Alonzo Cushing Medal of Honor... Finally!

Discussion in 'Civil War' started by Kate, Aug 26, 2014.

  1. Kate

    Kate Active Member

    On September 15, President Obama will be awarding a Medal of Honor for (not "to" the way I typed this before I edited!) 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing who fell at the battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

    Cushing wouldn't leave his men after being shot a number of times. On July 3, a Confederate's bullet to the head took Cushing's life. He was 22 years old. :(
     
  2. R Leonard

    R Leonard Active Member

    And his brother was the famous William B "Albemarle" Cushing of the USN . . . who probably is also deserving of the medal . . . not the tenor of the times, though, if one peruses the list of USN personnel awarded the Medal of Honor in the late unpleasantness with our northern brethren one does not see officers.
     
  3. Kate

    Kate Active Member

    Yes... there are so many soldiers and officers that deserved such recognition.

    "Albemarle" was given a "Thank of Congress" (to offer formal thanks from the gvt) but it's not the same as a medal. It was for his plan (and execution of that plan) that sank the CSS Albemarle.

    Ended up in a "government hospital for the insane" (severe pain issues) at the age of 32. :( A third brother (Howard Bass Cushing) was killed by Apache in 1871, also age 32.

    Fourth brother, (Milton Buckingham) was a Navy paymaster and lived until a few months short of his 50th birthday.

    Sadly (at least to me) their mother, Mary, since she lived until 1891, had to bury all four of her sons as well as a daughter who died at 1 year. Only one other daughter lived to adulthood and gave birth to a few children.
     

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