Ken Harbaugh tells the stories of service members who have distinguished themselves through an act of valor. These stories feature recipients from the Civil War to present day, including a few who were originally overlooked for the medal.
Born in 1841, Alonzo Hereford Cushing was raised in Fredonia, NY and graduated from West Point in 1861. He would go on to fight in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War against the Confederates. Cushing’s valiant actions would help to turn the tide during Pickett’s Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg, and eventually earn him the Medal of Honor.
Welcome to the Medal of Honor podcast, brought to you in partnership with the National Medal of Honor Museum. I’m Ken Harbaugh. In each episode, we’ll learn about a different service member who has distinguished him or herself through an act of valor.
First Lieutenant Alonzo Hereford Cushing was born on January 19th, 1841, in Wisconsin, but was raised in Fredonia, New York. He attended West Point and graduated in 1861.
During the Civil War, Cushing served in the Army of the Potomac, taking part in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. He fought in Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Following the Battle of Chancellorsville, Cushing received an honorary promotion to Brevet Major. Cushing was also a staff officer for General Sumner and a topographical engineer.
In 1863, Cushing served as Battery Commander of the 4th U.S. Artillery’s Battery A during the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was a major turning point, and one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted to capitalize on his success in Chancellorsville with another invasion of the North. The Army of the Potomac, led by Major General George Meade, moved to stop them near the small village of Gettysburg.
In the battle, Cushing’s battery occupied an advantageous position on Cemetery Ridge. As rebel infantry prepared to seize the ridge, they launched their artillery volleys at the Union position, wounding Cushing in the shoulder with a shell fragment. Cushing continued to direct his cannons back at the Confederates, taking another wound to the abdomen. As the fighting continued, all of the battery’s officers were killed and only two cannons worked, leaving Cushing. Refusing to relinquish command despite his wounds, Cushing held his ground as over 12 thousand rebel infantry assaulted the ridge to break the Union defenses, an attack later known as Pickett’s Charge. As the Confederates drew within 100 yards, Cushing was killed by the three bullets. His determination helped lead to the defeat of Pickett’s Charge, and the ultimate victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Cushing is buried at his alma mater, West Point, and received a posthumous promotion to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel.
In 2014, 151 years later, Cushing was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The award was accepted by two dozen members of his extended family.
The Medal of Honor podcast is a production of Evergreen Podcasts.
Nathan Corson is our producer and engineer, León Pescador is our associate producer, and I’m Ken Harbaugh.
We are proud to support the National Medal of Honor Museum. To learn more, and to support their mission, go to mohmuseum.org. Thanks for listening.
