The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Alonzo Cushing to Receive Posthumous Medal of Honor

Long overdue, but a very deserved honor by a famous family of Union military folks. Alonzo Cushing's actions and death on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg earned him this honor, thanks to the unending efforts of local Delafield historian Margaret Zerwekh who started working on the project seven years ago.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh notified US Senator Russ Feingold of the honor this past week. The Congressional Medal of Honor was established in 1862 as the Civil War intensified. Of the 3,448 recipients so far, 618 have been given posthumously.

Alonzo was born Jan. 19, 1842 in Delafield, Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee but ws raised in Fredonia, New York. He had a brother named William who was quite famous for his actions in the Navy. Another brother Howard, survived the war and became a famous frontiersman. His fourth brother Milton was a Navy paymaster.

However, they should now also give one to his brother William Cushing who definitely deserves one for his actions in the war.

From Civil War Interactive Newswire and the March 3rd Living Lake Country (Wi).

A Well deserved honor. --Old B-Runner

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