A Fredonia soldier will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama at the White House more than 150 years after his heroism during the Civil War. First Lt. Alonzo Cushing stood his ground even after being wounded to direct his troops at his cannon location during Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.  He died at Cemetery Hill, the key spot, during the key day of the key battle of the Civil War. The South never recovered from the defeat and it turned the tide of the war in favor of the North.

What’s amazing is that despite his actions Cushing was overlooked for so long. And in an incredible irony the Medal of Honor will be presented by the first black president in American history for the actions of a soldier during a war that essentially freed Southern slaves.

Cushing is buried at West Point, NY. Members of his family will accept the medal from the President.

 

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