White House press release:
“First Lieutenant Cushing was killed in action on July 3, 1863, at the age of 22. On that day, the third day of the battle, in the face of Longstreet’s Assault, also known as Pickett’s Charge, First Lieutenant Cushing’s battery took a severe pounding by Confederate artillery. As the rebel infantry advanced, he manned the only remaining, and serviceable, field piece in his battery. During the advance, he was wounded in the stomach as well as in the right shoulder. Refusing to evacuate to the rear despite his severe wounds, he directed the operation of his lone field piece continuing to fire in the face of the enemy. With the rebels within 100 yards of his position, Cushing was shot and killed during this heroic stand. His actions made it possible for the Union Army to successfully repulse the Confederate assault. First Lieutenant Cushing is buried with full honors at his alma mater, West Point.“
Normally, the Medal of Honor must be awarded within two years of the qualifying action, but efforts by Cushing’s descendants and Civil War historians resulted in an exception being granted. Cushing’s Medal of Honor was approved in 2010, but only this past January was the citation finally forwarded to the President for approval and presentation. Along with Cushing, the Medal of Honor will also be bestowed belatedly on two other Army veterans, Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins and Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, who both fought in the Vietnam War.