Medal of Honor Roll Call: Alonza H. Cushing

Army Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing stands in the center of the back row of this Matthew Brady photograph.

For 23 years, Margaret Zerwekh fought to the Medal of Honor awarded to Army Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing, for his heroism at the Battle of Gettysburg. Zerwekh felt a kinship to her fellow resident of Wisconsin’s Waukesha County. Although, his bravery in the face of withering gunfire against Pickett’s Charge was lengendary, in the Civil War the MOH was not awarded posthumously.

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In 2010, the 90-year-old learned her quest was successful.

Read The New York Times article.

 

Alonzo_Cushing
Alonzo H. Cushing

 

The award was created by an Act of Congress with the following findings:

(1) Alonzo H. Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin, on January 19, 1841.

(2) Alonzo H. Cushing graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, on June 24, 1861.

(3) On July 3, 1863, First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing commanded Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Army of the Potomac, during the Battle of Gettysburg.

(4) During the battle, First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing was shot multiple times but refused to retreat.

(5) First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing continued to command his battery until he was shot and killed.

(6) The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the key turning points in the Civil War.

(7) The Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Defense have determined that the actions of First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing do merit the award of the Medal of Honor.

Of course, he is just another hero from Wisconsin!

Make the most of your day,

RJL

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