Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army

Alonzo H Cushing

Details
  • Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
  • Unit/Command:
    Battery A,
    4th U.S. Artillery
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: July 3, 1863
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Citation

First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing distinguished himself by acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an artillery commander in Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3rd, 1863 during the American Civil War. That morning, Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee began cannonading First Lieutenant Cushing’s position on Cemetery Ridge. Using field glasses, First Lieutenant Cushing directed fire for his own artillery battery. He refused to leave the battlefield after being struck in the shoulder by a shell fragment. As he continued to direct fire, he was struck again — this time suffering grievous damage to his abdomen. Still refusing to abandon his command, he boldly stood tall in the face of Major General George E. Pickett’s charge and continued to direct devastating fire into oncoming forces. As the Confederate forces closed in, First Lieutenant Cushing was struck in the mouth by an enemy bullet and fell dead beside his gun. His gallant stand and fearless leadership inflicted severe casualties upon Confederate forces and opened wide gaps in their lines, directly impacting the Union force’s ability to repel Pickett’s charge. First Lieutenant Cushing’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his own life are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac, and the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Recipient Alonzo H. Cushing
Medal of Honor Recipient Alonzo H. Cushing
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: West Point, Orange County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: November 6, 2014

    The White House presented by President Barack Obama to his 1st cousin, twice removed, Heling Loring Ensign

  • Born: January 19, 1841, Delafield, Waukesha County, WI, United States
  • Died: July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, PA, United States
  • Buried: U.S. Military Academy Cemetery, West Point, NY, United States
 

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