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| Civil War Soldier Recommended for Medal of Honor 147 years after Gettysburg |
| 2010-05-20 |
| Army 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing died on July 3, 1863, the last day of the three-day battle of Gettysburg. He was 22. The West Point graduate (Class of 1861) and his men of the Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery were defending the Union position on Cemetery Ridge against Pickett's Charge. Cushing commanded about 110 men and six cannons. The bombardment lasted two hours. Cushing was wounded in the shoulder and groin, and his battery was left with two guns and no long-range ammunition. Cushing shouted that he would take his guns to the front lines. Within minutes, he was killed by a Confederate bullet to the head. The soldier's bravery so inspired one Civil War history buff that he took up Cushing's cause by launching a Facebook page titled "Give Alonzo Cushing the Medal of Honor." After a lengthy review of historical records, the Army agreed earlier this year to recommend the medal. Shapiro, the Facebook fan, said he thought of Alonzo Cushing plenty of times last year as he faced a number of dangerous situations during a five-month stint in Iraq. "I'd think about what Cushing accomplished, what he was able to deal with at age 22," Shapiro said. "I thought if he could do that then I can certainly deal with whatever I'm facing." Sometimes remembering the past can help in the fight for a future. |
| Posted by:Anguper Hupomosing9418 |