Civil War officer approved for Medal of Honor

1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing died at Gettysburg

A Civil War officer who died defending the Union position at Gettysburg will be awarded the Medal of Honor. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Secretary of the Army John McHugh has formally approved the request to bestow the Honor posthumously to 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing, a West Point graduate from Delafield, Wis., who died on the final day of the three day battle while leading his unit in an all-out push against the Confederates at Cemetery Ridge in Pickett's Charge. Cushing was 22 when he died.

Some formal steps remain in the process, but the Medal of Honor award is to be made official this summer.

Cushing's hometown has long recognized Cushing's contributions. A monument stands in Cushing Memorial Park to honor him and two of his brothers — Naval Cmdr. William Cushing and Army 1st Lt. Howard Cushing.


Read the entire AP article
on 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing

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