Meet the Gettysburg Veteran That Received the Medal of Honor Today:
Earlier this afternoon, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for his heroic acts of bravery while serving as an artillery commander during the Civil War.
On July 3, 1863, Lieutenant Cushing went above and beyond the call of duty when fighting against Confederate forces. Even after being struck twice, he refused to abandon his command. As a result, his gallant efforts helped open wide gaps in the Union’s line of command.
The Medal of Honor is typically awarded within a few years of the action, but as the President noted, “sometimes even the most extraordinary stories can get lost in the passage of time.” At today's ceremony, the President was joined by more than two dozen of Lieutenant Cushing's family members. Helen Loring Ensign, a cousin twice removed of the Lieutenant, accepted the award on his behalf.
Typically, the Medal of Honor is awarded within a few years of the action, but as the President noted, "sometimes even the most extraordinary stories can get lost in the passage of time."
"For this American family, this story isn’t some piece of obscure history -- it is an integral part of who they are," he said. "And today, our whole nation shares their pride, and celebrates what this story says about who we are."
Watch the President's full remarks here.
President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor for Civil War Union Army First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing to Cushing's cousin, Helen Ensign in the Roosevelt Room of the White House,Nov. 6, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) |
