The White House announced on Tuesday it would award the Medal of Honor to an Army officer who distinguished himself during the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg more than 151 years ago.
Army artillery officer 1st Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing continued to issue orders despite being wounded numerous times in the bloody battle, and will receive the posthumous award on Sep. 15. According to the Washington Post, relatives of Cushing and others have spent decades lobbying on the soldier's behalf.
“First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions while serving as commanding officer of Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. Cushing distinguished himself during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1863.”
A graduate of West Point, Cushing was just 22-years-old when he was killed in the battle. On the battle's third day, Cushing's unit faced the Confederate "Pickett's Charge" and his artillery battery took heavy losses. Read More