Civil War Officer Awarded Medal of Honor

[Linda Anderson]

"President Barack Obama on Thursday recognized the heroism of a Union Army officer who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, an honor that was more than 150 years in the making.
"Obama said he was mindful that he may not be president today if it weren't for the bravery of First Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing and his fellow troops as he awarded First Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing a posthumous Medal of Honor."

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/06/ci...d%3D558859

[RJNorton]

Linda, thank you so much for posting this!

There is video of the event here.

[Linda Anderson]

Thanks, Roger. How brave First Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing was and he was only 22.

[HerbS]

Never too late!He was not forgotten was he?I researched a civil war MOH winner from Clayton,NY, who gave his medal back!He felt that his friend should have got one also.

[Jim Garrett]

The story of Cushing's heroism at the apex of Pickett's Charge is epic. He was awarded a Bvt. Lt. Col. promotion for his valor. The imagery of him being held upright by Sgt Fuger, holding his intestines in is among the most profound and deeply moving moments of the high water mark.

An interesting note, Alonzo had a brother who was a decorate naval officer. The Cushing brothers hold the distinction of being the only siblings buried at their respective academies. Alonzo at West Point, William at Annapolis. To be interred at one of the academies is among the highest recognition of service and valor. Well deserved.

[HerbS]

Thanks for the great info on the Cushings!

[Wild Bill]

FYI, Alonzo's brother William B., was a US naval officer (Lieutenant) who took powered picket Boat #1, described as a steam launch (sort of an oversized powered long row boat), and sunk the CSS Albemarle in the Roanoke River in NC. The Albemarle has just cleared the NC bays of Union blockading ships. Cushing steamed up to the Albemarle at night and put a spar torpedo (an explosive charge on a long rod) under its hull. Only he and one other seaman survived the blast. Later Cushing fought with the marine contingent in the taking of Ft. Fisher at Wilmington. He stayed in the Navy after the war and suffered a natural death as a Commander, still in the service.

Gutsy pair of brothers.

[HerbS]

Oh Yeah!They were gutsy allright!